by Alex A. Kecskes
A former chef at the Villa Victor in Syosset who claimed he was attacked by a goose sued the restaurant for $1 million. Richard Braue insisted that he was standing by a pond on the restaurant's property when he was charged by a Canada goose. In a fruitless attempt to stay clear of the attacking goose, Braue fell and broke his back.
In Jacksonville, Florida, a goose created somewhat of a ruckus outside an office building on Salisbury Road. Having built its nest near the perimeter of the building, the goose attacked passersby. Some say the bird is just protecting its nest. But police recently reported that the goose actually bit a woman's ear.
Residents in Gotwals Pond in Kimberton, Chester County, Pennsylvania reported that there were 500 to 600 Canada geese on the pond. In fact, Jeff Effgan, part owner of the Kimberton Country House restaurant--which is a stone's throw from the pond--said that one day there were so many geese on the pond, the water wasn't even visible. Needless to say, the pond smelled pretty ripe that day.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, the growing numbers of resident Canada geese pose a threat to public health and safety and cause damage to property, agriculture and natural resources.
Without effective
goose control measures, geese will typically flock around lakes, reservoirs, large ponds, and near rivers and seashores. They like to feed on aquatic vegetation, grasses, seeds and grain. When adult geese molt their flight feathers in the summer, they can't fly and simply gather in huge annoying flocks, pecking and bumping into anyone who they regard as a threat to "their territory."
Even when not attacking people or knocking down children, geese will leave an awful mess. The smelly, disease-carrying droppings can contaminate ponds, lakes and other bodies of water. And they're not exactly welcome around golf courses and business parks.
Fortunately, there are a variety of goose deterrents available to commercial property owners. These are humane, since many species of geese are protected by federal and local statutes.
One popular deterrent is
Goose Repellent. It presents an effective bird deterrent that keeps geese from athletic fields, corporate parks, golf courses, courtyards and other grassy areas. Goose repellent is sprayed on the lawn flavoring it so the geese do not like the taste. Without a food source, they will move on to an area that is better suited to their needs. Most goose repellents are easy to apply and will not harm geese, humans and animals. Once applied, the goose repellent takes about a week to be effective. Soon the geese will leave the area for better grazing areas.
Visual
Goose Scare Deterrents. These include iridescent Reflective Foil or Shiny Tape, as well as big balloons with large predator eyes. All make geese too nervous to hang around and loiter. The balloons are typically 16 inches in diameter and made of a U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl. Some people fill them partially with water and allow them to skim the surface with their predator eye facing up to frighten geese.
The time to implement these
goose deterrents is now, before flocks of geese arrive. It's also a good idea use goose deterrents in tandem. And to move them around for best deterrent effect.
