Case Study
Case Study: How An Industrial Facility Achieved a 78% Reduction in Canada Goose Activity
The Problem
A Wild Goose Chase customer in Greenfield, Indiana, faced a persistent multi-year Canada goose problem that was impacting their operations and infrastructure. Goose fecal matter had accumulated heavily on their expansive roof, which measured over one million square feet, causing drains to clog and damaging the roofing membrane.
The facility's layout inadvertently created ideal conditions for geese. With three bodies of water on the property and fenced perimeters protecting the birds from natural predators, the geese had claimed the space as their own sanctuary. Canada geese are highly intelligent birds that actively seek out protected areas where they can feed, nest, and raise their young without threat from coyotes, foxes, and other predators. The combination of water access for drinking and bathing, open turf grass for grazing, and the security of fenced boundaries made this industrial property more appealing than many natural habitats. The expansive flat roof provided additional roosting space with unobstructed views, allowing geese to spot potential threats from a distance while remaining comfortably close to food and water sources.
As a result, flocks of geese chose this property, roosting on the roof and congregating across the grounds, and leaving behind fecal waste in parking lots and pedestrian areas where employees risked aggressive encounters during nesting season.
Before contacting Wild Goose Chase, facility management had attempted several DIY deterrents including geese-away lights, mylar tape, and predatory sound systems that broadcast goose distress calls. None of these solutions provided lasting relief. The geese simply adapted and remained, continuing to damage property and create safety concerns.
Wild Goose Chase's Solution
Wild Goose Chase began with a thorough onsite consultation, walking both the grounds and the roof to fully understand the scope of the issue. Based on this initial scoping visit, our team developed a comprehensive, multi-pronged management strategy deployed in phases.
Phase 1 tackled the immediate roof crisis. To remediate the current roof, our crew removed over one ton of goose excrement that had built up over time. However, cleaning alone does not address the root cause. To deter geese from continuously returning to the facility’s rooftop, Wild Goose Chase installed an automated laser deterrent system to provide continuous, proactive prevention. This technology works around the clock to keep geese from returning to roost.
Before:
After:
Phase 2 addressed ground-level activity through intensive Canada goose harassment protocols. Our team visited the property five or more days per week, using trained border collies and handheld lasers to persistently discourage geese from settling on the property. The results were dramatic—in the first month of service alone, Wild Goose Chase managed 800 geese off the property.
To prevent future nesting, we also recommended pairing ongoing harassment with spring egg depredation services, removing 177 eggs during the first season of service. We also applied goose lawn repellent to key turf grass areas near parking lots and pedestrian walkways, protecting employees from aggressive birds during nesting season.
The Outcome: Measurable Success
Comparing November 2024 (before services started) to November 2025 (one year of service), the property experienced a 78% decrease in Canada goose activity on their property. The roof, once covered in over a ton of fecal matter, remains clear of geese. Over the course of 2025, Wild Goose Chase managed 4,707 Canada geese off the property through consistent, professional intervention.
The automated laser system continues providing 24/7 deterrence on the roof, while routine ground management keeps the property inhospitable to geese. Most importantly, the facility has reclaimed its space, protecting both infrastructure and employee safety.
Conclusion
After nearly 30 years of providing bird control services, Wild Goose Chase has seen every possible DIY solution, and we know which ones work and which ones don't. Property managers often start with readily available solutions hoping for a quick fix. While products on the market may provide temporary relief, birds are remarkably adaptable and quickly learn when a threat isn't real. What looks like a solution in week one often fails by week three.
True, lasting results require professional expertise: understanding bird behavior and biology, deploying the right combination of active harassment and passive deterrents, maintaining consistent pressure, and timing interventions with migration and nesting patterns. Our team doesn't just chase geese away. We make properties fundamentally inhospitable to them through proven, science-based strategies. This case study demonstrates why professional intervention matters. After years of failed DIY attempts, a comprehensive management plan executed by experienced technicians achieved a 78% reduction in goose activity in just one year. When it comes to protecting your property and employees from persistent bird problems, professional solutions deliver measurable, sustainable results.
If you geese or other bird species are creating damage and posing health risks on your property, give us a call now!