emekaWhy There’s So Much Geese Poop
Geese are messy creatures, and their poop is everywhere. Ever wonder why there seems to be so much of it? Here are a few reasons:
• Geese eat a lot. An adult goose can consume up to 4 pounds of grass, plants, and grains every day. All that food has to go somewhere, and a large portion of it comes out as droppings.
• Geese poop frequently. Geese can defecate every 10-15 minutes, producing over 1 pound of feces per day per goose. With large flocks of geese, that really adds up.
• Geese tend to congregate. Geese are social animals and gather together in large groups, especially during migration and wintering. More geese means more poop concentrated in one area.
• Geese have few natural predators. With few threats from predators, goose populations have exploded. There are over 5 million geese in North America today, compared to just 500,000 in 1970. Bigger populations mean more poop.
• Geese poop almost constantly. Geese don’t have a separate urinary tract and digestive tract. Their urine and feces come out together, so they poop almost every time they relieve themselves.
• Geese poop wherever they want. Geese have no qualms about pooping on sidewalks, parking lots, playgrounds, and anywhere else that suits them. They show little discretion in where they choose to defecate.
No wonder there’s so much goose poop around. With their huge appetites, frequent bowel movements, massive numbers, and pooping wherever the urge strikes, geese produce an awful lot of droppings. But that’s just part of sharing our spaces with these feathered friends. If you can overlook their messy habits, geese can be quite charming!
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The Health Hazards of Geese Poop
You might think goose poop is just a nuisance, but it actually poses some real health hazards you should be aware of.
- Exposure to goose droppings can lead to diseases in humans like cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and swimmer’s itch. The parasites and bacteria in the poop contaminate water, soil, and surfaces, infecting people who come into contact with it.
Cryptosporidiosis causes diarrhea, stomach pain, dehydration, and weight loss. Giardiasis leads to diarrhea, cramps, bloating, and dehydration. And swimmer’s itch causes an itchy rash. Not exactly a day at the beach!
- Geese waste also contains high levels of nitrates and coliform bacteria like E. coli, which can contaminate drinking water supplies and recreational waters. This is especially dangerous for young children, elderly people, or anyone with a weakened immune system.
- The droppings are also an environmental pollutant. As geese congregate in large numbers, their accumulated feces can damage crops, pollute streams, and make parkland uninhabitable for other wildlife.
The bottom line is that geese poop may look harmless, but it’s a health hazard and environmental nuisance. As geese populations continue to increase in many areas, it’s an issue that demands our attention. The good news is there are humane ways we can curb goose overpopulation and reduce the risks associated with their droppings. But that’s a topic for another article!
How to Clean Up Geese Poop
Once those pesky geese have left their droppings all over your lawn or patio, it’s time to get cleaning. Their feces may be small, but they can make a big mess. Here are some tips for properly cleaning up goose poop.
1. Scoop the solids
The first step is removing the solid droppings. Use a shovel, trowel or scooper to gather up the goose poop. Dispose of the waste in sealed bags before throwing in the trash. Be very careful not to step in any droppings during the scooping process.
2. Scrub any stained surfaces
After scooping, you may find remaining stains on concrete, stone or wood. Make a solution of detergent and water, or a commercial deck/patio cleaner. Scrub the stains with a stiff brush and then rinse with water. For stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the cleaning process a few times.
3. Sanitize the area
Goose feces can contain bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, so sanitizing the area is important. Make a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water. Apply the solution to any areas the geese were present, including grass, and patios. Let it sit for several minutes and then rinse with water. Be sure to thoroughly ventilate and avoid inhaling fumes when handling and applying bleach.
4. Re-treat as needed
Unfortunately, geese may return and leave more droppings. Re-check the area in the coming days and re-treat any new stains or droppings as soon as possible using the same scooping, scrubbing and sanitizing steps. Frequent monitoring and cleaning is the only way to truly get a handle on a goose poop problem.
With some elbow grease and the proper cleaning techniques, you can make quick work of removing geese droppings from your property. Stay on top of any recurring issues and your space will be back to pristine condition in no time.
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FAQs
1. How much poop can one goose produce?
A single goose can poop every 12 minutes, producing over 1 pound of feces per day. That adds up to over 100 pounds of poop per goose, per year! With large flocks of geese, that’s a lot of poop. No wonder geese poop seems to be everywhere.
2. Why is geese poop a problem?
- It’s messy and smelly. No one wants to step in goose droppings or have them all over parks, sidewalks, and lawns.
- It contaminates water supplies. The phosphorus and nitrogen in goose feces can contribute to algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels and kill fish.
- It spreads disease. Goose droppings may contain bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, and parasites like cryptosporidium that can infect humans and pets.
3. How can you get rid of geese poop?
- Regular cleaning and removal of goose droppings is the best way to control the problem. Scoop solid droppings with a shovel or pooper scooper and dispose of them in sealed bags.
- Scrub any remaining residue from walkways and lawns with detergent and water.
- Use motion-activated sprinklers, noisemakers, and visual repellents to discourage geese from congregating in areas where their droppings accumulate.
- Modify the landscape to reduce loafing and roosting spots, such as planting thorny bushes or fencing off ponds.
- Hire a professional geese management company to help implement a comprehensive control plan for your property. They can use border collies, lasers, and other techniques to deter geese in an ethical manner.
4. What else can you do about too many geese?
Talk to your local authorities about sustainable population control methods, such as egg oiling or nest destruction. While relocating geese may seem humane, it often just moves the problem to another area. An integrated pest management approach that addresses habitat modification, repellents, and other deterrents is usually the most effective long-term solution. With community cooperation, we can find ways to live in harmony with these vocal and messy birds.
Michael Page
