Monday, April 11, 2011

Geese and other animals

It's obvious Canada geese do not like border collies. Their wolf-like glance and predatory style of the chase alert the geese that the area is unsafe for them, and instills fear. Other dogs such as Golden Retrievers and Labradors just don't have the same affect on them.

But did you ever wonder how Canada geese react to other animals? I've stumbled upon these videos, that made me chuckle and thought I would share with you.

 

Giraffe vs. Canada Goose, any bets?





If you have any other videos to share, send me a link at Jeff [at] Ohiogeesecontrol.com

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Geese are starting to become aggressive in April

As the Canada Geese begin to lay their eggs, they will do anything to protect them. If the nest happens to be near an entrance to a building, or near the picnic table where employees have lunch, it is the start of trouble. Geese will become aggressive and begin to hiss at anyone coming too close, they will defend their territory by attacking people they think are threatening their eggs.

As a facility manager, consider fencing off the area around the nest so geese cannot cross the barrier where employees are walking. Make sure you have signs posted warning people while they are coming in and out of the building. Also, make it a priority to ensure that the Canada geese are not fed. That will only draw more geese, so "Do Not Feed The Geese" signs would be valuable.

Most importantly, do not touch the eggs. The best thing you can do at this point is contact the wildlife division in your area and apply for a permit to destroy the eggs if you are inclined to do so. We offer this service to our clients, and typically do it after working hours.

Continue with your regular Canada geese control tactics, such as the use of border collies to get rid of the geese. This will deter other geese from nesting on your property.

If you need more information about our services to help manage the Canada geese population on your property, please contact us at http://www.ohiogeesecontrol.com/.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Love is in the air

Now is the time for aggressive tactics, that is why starting your geese control services as soon as you start to see them on your property is essential (typically in February). Spring is the season when they will begin to pair up and mate. Once they drop an egg, we are federally regulated to not disturb the nest without going through the proper authorities for permits.

If you see geese pairing up?
You have to get aggressive and make the geese uncomfortable at your property before they nest. There are many tactics, but we have found that it is the combination of tactics and timing of those tactics that work best. Border Collies prove the most effective, but even then, you need to be a little creative with your timing, persistence and aggressiveness. Contact Ohio Geese Control for more information.

If you see a nest?
The best thing to do if you see an empty nest, is to break it up. Don't let the geese get too comfortable on your property. It doesn't take long for a goose to drop an egg (and then it is hands-off.) Nests are hard to spot, because they are not very elaborate at the beginning, maybe just a clearing of the grass.

Canada Geese Eggs
If you see eggs?
Once there is an egg in the nest, it cannot be touched. And the parents are not going anywhere. Typically, a Canada goose will lay up to 6-10 eggs. If there is only one egg in the nest, then the rest will arrive over the next week or so. It is against regulations to disturb the nest at this point. If the eggs are disturbed, the goose will just lay more eggs, so don't even be tempted. The best thing to do is to call your Division of Wildlife and apply for a permit to addle the egg. In Ohio, permits will begin to be provided in May. I'll write more on this process in a later post.

Don't stop your Canada geese control tactics, even if you see a nest with an egg in it. Geese only attract more geese, so keep aggressive to try and limit the number that are nesting on your property.

Let me know if you have any questions (questions[at]ohiogeesecontrol.com), or would like a specific topic covered in this blog. It is only through education, that we can remain effective and humane in controlling Canada geese populations.