What to Expect When You Work with Wild Goose Chase: FAQs and Answers

Jun 30, 2025

If your business is dealing with nuisance birds, you know how disruptive and costly the problem can be. From Canada geese tearing up your landscaping to gulls nesting on rooftops, unwanted birds bring noise, mess, safety concerns, and property damage. That’s where Wild Goose Chase comes in.

We’re not your average pest control company. We specialize in bird control — and only bird control — with a focus on humane, science-driven solutions tailored to commercial properties. Whether you manage a golf course, industrial site, airport, farm, or corporate campus, we help you prevent conflicts and damage caused by birds with effective and ethical management strategies.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we get from prospective clients, along with answers about what we do, how we do it, and what sets us apart.

What species of birds can Wild Goose Chase manage?

We manage over 23 species of nuisance birds across the U.S. We have two bird biologists on staff with decades of experience working with a variety of species. That said, the most common species we work with include:

• Canada geese
• Gulls (especially at landfills, airports, and coastal sites)
• Pigeons (frequent urban, commercial center, and rooftop dwellers)
• Starlings and sparrows (often found in warehouses, canopies, or rafters)
• Swallows (which can create nesting issues along building exteriors)
• Redwing blackbirds (often a culprit for crop damage)

Each species presents unique challenges. Our team evaluates every situation individually and builds a strategy tailored to your site, season, and local bird behavior.

How is Wild Goose Chase different from other pest control companies?

We’re bird specialists. That’s all we do. Many pest control companies treat birds as just another problem alongside rodents and insects, thus not understanding that every bird species behaves differently. At Wild Goose Chase, birds are our entire focus. That means:

• Our team includes bird biologists, field techs, and canine handlers who understand bird behavior and are properly licensed to take appropriate action.
• We are product agnostic & can create custom solutions to meet customer needs.
• We don’t offer quick fixes. We design long-term bird control programs that fit your property and deliver real results.

Unlike many smaller pest control companies, Wild Goose Chase carries commercial grade general liability insurance to ensure we are prepared for jobs of all sizes and risk levels.

What services does Wild Goose Chase provide?

We offer a complete range of bird control solutions. Depending on your needs, we may recommend one or more of the following:

1. Site Evaluation & Consultation

We start almost every job by assessing your property, identifying risk factors, and studying bird behavior patterns. This helps us recommend a targeted solution with a higher likelihood of success by addressing root issues.

2. Deterrence Methods

In most scenarios, deterrence solutions can help stop bird problems. We utilize tested solutions that are proven to work to make your property less attractive to birds without harming them. Some of our most deployed techniques include:

• Canine harassment using trained Border Collies to chase geese off property. Learn more in our Goose Dog FAQ
• Methyl anthranilate applications, an FDA-approved and human and pet-safe substance that can be found in grapes and other fruits and flowers that birds dislike
• Flight Control application – a lawn spray that deters geese by making the grass less appetizing
• Laser deterrents such as automated laser or handheld lasers that chase birds.

3. Prevention Strategies

Depending on your bird issue and property, it may make the most sense to install preventative solutions or make modifications to your property to prevent birds from entering trouble spaces. Wild Goose Chase has an in-house fabrication shop where we design and build custom exclusion systems to prevent birds from accessing a variety of difficult to manage areas. We can help prevent nesting and future activity through:

• Bird netting installation
• Bird spikes, slopes, or wires
• Custom metal deterrents
• Window collision prevention sticker application

4. Removal & Population Control

One of the most effective solutions to bird control is to prevent population growth by ensuring birds do not successfully nest on your property. Because species like geese and gulls are federally protected, egg depredation can only be performed by state-licensed handlers, like Wild Goose Chase. Egg depredation services include using trained and licensed handlers, locating nest(s), and removing or disposing of eggs with each site visit. In addition, we will do follow-up and report filing with the appropriate state agencies. Details are available in our Egg Depredation FAQ.

For some species, and in specific cases, we may trap birds when other methods aren’t effective. All trapping is done legally and responsibly.

5. Sanitation and Cleaning

When birds congregate, they can leave a mess. Bird droppings carry bacteria like Salmonella and Histoplasma, which can lead to respiratory illness and other health issues for employees and customers. That’s why Wild Goose Chase uses commercial-grade disinfectants and protective equipment (PPE) to remove bird droppings, feathers, and nesting materials to restore hygiene and safety at your site.

What does “humane bird control” mean to Wild Goose Chase?

Humane bird control is at the core of how we operate. We use deterrents that change bird behavior and encourage them to leave your site on their own. Every method we use complies with wildlife protection laws and minimizes stress or harm. That includes:

• No poisons
• No indiscriminate traps
• No harm to protected species

For example, our Border Collies never touch the birds. They rely on herding instincts to safely drive birds away. Likewise, egg depredation is done under permits, with care and precision.

How effective are your solutions?

Effectiveness depends on the species, site conditions, and methods used. In many cases, our clients see up to 90% reduction in bird activity.

We focus on consistency. Some tools, like laser deterrents or netting, work continuously. Others, like canine patrols, deliver best results with routine visits. We’ll help you find the right approach for your goals and budget.

What kinds of clients does Wild Goose Chase work with?

We serve only commercial, institutional, and industrial properties. We do not work with private residences.

Our clients include, but are not limited to:

• Golf courses and athletic fields
• Airports and transportation hubs
• Distribution centers and warehouses
• Corporate campuses
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Colleges and schools
• Farms and food production facilities
• Municipalities and park districts
• Water facilities

Where does Wild Goose Chase operate?

Wild Goose Chase services all 50 U.S. states, however, some of our services are more limited to certain regions.

• Our consulting and most of our deterrent and prevention systems, including bird lasers, are available nationwide
• Routine services like canine patrols are available in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana

If your business is outside of the Midwest, we can still design a strategy and assess whether we can provide on-site solutions or offer support remotely.

Can Wild Goose Chase help me figure out what I need?

Yes. We begin with a consultation to understand your bird issues and property setup. From there, we recommend the best next steps. You don’t need to know what species you’re dealing with or what service you need — we’ll help you figure it out.

Let’s Fix Your Bird Problem

Bird issues don’t solve themselves. Birds will return to where they have successfully nested in the past, so problems tend get worse over time and can lead to bigger liabilities. But with the right approach, they’re entirely manageable.

If you’re ready to reduce risk, improve property conditions, and get expert support, contact Wild Goose Chase today. We’ll help you build a plan that works.