: Written by: Dan Frankian; Published: 20 February 2025

The short answer is Yes! For a few days, at least. Some lasers work better than others and time of day or ambient light also plays a role. Let's explore this in more detail:

canada geese in a field

What is a Laser?

green hand held laser The word Laser is actually an acronym. It stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Radiation? That sounds dangerous! Well, there are different kinds of lasers and with different strengths (wattage). A handheld laser used for Geese Control does not emit radiation harmful to the human who handles it or the bird it is aimed at. In Canada, the use of lasers is heavily regulated.

Lasers are designed to concentrate beams of light by forcing their waveforms and frequencies to align. Modern laser technology can amplify light rays in just about any part of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the exception of gamma waves. A laser can emit a narrow stream of light over a long distance.

Green Laser vs. Other Colours

Green lasers are definitely favored over any other colour. Green is the brightest wavelength for any eye that can discern colour. To give you an idea, a green laser beam is five to seven times brighter than any other laser color (at the same output power). So, yes.. when it comes to scaring geese away, a green laser is the way to go.

Why are Geese scared of Lasers?

We have no concrete statement from a Canada goose thus far, but it is believed that geese view a laser beam coming at them as something snake-like slithering toward them. Geese have a natural fear of snakes because of their predatory nature, lying in wait for their prey until it's too late. Snakes also go after eggs, so that surely doesn't help.

How does it Work?

The laser is never pointed directly at a bird. In fact, this would help the geese realize that there is no physical danger. A bird control technician will point a hand held laser in the general direction of offending geese from a distance of 10 feet or more. He or she will move the laser in a slow and methodical zig zag pattern on the ground and towards the birds. The goose or geese will immediately vacate the area.

: Written by: Dan Frankian; Published: 14 February 2025

Have you heard about molting geese? What does that mean? Join us as we explore why and when geese molt...

canada goose at water's edge

What is Molting?

Molting refers to geese dropping their feathers during the month of June and early July. With nesting finished and little ones hatched, the birds will search for their summer homes and a safe environment for molting and raising their young.

Do All Geese Molt?

Yes, all of the geese species - and there are as many as twenty - molt their primary, or flight feathers in the summer. In fact, not just geese but all waterfowl do. This affords the birds a full, brand-new set of flight feathers for their long migration journey. While they are molting, Canada geese are grounded and cannot fly; this is in contrast to ducks. Yearlings will go through the molting process shortly after their first birthday.

Why Do Geese Molt?

Molting usually starts in late June or early July and aids with regulating their body temperature in the the summer heat. Molting helps to cool the goose by increasing the area of bare skin.
Molting also helps with getting rid of damaged or worn flight feathers. By shedding their old feathers, geese can make way for new, healthy, dense feathers that will allow for migration and also help them stay warm once temperatures drop.

The Molt Migration

Molting is physically taxing, and requires the birds to be flightless for 3 to 4 weeks while shedding their primary feathers. Because the molt is such a demanding process, many of the birds will fly a long ways to find the ideal location to safely spend the summer. Geese with young offspring will stay at their breeding grounds to molt while those who did not breed will have to leave.

Who participates in the Molt Migration?

The molt migration is all about leveraging resources. Those who have a half dozen tiny adorable goslings following them around, will spend this time remaining at their breeding sites. But those sites likely cannot sustain all of the geese that are there in early spring. Geese often don't find a mate and breed until they are between 2 to 4 years old, so those youngsters need to move on and leave whatever food is there for the ones rearing their offspring. Those who did breed but had a failed nest also leave and join Pre-Molt Groups.

What are Pre-Molt Groups

Adult geese that failed to hatch eggs, geese that have not yet found a mate (or lost their mate), or geese too young to breed (last year’s goslings) will flock up in what is referred to as “pre-molt groups”. With no babies to raise and no territory or nests to defend, these geese will form their own little (or large!) flocks. They will be looking for abundant feeding grounds as they make their way farther north.

Properties that had no geese issues all throughout spring may suddenly become inundated with large groups of geese and the mess they leave behind. Not only are we talking the usual droppings, but feathers - LOTS of feathers - as well.

Where do the Birds migrate to?

The molt is all about resources, so these geese go to where they can find lots of nutrition and safety - and that is often north. Remember, they cannot fly away during this time. Rivers, streams, any bodies of water provide a quick escape route from predators, if necessary. In fact, streams also double as a sort of water highway to travel on - if resources dwindle in one spot, they can move on to the next. Before fall they all will head back to their original spring destination to reunite with the main flock. This isn't so much about the flock or social structure, but rather about the fall migration route. The group that took part in the molt migration does not know the way south from where they are at. Hence, they'll join the ones who stayed put at the nesting site and they will all set out for their winter destination together, followint the tried and trusted path that brought them here.

Why is the Molt significant in terms of Geese Control and Removal?

Coralled Geese During this time when geese cannot fly, they are vulnerable. Using harassment techniques such as chasing with dogs or flying birds of prey seems a little unfair and often isn't terribly successful - since they cannot take off and fly away. Especially the pre-molt groups can be rather stubborn when asked to leave a perfectly good spot.

But, this is the perfect time for translocation. This involves rounding them up and physically moving them to a more advantageous or appropriate area, if they are uninvited guests on your land, or in public parks, on beaches or golf courses, and so on. While they are grounded they can be captured, corralled and relocated to another area south west of you, approximately 300-400 kms away and along their natural winter migration route.

Raccoon Mating and Breeding

In the late stages of winter and up until early spring, able bodied raccoons partake in mating rituals which culminate in females breeding with mostly just one male, and males breeding with as many females as possible. Yearling females often reach sexual maturity in their first mating season, while many boys develop a bit slower and may have to sit that first year out.

Mating Rituals

raccoon mating breeding In the arena of Raccoon Mating, healthy, strong, young and older males will posture and compete for the right to mate - up to and including duking it out amongst each other and in front of the ladies. They'll scratch, bite, and even throw each other around while eligible females observe the spectacle and choose their champion accordingly. Communications between males and females include vocalizations, such as chirps and whistles, as well as physical contact in the form of the females arching their back and rubbing against the chosen male to express approval and interest in breeding. The chosen dominant, strong and healthy male may become several ladies' champion and breed with several females. Since the victor, or champion, cannot possibly impregnate all available females, even lower ranked males will eventually get the chance to mate.

Raccoon Breeding

Female raccoons have a very short window of fertility, only three to four days per mating season - so, much mating takes place during those few days. The actual mating or breeding involves an hour or so of foreplay and culminates in copulation. After a brief pause to recover they go on to repeat. Yeah, it's a busy couple of days! After all that mating is done and over with, the couple may stay together for a few days but the male will move on and leave the now expectant mum to fend for herself and her offspring.

Gestation and Birth

Mum-to-be must now spring into action and procure a suitable den to give birth to her litter of kids in about 2 months time. This is also the time where she will be most inclined to rip up a roof shingle or two to get access to cozy places like attics and where you'll need to pay extra attention or get in touch with a wildlife removal company. She will birth anywhere from one to seven raccoon babies, with the average litter containing four kits. The babies are born blind, deaf and hairless, weighing only about 4 to 5 ounces. The only thing giving away the impression that these are in fact raccoons, are the tiny little masks already visible. As they are completely helpless, they are solely depending on their mother's care for their first 3 weeks of life. Sadly, somewhere around 50% of newborns will not survive their first year.

Life in the Den

Although momma raccoon will take the wee ones to the outside world for little excursions once their eyes open around 4 weeks, the kits will stay in the den for the next 6-8 weeks, with their mum looking after their every need.

A Raccoon's First Year of Life

Around three months of age, baby raccoons are weaned and introduced to the world in earnest. They will shadow their mother and learn about finding food and survival in general. All raccoons are intelligent and curious, and young raccoons have been seen playing and rough housing and performing fun acrobatic maneuvers.

The First Winter

By the time fall arrives,, the wee ones have grown into independent, adventurous, and resilient youngsters., It is not uncommon, though, for them to spend their first winter denning with their mother and siblings, especially in colder climates. As with many other things, there is strength in numbers and more bodies can create and retain more heat.

Setting Out on their Own

Almost a year has passed and a new mating season is on the horizon. Young females may or may not be ready to reproduce and will likely stick close to their birth place, while their brothers will often move into territories that are 20km or more away. These young males are likely not yet ready to breed and will use the upcoming year to establish themselves in their new territory. Researchers believe that traveling this fairly long distance in search of a new home range is instinctive behavior to avoid or reduce the chance of inbreeding. We have now come full circle.

Canada Geese are Extremely Adaptable

Canada geese are found all across North America in a wide variety of habitats - from the frigid north to subtropical regions. Their habitats range from the high Arctic tundra to as far south as Mexico. Their breeding grounds include regions across Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. They have adapted well to living and even thriving alongside humans.

Habitats

Canada geese are found to be nesting in all sorts of habitats including open tundra, marshes, prairies, and coastal regions. They also make themselves at home in urban and suburban environments such as parks, golf courses, marinas, and even backyards. Being migratory birds, Canada geese are well equipped to fly long distances between their summer breeding grounds and winter habitats farther south. True snowbirds :)

Diet

A Canada Goose's diet is as diverse as its nesting grounds; it includes aquatic plants and invertebrates, grasses, seeds, grains, and berries. This varied diet allows geese to do quite well in many wetland, grassland, and agricultural areas. Canada geese aren't shy and happily exist alongside human development, as long as there is open terrain with access to water nearby.

Canada Geese are Family Oriented

Canada Geese mate for life. Well, wherever possible. If one mate happens to perish, the one left behind will go out looking for a new partner. Their offspring will live with its parents for a year or even beyond. It will make its first migratory journey alongside its parents. Many female geese even return to the place they hatched themselves and start their own family right there. It is mostly the young males to set out to find a new flock or create one of their own.

Nesting

Once back in their northern breeding habitat, Mother Goose (or expectant Mother Goose) immediately settles into the task of establishing a nest. She is the main architect of the nest by making a shallow depression in the ground (usually near water) and collecting plant materials like grasses and mosses to line the nest. She'll put on the finishing touch by adding her own down feathers and create a super soft and comfy lining. She will then proceed to lay an average of 5 eggs. Mind you, as many as 12 eggs have been found in a single nest.

The excpectant dad stays mostly out of the construction and decoration of the nursery but springs into action once that phase is complete. While his mate is laying and sitting on eggs, he will tend to her every need, bring food and fiercely protect the nest. It is during this time that you may encounter the outrage and aggression of a goose parent to be, should you have inadvertently wandered too close to a nest.

: Written by: Dan Frankian; Published: 03 February 2025

We talk so much about Raccons and the challenges they pose or the damage they do to homes and businesses. In this post, let's look at some fun or lesser known facts about raccoons!

Raccoon submerged in water and swimming

1. Raccoons Love Water!

In the wild, raccoons are most often found in wooded areas near water. Of course, all mammals require water to survive, but the clever raccoon has another use for water: Washing its food. By washing their upcoming meal, they obtain as much information about it as possible.

Do Raccoons Swim?

Indeed, they do! In fact, they are quite accomplished swimmers, able to swim for three to eight hours! While their body shape may not appear to be suited all that well for swimming, raccoons average a speed of 5km/h and can reach speeds of 25km/h (if motivated enough).

Can Raccoons Dive?

Also yes - extraordinarily well, even! Raccoons will dive underwater to escape predators or catch some fish as deep as 5 feet or 1.5 meters. A raccoon can hold its breath underwater for up to 15 minutes, which is pretty impressive for a land lubbing mammal.

2. Raccoons and their Incredible Sense of Touch

Raccoons are one of the few species in the animal kingdom who may use their sense of touch even more so than that of sight or smell when trying to identify their next meal.

What's so Special about Raccoon "Hands"?

A raccoon's "hands" or front paws are equipped with about four times more sensory receptors and stiff hairs at the tips of each front toe above the claw than its back paws. These hairs are called vibrissae and are similar to cats' whiskers - they allow the animal to identify an object even before making contact with its paw. The difference in front and back paw receptors is roughly the same ratio as that of human hands to feet. Although a raccoon front paw print looks much like a human hand print, they actually do not have opposing thumbs, but rather just 5 long fingers. That doesn't slow them down, though, or impede their ability to manipulate all sorts of objects (like your trash can lids). And, back to water - the sensitivity of their paws increases when wet.

3. Raccoons are Very Expressive

image of a relaxed raccoon Nobody ever has accused raccoons of being quiet and unobtrusive. In fact, they are very vocal and communicate their current state of mind or emotion quite successfully.

What does a Happy Raccoon Look or Sound like?

A happy raccoon will look relaxed and you'll see a low, slightly wagging tail and ears that are upright and pointing forward. And, if you're close enough you may even be able to hear a purring or cooing sound.

What does a Frightened or Angry Raccoon Look or Sound like?

When a raccoon is scared or angry you'll notice a raised tail and pinned ears (think of a horse). It's body will look tense and there likely will be some hissing or growling.

Do Raccoons Play for Fun?

Yes, they do - especially the youngsters. Raccoons are highly intelligent and curious by nature and will check out an unfamiliar object - probably more to determine whether it's edible or not, but they've definitely been seen batting and chasing things around, not unlike cats.

When do Canada Geese come back to Ontario?

Migrating Canada Geese (not the ones who stay year round and are often referred to as 'Popcorn Geese') will announce their arrival with a distinct and familiar honking sound anywhere from the end of March to the middle of April. They are among the first birds returning from their southern winter hangouts. Once home, they'll immediately tackle the task of mating and hatching a brood of goslings. This makes geese also one of the first birds with offspring, early in the season.

Do Geese return to the same Area or Breeding Site?

Yep, they indeed tend to return to a previously successful breeding or nesting site. That's why it is so important to convince them to move on before they have offspring. Once they're strutting around with adorable little goslings, the nesting site is deemed safe and desirable and they happily return next year. In fact, many females will return to where they hatched and start their own family right there. On the other hand, if geese are disturbed before laying eggs or nests are destroyed, they will move to a new and safer nesting site.

Migration - A Marvelous Journey

Canada Geese migrate twice a year in North America. In early spring, they fly from their overwintering grounds in the United States to their familiar breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska. In the fall, geese make the journey south to spend the winter preparing for the next breeding season.

The V-Formation

geese migration flight formation Migration is long and hard. Most geese make it, some won't. The iconic V-formation is most difficult to fly at the top or front and gets easier farther back. Each bird flies slightly higher than the bird in front and takes advantage of lesser wind resistance. That's why geese take turns taking the lead - the leader will drop back when a rest is in order and another goose will fly up and take the lead.

Taking care of one another

If a bird gets to a state of exhaustion or is injured, 2 other geese will accompany that bird to the ground. They will stay with the downed bird until it recovers or perishes. They will then set out to catch up with their flock.

Positive Energy

Scientists believe that the loud honking during flight is actually geese in the back encouraging the birds up front. They are the cheerleaders, you might say. Actually, geese seem to be communicating well and often in general, both during migration (or any flight) and on the ground.

Focus on the Task at hand

Geese appear to be very goal or task oriented. Migration routes are the same each year and the destination remains the same as well. Their goal is to move from North to South to protect the flock from the cold or from South to North for breeding in the spring. Goslings will accompany their parents on their first migration journey and learn from the geese elders of the flock - continuing the tradition and maintaining the goal year after year.

: Written by: Dan Frankian; Published: 30 January 2025

Hopefully, your curiosity stems from wanting to prevent raccoons feeding on your trash bin and not because you want to feed them. Because that would create problems for both, the raccoons and you (and your neighbours). It's also illegal.

what do raccoons eat

The Trash Panda

How did the Raccoon earn this somewhat unflattering nickname? Opportunistic and omnivorous, the raccoon has a varied diet that includes - well, just about anything. Omnivorous means, that they consume (and need) nutrition derived from both meat and vegetation. Being able to switch it up according to food availability due to season, location, or food competitors, contributes a great deal to the modern raccoon's impressive adaptability.

Raccoon Diet Requirements

The bones of a healthy raccoon diet doesn't look all that different from human dietary requirements. One might say, the difference lays in sourcing the ingredients :)

Protein: Found in animal-based foods like insects, fish, and small mammals.
Carbohydrates: Derived from fruits, grains, and vegetables.
Fats: Obtained from seeds, nuts, and fatty fish.
Vitamins and Minerals: From a mix of plant-based and animal-based foods.

Raccoons require both macronutrients and micronutrients to sustain their energy levels, support growth, and maintain a healthy immune system. A lack of nutritional balance leads to malnutrition or other health issues.

What do Raccoons like to Eat in the Wild?

what raccoons eating meat When in their natural habitat (wooded areas near water), raccoons munch on fruits, berries, nuts, corn, fish, crayfish, frogs, turtles, insects, birds and/or their eggs, rodents, rabbits, and carrion (dead animals). The beauty of such a varied diet is that any one or two of these things are available in any given season.

How do Raccoons Find Food in the Wild?

Raccoons are very skilled foragers and scavengers, rather than hunters. Being nocturnal, they'll roam during the night and kill or pick and eat whatever crosses their path and is manageable. They will travel up to a mile or so on their home range or territory and being the opportunists they are, they rarely leave the ground to procure food. In addition to highly evolved senses, raccoons also make use of their very sharp claws and teeth.

What do Raccoons Eat in Urban Environments?

In addition to aquatic life, birds, eggs, fruits, berries, rodents, and smaller mammals, they're quite fond of human leftovers. Hence the trash raiding. Being such skilled foragers and highly intelligent creatures, they use a combination of sensory abilities and learned behaviors to locate food. Learned behaviors? Yes, they watch and learn.

What Senses do Raccoons use to find Food?

Touch: Raccoons have highly sensitive front paws that help them identify food items, even in the dark.
Smell: A keen sense of smell allows them to detect food from an impressive distance.
Sight: While they don't have the most awesome vision in the animal kingdom, it is enough to see well in low-light conditions.

In addition to relying on their senses, raccoons are keen observers and quick learners. This intelligence explains their success at opening containers, navigating urban environments, and even solving puzzles to score a meal.

The Peregrine Falcon: Almost Lost From Widespread Use Of DDT Pesticide

The peregrine falcon (Falco Peregrinus Anatum) is an extraordinary and impressive bird of prey found around the globe, everywhere except Antarctica. It is admired and celebrated for its great speed, agility and hunting prowess. The name peregrine comes from the Latin word for traveler. This traveler has one of the longest migrations in North America of up to 25,000 km (15,500 miles) round trip.

In the 1960’s this bird and other raptors - including the bald eagle and the osprey, came close to extinction, such was their great decline - mostly attributed to the widespread use of the strong pesticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). The strong connection between DDT (and pesticides in general) and the great decline in populations of peregrine falcons and other raptors, makes it critically important that the public and government use chemicals responsibly and take ownership of conservation efforts.

About the Peregrine Falcon:

Length: 38cm to 50cm or 20 to 25 inches;
Wingspan of 96 to 112cm or 30 to 44 inches;
Weight of o.57 to 1.25kg or .1.25 to 2.75 lbs;
Dark blue-grey plumage with black moustache markings, black bars on chest and long pointed wings;
Nesting and habitat varies throughout the world. In North America it lives mostly on cliffs or high vantage points; it will find tall structures in urban environments;
The falcon is carnivorous like other birds of prey, feeding on smaller birds, waterfowl and small mammals;
The only threats to Peregrine Falcons are larger birds of prey and humans.

DDT was first synthesized by the Austrian chemist Othmar Ziegler in 1874. The insecticidal action of DDT was discovered by Swiss chemist Paul Muller in 1939. It was used during the second half of WWII to stop the spread of malaria and typhus in the civilian and military populations. It worked tremendously well, so well that the WHO relied on DDT in their antimalarial campaign on the 50’s and 60’s. But, there was a resurgence of malaria after DDT was banned. Its use was widespread in agriculture, as well, to protect crops from being ravaged by insects.

What does DDT do to Falcons?

pesticides and bird of prey

DDT interferes with calcium metabolism and the reproductive tracts in raptors leading to very thin eggshells. The shells are so fragile they break under the weight of the parent incubating the eggs or they fail to hatch because of structural weakness of the egg. The ensuing reproductive failure caused a pronounced decline in the population of many raptors including the peregrine falcon, bald eagle and osprey world wide, wherever DDT was used.

DDT is a persistent organic pollutant (POP), meaning it persists and remains in the environment for more than 15 years. It takes quite some time for it to break down. DDT and other POP’s move through the food chain by a process known as bio magnification. Insects exposed to DDT are eaten by smaller birds which are in turn eaten by falcons and other raptors. DDT also gets into the water and fish are exposed to it.. In turn, the fish are eaten by birds, water fowl and raptors. Raptors prey upon the waterfowl and water birds. As raptors are at the top of the food chain they ingest everything their prey has eaten as well. So they have far higher levels of DDT and other pollutants with concentrations high enough to threaten their very survival.

The role of Rachel Carson and her book “Silent Spring”

The book ”Silent Spring” was written by Rachel Carson and published in 1962. Carson took four years to write a very well documented “story” of how DDT entered the food chain and accumulated in the fatty tissues of animals, birds and humans, causing cancer and genetic damage. Her work was so well researched and documented, including notes and a list of experts who read and approved the manuscript, the public outcry was tremendous. It came to the attention of President Kennedy, who ordered a Government Science Advisory Committee to examine the issues raised in the book. The need to protect the environment in order to protect human life became widely accepted and the need to regulate industry to do just that was born. Silent Spring motivated the public towards a growing environmental movement towards conservation. In 1972 DDT was banned in the U.S. for agricultural use.

: Written by: Dan Frankian; Published: 22 January 2025

Toronto - vibrant capital of the Province of Ontario, rich in culture and history, known for the Raptors, Blue Jays, Argos, and Maple Leafs. And... Raccoons. No, not a new sports team - the masked bandits, also known as trash pandas who raid your trash bins, rip up your lawn and roofing shingles, and break into your home. Toronto has earned the dubious recognition of 'Raccoon Capital of the World'.

Group of raccoons

Why are there so many Raccoons in Toronto?

We can only speculate why Toronto is more popular with raccoons than other cities with similar characteristics. There's plenty of green spaces, woods, and of course - water. Lots of water. All of this is attractive to wildlife and when we add rapid development of land where raccoons and other wild animals would normally dwell and the abundance of food due to human waste, it's not hard to see why this city may be a near perfect alternative to living in the wild. If you'd like to explore this question in more details, have a look at this article »

What Problems are associated with Raccoons?

Nuisance Damage
Overturned garbage cans, torn up lawns and plants
Serious Property Damage
Displaced and torn up insulation, damage to wiring and potential fire hazards, roof and water damage, ripped up vents
Diseases, including rabies
Raccoons are the most common carriers of rabies, a disease fatal in humans. Latrines in attics or other places inside your home will eat through your floors and contaminate rooms throughout the home
Injury to Pets and Humans
Cornered raccoons and/or mothers with kits can and will become aggressive and potentially harm you or your pets

Addressing the Raccoon Problem in Toronto

While it may sound funny and yes, raccoons do indeed look adorable (especially, the babies, or kits), a city overrun by raccoons is no laughing matter. Let's look at some of the efforts that have been made to address and solve the issue thus far:

Measures taken by the City of Toronto

A 31 million dollar initiative to implement 'raccoon-proof' garbage cans: Unlike traditional trash bins, these ones had lids featuring special gravity locks, which let go when a garbage truck picked up the bin and turned it upside down. The logic was that if trash bins could be secured and the constant stream of food could be cut off, raccoons would move on and out of the city. Yeah, that didn't work. Turns out that raccoons are way smarter than previously thought; cameras caught a female raccoon easily manipulating the lid and getting to the goodies inside the bin. In fact, studies now show that a raccoon brain is comparable to that of a primate in terms of neuron density. Additionally, raccoons have clever and dexterous little paws with many sensors, allowing them to feel subtle textures like special trashcan lids and open locks without even looking.

A Wildlife Feeding Ban: A new bylaw was introduced in April of 2023, prohibiting all feeding of wildlife, except for bird feeders. This ban includes purposely feeding animals out of misplaced compassion or for entertainment purposes as well as involuntary feeding by careless waste disposal or by improperly storing pet food outdoors.

Wildlife Trapping and Relocating

Illustration of raccoon moving on In the wake of the ill fated trash bin initiative, wildlife operators have seen a doubling in calls for raccoons. And, the majority of wildlife control companies only have one option: Legally, a raccoon (or skunk, squirrel, etc.) trapped in Ontario must be released within a one kilometer radius from the capture site. While this may not seem particularly practical, there are a couple of good reasons for this:

Preventing the spread of disease - rabies, in particular;
Ensuring the animal's survival in familiar territory

Unfortunately, trapping and releasing raccoons nearby does nothing, except produce trap-shy animals. Raccoons will literally turn around and come right back to where you caught them. Many home owners, or the wildlife control companies they hired, trapped the vey same animals over and over again. In addition to the horrendous costs, this understandably frustrates and infuriates home and business owners.

: Written by: Dan Frankian; Published: 20 January 2025

The Middlesex-London Health Unit in Ontario is asking the public not to touch wild birds. This is in response to positive identification of several wild birds who succumbed to Avian Influenza in recent months.

bird sitting in human hand

Canada Geese and Avian Flu

Recently, Ontario has seen an increase in the identification of birds killed by a deadly strain of avian flu known as H5NX. Three Canadian Geese recently found deceased in London and Strathroy tested positive for the highly pathogenic strain. In general, wild aquatic birds (water fowl) like geese, ducks, swans, and storks are most likely to harbor the disease - Avian influenza A viruses occur naturally in wild aquatic birds.

How is Avian Influenza Transmitted?

Transmission from birds to humans is very rare, and usually only occurs after close contact with infected birds or highly contaminated environments such as poultry farms or live animal markets. However, it is important to avoid contact with wild birds, particularly deceased ones. This goes for your pets as well.,

Contact with Infected Birds

Other birds can become infected through direct contact with the saliva, nasal secretions, or feces of birds that carry the virus or are symptomatic with avian influenza. Unfortunately, this includes backyard poultry such as chickens, quail, ducks, and turkeys.

Transmission through Bird Droppings

dead bird avian flu The trouble with the spread of Avian Flu is that infected birds can and will continue their normal activities and defecate in a number of locations on their flight path, potentially infecting several other birds (or, in rarer cases animals) along the way. And, an environment where many birds congregate can quickly become a hot bed for the spread of the virus.

Airborne Transmission of Avian Flu

Although much less common, viral air particles can also be inhaled. This usually happens when feathers or dried bird droppings are stirred up and become airborne. Cleaning and disinfecting an area with large amounts of bird dropping should always be left to professional Bird and Wildlife Operators to ensure safety and prevent the spread of contaminants.

Contact with Contaminated Surfaces

Bird Flu an be transmitted through contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus from infected birds - think cleaning an eavestrough.

Contact with Contaminated Food and Water

Birds, other wildlife, and pets can become infected through contact with contaminated food and water supplies

Who is at Risk of contracting Bird Flu?

Agricultural workers, particularly poultry and cattle farm workers and operators face the highest risk of coming in contact with Bird Flu. To a lesser extent, landfill workers may also be exposed - even though there are strict regulations when it comes to the disposal of dead birds.

Signs of Avian Influenza

Birds infected with Avian Influenza

Most people's instinct is to help when we see a struggling animal. If you observe any of the following symptoms in a wild bird, please resist the urge to help or comfort:

Lack of energy or movement - Lethargy
Nervousness, tremors, or lack of coordination
Swelling around the head, neck, and eyes
Coughing, gasping for air, or sneezing
Diarrhea
Sudden death

Avian Flu in Pets

Domestic Pets, can become infected and suffer from Avian Influenza. Cats in particular can experience severe illness leading to eventual death from infection with H5N1. Dogs can also contract the virus, although they usually exhibit mild clinical signs and low mortality compared to cats. Here are some of the symptoms to look for:

Lethargy and Weakness: A noticeable lack of energy or not doing normal activities.
Fever: Elevated body temperature, which may make your pet seem more sluggish or uncomfortable.
Vomiting or Diarrhea: Gastrointestinal upset that is unusual for your pet
What to do if you find a Dead Bird

: Written by: Dan Frankian; Published: 16 January 2025

Good Lord, we're in the midst of a cold spell - why are we talking about Migratory Bird Permits?

migratory bird permit required for swallows

Most Bird Control Efforts require Migratory Bird Permits

While we may still be stuck in the middle of winter, pest bird season and with it the need to implement bird control and/or removal efforts is on its way. In Canada, most birds that cause problems or damages are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and you are required to obtain one or more permits before attempting to deal with them. Some birds or municipalities may impose local restrictions in addition to the migratory bird permits. Depending on the permit requested, processing time can range from 2 to 8 weeks. It is important to note that once birds have started nesting, it's just about too late for any meaningful control measures. If nests contain eggs, they have to be left alone until the hatchlings have turned into fledglings and left the nest. The list of most common birds (or nests) that require relocation includes (but is not limited to):

Canada Geese

family of geese on grassy surface You can find Canada Geese in nearly any area with water, ponds, lakes, or rivers. They spend as much time in water as they do on land. Water is their safe zone to flee to when evading fox, coyote, and other predators. In urban environments, you will find geese on beaches, golf courses, in marinas, parks, or just about anywhere else offering a green space.

Gulls

Gulls (or often called Seagulls) are also found near water; beaches and marinas are favorite spots, as are mountenous terrains with cliffs.

Swallows

Swallows are in a whole different category and require extensive permits. Pay close attention to the type of swallow you are seeing: Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Tree Swallow, etc.

Contact Hawkeye to Assist with Your Migratory Bird Permit(s)

You, as the property owner or manager are required to hold the necessary permits before we can assist with Bird Control or Removal. However, we can help you with your applications and together, we can ensure the you are ready to begin mitigating pest bird issues pro-actively.

Geese Control and Removal Services

Removal of Canada Geese remains one of the most requested services we provide. There are several windows of opportunities where certain methods may be used and/or are most effective. Because Canada Geese nest and hatch their young earlier than most other birds, we'll look at Geese Removal Services first and in a bit more detail:

Falconry

Falconry uses birds of prey, like hawks, falcons, and especially eagles, to chase geese from the air. Geese are extremely frightened of eagles scatter quickly. Further, because the raptors are actively chasing the geese, the geese will not habituate and will have the same reaction every time. Though this is one of the more labour intensive methods of goose control due to the high level of expertise needed to work with birds of prey, it is also by far the most effective.

Dogs

Dogs are often used to chase geese and scare them from the ground. Like the raptors, the dogs represent an active threat to the geese, meaning that they will never get used to it. However, due to safety concerns, dogs cannot be used in some environments, like rooftops. Chasing geese with dogs is the most common goose control method on the ground and one of the most effective in many situations

Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs)

We use ROVs to chase geese where it would be inconvenient or impossible for a dog or human to do so. Different types of drones are used to chase geese in the air, land, or water. Unfortunately, the technology can be fragile and easily lost, especially when in the water. ROVs are more robust and can be very effective in large bodies of water where geese can easily float or fly to the other side before the dogs can swim to them. Therefore, Hawkeye typically uses birds of prey, dogs, and ROVs together to chase geese away effectively.

Pyrotechnics

Hawkeye uses the firing of cracker shells, called bangers and screamers, that create loud sounds and bright firework-like visual displays to scare away the birds. The sounds and lights are startling and give the geese an extra push from the property. However, pyro is prohibited in some jurisdictions and is quite disruptive in residential areas. Further, because the loud sounds do not harm the geese, they will eventually learn to ignore them.

: Written by: Dan Frankian; Published: 14 January 2025

Large flocks of birds (and other wildlife) are frequent visitors at landfills all across Canada. Other than negative impacts on bird health, what are some concerns?

birds in landfill

Why are there so many birds at Landfills and Transfer Stations?

Landfills remain the most common method for disposing of human trash, and attract a large variety of birds. The large quantities of food scraps found in active areas of trash disposal at landfills can dramatically alter bird ecology, with consequences for their populations and health.

What type of Birds are commonly found at Landfills?

Food resources at active landfills support carnivorous and scavenging species including:

White Stork
Bald Eagle
Ring-billed Gull
Turkey Vulture
Crows
Blackbirds
Pigeons
Starlings

What is the Issue with Birds at Landfills?

birds and landfills The food birds find in landfills can compensate for reductions in natural food availability and are thought to contribute to global increases in gull populations in spite of huge decreases in their natural marine-derived prey for the gulls. Landfills may also negatively influence biodiversity, by reducing abundance of sensitive species, directly through exposure to contaminants and pathogens, and indirectly by supporting human-adapted and exotic invasive species that outcompete some native species. Birds are a natural part of the ecosystem and their presence at landfill sites and transfer stations can pose significant risks, especially as vectors for infectious diseases. It is quite common to see huge swarms of birds at landfills and transfer stations because of the abundance of food found in the garbage. This can and does lead to ecological and public health concerns.

Public Health Concerns in Regards to Birds in Landfills

The high density of birds increases the potential for disease transmission from bird to bird, birds to other wildlife and birds to humans.

Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases

A vector is a living organism that transmits an infectious agent from an infected animal to a human or other animal. Vectors are frequently arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas and lice. Birds and animals can also be vectors. Vectors can transmit infectious diseases either actively or passively:

Biological vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks may carry pathogens that can multiply within their bodies and be delivered to new hosts, usually by biting.
Mechanical vectors, such as flies can pick up infectious agents on the outside of their bodies and transmit them through physical contact.

These diseases that are transmitted by vectors are known as vector-borne diseases. Vector-borne diseases encompass a variety of diseases that are caused by the spread of pathogens by living organisms - vectors. These diseases can be human to human, animals to animals, animals to human, or bloodsucking insects to animals and humans.

Vector borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases world wide. Some vectors are able to move considerable distances, for example: travel of humans internationally; animal movement - ie; livestock, migratory birds; or even through the wind.

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