Commercial spaces, whether bustling retail spaces or professional office buildings face many obstacles when it comes to keeping things clean, safe, and welcoming for their visitors. It may not seem like the most obvious obstacle, but a commonly missed issue is that of geese. While these birds may appear seemingly harmless, they can quickly become a big problem, causing costly damages to property, posing health and safety risks, and even affecting your business’s image. With their unpredictable behavior, it’s critical that commercial property management understand what attracts geese to commercial properties and how to implement effective geese control strategies.
What Attracts Geese to Your Commercial Space?
Geese are creatures of habit and are often drawn to commercial areas due to the availability of food and shelter. These birds thrive in urban and suburban environments where they can find ample grazing areas and quiet spots to rest.
Water Access: Geese are highly attracted to bodies of water, and many commercial areas are located near lakes, ponds, or other features. Lakes provide geese with a safe place to rest and access food, which is why properties with nearby ponds tend to be prime locations for goose activity.
Open Spaces: Geese prefer open areas for grazing and foraging. Lawns and grassy areas around commercial sites provide the ideal environment for geese to feed on grass and other vegetation. Commercial areas are typically designed with lots of large, open spaces that are perfect for these birds to roam, making them a popular stop during their migratory journeys
Safe Habitats: Geese are drawn to properties that offer safe, undisturbed locations to nest, especially during the spring and fall. Commercial areas with quiet parking lots, green spaces, or areas with little human activity can seem like perfect places for geese to set up shop, further contributing to the problem.
Why Geese Are a Common Nuisance for Commercial Spaces
While geese might seem like an innocent part of nature, they can quickly become a significant nuisance to commercial areas. The presence of geese can create several issues that can negatively affect your business.
Damages To Your Property
Geese can cause damage to your facilities. As they graze on grass and vegetation, they can quickly strip lawns, gardens, and landscapes of their beauty. Commercial structures with meticulously landscaped grounds can see significant damage as geese feed on plants, leaving brown patches and unsightly areas behind. Additionally, their droppings, which can cover large areas, create a mess on sidewalks, parking lots, and outdoor spaces, affecting the overall appearance of the property.
More serious damage can occur when geese build nests on rooftops or in other structures, leading to blockages in drains or gutters. Nesting materials can cause costly maintenance issues, particularly for larger spaces. Geese can also damage fences or other barriers that are part of your property’s perimeter, requiring costly repairs.
Health & Safty Risk
Geese droppings pose significant health risks, especially in areas with high foot traffic, such as entrances, parking lots, or pathways. These droppings can carry harmful bacteria and pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, and campylobacter, which can contaminate the environment. The presence of geese droppings in commercial spaces can cause hygiene concerns and potentially expose employees, customers, and visitors to health hazards.
Additionally, geese are large birds that may aggressively protect their nests, posing a danger to people nearby. Their territorial nature can make them a threat to anyone who unknowingly comes too close. This can create uncomfortable and even dangerous situations for staff, customers, or anyone visiting your establishment.
Aggressive Behavior
During nesting season, geese become more aggressive in order to protect their young. This aggression can be directed towards humans, leading to physical altercations or injuries. Their honking, pecking, and charging can also create an uncomfortable atmosphere for customers, employees, or visitors. A single aggressive goose encounter could tarnish your company’s reputation and discourage future customers from visiting your business.
Best Practices for Humane and Effective Geese Removal
While geese may be a nuisance, it’s essential to handle their removal and deterrence in a humane and effective manner. Canada geese are a protected species, and certain measures must be taken to comply with local wildlife regulations. Here are a few best practices for managing geese on your property:
Canada Geese Are a Protected Species
It’s important to note that Canada geese are protected under federal law in many countries. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S. makes it illegal to harm or kill geese without the proper permits. Therefore, any attempt to control geese must be done using humane methods that adhere to local regulations. By working with bird control professionals, you can ensure that you are following the appropriate procedures for the humane displacement of geese from your property.
Kuykendall’s Border Collies
One of the most effective and humane ways to deter geese from your establishment is by using trained border collies. These dogs are excellent at managing and removing geese from large areas without causing harm. Border collies are trained to herd animals away from property boundaries, encouraging them to migrate elsewhere. The presence of the dogs is often enough to keep them from returning, making it an environmentally friendly and effective method for goose control.
Why Quick Action Matters for Your Business
When it comes to goose management, it’s important to be time-sensitive. The longer you wait to address the problem, the more damage and disruption these animals can cause to your property.
Avoid Escalation: Geese can cause considerable damage to your facilities, landscaping, and outdoor areas. Prompt action helps prevent extensive damage, saving you the costs of repairs and maintenance down the line.
Protect Your Reputation: The presence of this avian species can negatively impact your company’s image. From unsightly waste to aggressive behavior that makes customers feel unsafe, it’s crucial to act quickly to maintain your professional reputation. A clean, safe, and welcoming exterior is essential for ensuring positive customer experiences.
Prevent Health Risks: Goose waste can introduce health risks to your customers, clients, and employees. The longer you allow them to remain on your premises, the greater the potential for contamination. Removing them quickly will help protect everyone's health and safety.
Partner with Professionals for Effective Geese Control
While DIY methods may seem tempting, partnering with professionals for bird control is often the best approach. Animal control specialists can help you manage and remove them safely and efficiently.
Professional services offer a range of bird deterrents and displacement solutions, including the use of trained animals, physical barriers, and environmental modifications. Work with a trusted animal control company to ensure that they are safely deterred from your establishment without causing harm to the animals or your business.
Effective bird management is a critical part of maintaining a corporate establishment, helping to keep your space appealing, secure, and operational for all who visit. By using humane and efficient methods, you can preserve a tidy environment, protect your building from damage, and mitigate health and safety concerns. Don't allow geese to become an ongoing issue—contact us today
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