The Hazards of Canadian Goose Poop (& how to safely remove it)
Now that spring has sprung in the Okanagan the geese will be out and about - and pooping! One goose can poop up to 2 pounds per day and not only can goose poop be an eyesore, but it can also be hazardous to the health of humans and pets.
Geese and their spring goslings primarily eat wetland weeds and grasses, so if you have a property or business near the water, you could find yourself with quite a mess to deal with.
The hazards to people:
Goose poop, like the feces of most animals, is hazardous to humans because it can contain bacteria, parasites, and pathogens. It is most dangerous when consumed or inhaled, but even if just touched, goose poop can transmit salmonella. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to the hazardous health effects of goose poop. Safe removal is important to limit goose poop contamination, especially when there are curious kids that share the outdoor space.
In the warmer months, goose poop is more likely to contain E. coli which is hazardous to humans. If you have been in contact with goose poop you should wash your hands immediately and always take your shoes off outside your house when there is a lot of goose poop around. In fact, due to the increased danger of inhaling hazardous bacteria or pathogens from goose poop, a mask should be worn for safety when cleaning poop from an area if you are going to attempt to remove yourself. Alternatively, you can trust the poo-fessionals at Poo Worx to remove that goose poop from your property.
The hazards to the Environment
Goose poop can be extremely hazardous to the environment by spreading water contamination. Parasites such as cryptosporidium can spread from goose poop into the water, making it unsafe for swimming or consumption. Goose poop can also cause massive algae growth in a body of water, which accelerates a process called eutrophication, this decreases the oxygen in the water which can kill fish in the environment. Other damage can result from contact from goose poop due to the high acidity and can even cause permanent damage to automotive paint or leave lasting stains on decking or pavement.
The hazards to your dog
While your dog might be excited to frolic on some green grass after the winter’s snow has melted, the geese may have left behind hazardous poop that could make your dog sick. Before entering your home after a walk with your dog in an area where goose poop is present, including your yard, wipe your dog’s feet clean to avoid any potential contamination. If your dog eats goose poop, it will ingest any bacteria, pathogens or parasites that are in the poop, which can cause diarrhea, dehydration, and other illness.
Water can be easily contaminated with nearby goose poop making puddles and small ponds a dangerous place for your dogs to take a drink. Keeping your dog on a leash is a great way of controlling their movements so that you can monitor what they may want to try tasting. But the most carefree way to avoid any ingestion of goose poop at home is to keep your yard clean of poop so that neither you nor your dog need to worry about avoiding any potentially hazardous materials.
The hazards and dangers to your lawn
If you have a congregation of geese in your yard, say goodbye to walking barefoot through the grass because their poop will be everywhere. Goose poop in your yard can be ugly to look at, and can be dangerously slippery, as well as being hazardous to the overall health of humans and pets who want to enjoy the lawn. Goose poop can accumulate quickly, as a single goose can produce up to 2 pounds of excrement each day! The best way to enjoy your yard in the spring and summer is to clean it of any goose poop, but this cleaning must be done carefully and safely to avoid possible contamination and illness.
How to safely remove goose poop
Goose poop is hazardous to the health of humans as well as dogs, and it can also be damaging not just to your personal property but the greater environment too. The most safe and effective way to cope with a goose poop problem is to leave it to the poo-fessionals at Poo Worx.
Poo Worx offers Goose Poop Pickup as one of our many services and we are happy to provide a custom quote for any space. As our business continues to grow, we are able to offer our services to an even bigger area of the Okanagan, from Kelowna to Vernon, from Lumby to Peachland, bringing custom cleaning services to you! The least hazardous and most stress-free way to deal with goose poop is to bring in the fully-equipped experts at Poo Worx!