Leave it to the laser: Green beam gets rid of geese at Blawnox park

Green means go, at least to the geese at Blawnox Community Park.

Mayor Tony Gross said that for whatever reason, the borough’s new green laser system meant to shoo geese is working like a charm.

Council hired Harrietta Hills Trout Farm to tackle the persistent problem of birds on the ballfield and other green space.

The Michigan-based company installed a commercial-grade, wide-beam laser earlier this spring for a cost of about $19,975.

“For whatever reason, the birds hate the green laser,” Gross said. “It’s the green color. It goes in random patterns and absolutely works day and night.”

It might be that the geese view the laser as a snake on the hunt, according to Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control Specialists.

Green lasers are most effective because the hue is the brightest wavelength for eyes that can discern color, according to the company’s website.

A green laser beam is five times brighter than other colors, Hawkeye experts said.

Borough Secretary Kathy Ulanowicz said she’s unsure of how many birds were calling the park home, but said they’re gone now.

“The laser system is working,” she said. “The technology came with very high recommendations from golf courses, ball parks, fish hatcheries and other places where the geese or their droppings can be a problem.”

Officials touted the solution for being eco-friendly, humane and quiet. It doesn’t disturb activities at the playground, garden or ballfield.

Visitors to the park should know the laser is harmless to humans and animals, Ulanowicz said.

“It will not cut you or burn you,” she said. “It is a high-intensity light and can be a vision hazard if stared at directly for some length of time, but it is constantly moving, so that possibility is unlikely.”

The borough’s battle with Canada geese dates back decades.

In 2002, council hired a Washington County woman and her border collies, Wild Goose Chase, to rid the gaggle from the park.

That move came after attempts at chemical repellents, small firecrackers and other tactics.

Experts say geese eat enough grass to produce as much as one pound of waste per day, making the park a messy place to play.

This year, officials have not had to cancel any activities.

“Although barely visible to humans, the laser is apparently very visible and irritating to geese and some other nuisance birds,” Ulanowicz said.

For most activities at the park, the laser doesn’t need to be turned off, but officials said they probably won’t use it during ball games to cut distractions to players.

Gross said people are curious the first time they see the laser at work.

“People do ask,” he said. “They’re happy there’s no more goose feces on the field.”