Canada geese are a common sight in Phoenix, AZ. They are also a common nuisance. These birds can leave an awful mess in their wake with their droppings. They can also cause turf damage when they graze. Geese are often attracted to lawns, golf courses, and parks because these areas provide the food and water that they need.
While these birds may be beautiful to look at, they can cause a lot of problems. That’s why it’s important to have goose control in place. If you have a goose problem, Call AAAC Wildlife Removal Phoenix. We can help you get rid of your unwanted guests in a humane and effective way.
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Goose Control Phoenix
Canada geese are large migratory waterfowl that are native to North America. These birds are often found in urban areas, such as Phoenix, AZ. They can often be seen near ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water and while they are generally harmless, they can become a nuisance if they decide to make your property their home.
The average adult goose weighs between seven and fourteen pounds and has a wingspan of four to six feet. They are generally herbivores and their diet consists of grass, leaves, and other plant material. These birds are known to attack people who come too close to their nests and they will also hiss and bite if they feel threatened.
Problems and Damages
Canada geese can cause a variety of problems for homeowners and business owners. They are known to leave behind large amounts of droppings, which can contaminate water supplies and create slip-and-fall hazards.
They congregate around golf courses and office buildings, as well as other areas where there is a lot of foot traffic.
Their droppings carry harmful bacteria that can cause disease in humans and pets. Salmonella and E Coli are just two of the many diseases that can be contracted from contact with goose droppings.
In addition to their waste, geese can also damage turf. Their grazing habits can cause extensive damage to lawns, golf courses, and other grassy areas. Their droppings and grazing will make your lawn unsightly and can attract other unwanted pests, such as rats and mice.
Canada geese are also known to be very aggressive and they will attack humans if they feel threatened. And while the attacks won’t cause serious injury, they can be quite frightening. They’re so aggressive that in 2018 they earned the name “cobra chicken” from Twitter and the internet went wild.
Finally, these birds are also the cause of more than 30% of bird strikes at airports. Compared to other waterfowl, their large size and their propensity to congregate in large numbers near airports make them a serious safety hazard.
How to Get Rid of Canada Geese
There are a few ways to remove Canada geese. These include exclusion methods, habitat modification, repellants, scare tactics, trapping, and lethal control.
Exclusion methods involve the use of fences or grid wires to keep the geese away from your lawn. Habitat modification entails making changes to your turf so that it is less attractive to geese.
This can include the elimination of public feeding areas, allowing the grass to grow tall, or adding vegetation or stone barriers around ponds, man-made lakes, or other bodies of water.
Repellants are substances that will deter geese from entering an area. These can be chemicals, such as methyl anthranilate, or physical, such as scarecrows or Mylar balloons.
Scare tactics involve the use of loud noises or dogs to frighten the geese away. Trapping involves round-ups and netting of the geese, while lethal control is a last resort and is only used in extreme cases.
Trapping and relocating are often ineffective and require permits from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. And, because these fowls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, lethal control can only be done with a permit as well.
The only effective means of goose control is through dog hazing. At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Phoenix, AZ, our dogs and handlers get the best training to provide this service.
Canada Goose Hazing
The best way to keep Canada geese away from your property is through the process of hazing. Dog hazing is is a non-lethal and effective way to remove Canadian geese. It involves the use of dogs to chase geese away from an area.
The dogs are carefully trained so that they will not hurt the geese. They simply need to be close enough to scare them away. Border collies are the most common type of dog used for hazing, they are trained to chase, but not catch, the geese.
The birds would often run into the nearest body of water but the dogs will still chase them even there. The border collies will harass the birds non-stop until they finally give up and leave the area for good. It’s considered to be the most effective and humane method of removing Canadian geese.
Goose Deterrents
There are goose repellent and goose deterrents available on the market but they don’t always work as advertised. Many of these goose repellent products are made with chemicals that can be harmful to humans and the environment.
Mylar balloons are often used as a physical deterrent but they can be easily blown away or punctured. And, while they may scare the geese at first, they will quickly become accustomed to them and learn to ignore them.
Canada Goose Prevention
The best way to prevent these birds from becoming a nuisance is through habitat modification.
These birds are typically attracted to areas with short grass, bodies of water, and public feeding areas. They create their nesting sites in golf course and country clubs as well as recreational areas, parks, and other locations.
You can make your lawn less attractive to the birds by letting the grass grow taller, planting bushes or trees around ponds, and eliminating public feeding areas. Plant fescues also make good goose deterrents because they are too tough for the birds to eat.
These measures, however, may not always be enough to keep the birds away. That’s why it’s important to call a wildlife service like AAAC Wildlife Removal if you’re having problems with these waterfowl.
Goose Removal Phoenix
If you have goose problems, the best thing to do is contact a professional goose control company like AAAC Wildlife Removal of Phoenix. We can help you get rid of your goose problem in the most effective and humane way possible. Give us a call today to learn more about our services.
Frequently Asked Questions about Goose Control
Who do I call for goose control in Phoenix?
In Phoenix, a professional bird control company like AAAC Wildlife Removal is your best bet for controlling geese. It can be hard to remove these birds yourself, not to mention the fact that it’s illegal to do so without a permit.
Are geese protected in Arizona?
Yes, Canadian geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This act makes it illegal to kill, harm, or remove these birds without a permit.
What is the best goose deterrent?
Products like Mylar tape, scarecrows, and netting can help deter geese but they are not always effective. The best way to prevent geese from becoming a nuisance is through habitat modification.
Does grape Kool-Aid keep geese away?
The artificial flavoring in grape Kool-Aid has methyl anthranilate, a chemical that has been known to repel geese. While this may work for a short period of time, it’s not a long-term solution and the geese will eventually get used to it or simply go around it.
What is the best way to get rid of geese?
The best way to get rid of geese is through dog hazing. This involves using trained dogs, usually border collies, to chase the birds away. The dogs do not hurt the geese, they just relentlessly harass them until they finally leave the area for good.
