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Why Late Summer Is a Good Time for Goose Control
- Written by: Dan Frankian
It is a common assumption that goose problems are over once goslings are grown and adult geese regain flight after their summer moulting season. That's why many property owners assume their goose problems are over once nesting season ends. However, late summer goose control should actually be focused on planning, assessment, and long-term management rather than simply reacting to immediate problems.

Yes, goose behaviour begins changing again as the birds prepare for seasonal movements, but property managers who dismiss geese now often miss an important strategic opportunity.
How to Get Rid of Raccoons Around Lake Ontario Properties
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Waterfront communities enjoy direct access to Lake Ontario, beautiful scenery, spectacular sunsets, and all of the activities a lake offers. But, as much as we humans enjoy hanging out by the water, so does the local wildlife population. That's why residents and businesses around Lake Ontario experience frequent wildlife interactions, with raccoons being among the most persistent nuisance animals affecting shoreline properties.

Unlike many suburban raccoon infestation sites, Lake Ontario properties often present unique environmental and structural challenges that can make raccoon removal complicated. Although every property is unique (and warrants a unique raccoon control approach), communities such as the Toronto waterfront, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton (lakefront areas), Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, or Pickering often face similar raccoon management challenges due to their proximity to shoreline habitats.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Raccoons Around Lake Ontario Properties
Raccoon Control and Removal for GTA Greenbelt Properties
- Written by: Dan Frankian
The GTA Greenbelt is one of the largest protected natural landscapes in the Greater Toronto Area, so it’s home to a great variety of local wildlife, including raccoons.

Living or operating near protected natural areas offers many benefits but also increases wildlife encounters. Homes, farms, golf courses, estate properties, conservation facilities, schools, and businesses bordering greenbelt lands often experience recurring raccoon issues. Properties near the greenbelt face challenges that are quite unique compared to those in more urban centres. This article will explore the raccoon issues in the GTA Greenbelt and ways to circumvent them.
Read more: Raccoon Control and Removal for GTA Greenbelt Properties
How to Get Rid of Geese in Swimming Pools
- Written by: Dan Frankian
In the GTA, and in fact throughout Southern Ontario, urban sprawl, manicured backyards, and the abundance of residential and commercial swimming pools create an ideal environment for resident Canada geese during the spring and summer months.

In this article, we'll explore the issues from the awful mess to the operational and health-related costs of a goose-infested pool or spash pad, along with practical strategies to get rid of geese and prevent them from returning.
Why Swimming Pools Attract Geese
Geese are waterfowl, even if we see them mostly on green lawns or in parks. So, water plays a huge role for geese, from hydration to escape from ground predators. If you're wondering how to get rid of the geese plaguing your property, understanding why pools attract them is the first step toward choosing an effective control strategy.
Public Park Goose Control in the GTA
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Goose populations in the GTA and the rest of southern Ontario have continued to increase. While the iconic Canadian geese are a welcome sight after a long winter, their presence and what they leave behind wreaks havoc on our public parks and green spaces. As the number of these birds continues to grow, public park goose control has become an increasingly important priority for municipalities responsible for maintaining safe, clean, and enjoyable green spaces.

Parks in the Greater Toronto Area (community parks, waterfront parks, and regional parks) often support large resident Canada goose populations as they provide everything geese want and need:
- Open grass
- Water access
- Limited predator pressure
- Large gathering areas
Permanent Raccoon Removal vs. Raccoon Relocation
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoons are probably the most common nuisance wildlife species affecting GTA properties. After all, we don't call Toronto the raccoon capital of the world for nothing.

Residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, municipal, and institutional properties can all experience the same recurring raccoon problems. Many property owners assume relocating a raccoon automatically solves the issue as this is common practice employed by most wildlife control companies.
How Habitat Management Helps with Goose Control
- Written by: Dan Frankian
It is almost July and Canada geese around the GTA and their adorable goslings are are on the lookout for lush green lawns, preferably near the edge of a lake or pond. If you'd rather not host a family of geese in your yard, read on to learn how habitat modification can help deter the birds.

Canada geese are highly intelligent birds living in a complex social structure. They need safety, food, and water to thrive and raise their offspring over the summer. By removing any one of these needs, you can greatly reduce the suitability of your property. Habitat modification can play an integral part in a long-term geese management plan, shifting the focus from reactionary measures to proactive environmental design.
Concerns for Osprey after Etobicoke's Mimico Creek Spill
- Written by: Dan Frankian
3 years after a disastrous spill of oily sludge into Mimico Creek and Humber Creek, Etobicoke's Mimico Creek is facing another environmental disaster. Emergency crews continue to respond to a diesel spill near Legion Road and Manitoba Street last Sunday.

The city of Etobicoke is working closely with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on cleanup efforts and a probe into the source and cause of the latest spill. While containment efforts are underway, concerns grow for waterfowl, raptors, aquatic and other wildlife that comes into contact with contaminated water.
Ospreys are also known as "fish hawks" and heavily depend on fishing Ontario's waterways. They are a common sight soaring over rives, creeks and shorelines, living comfortably alongside humans. Their numbers have rebounded following the ban on the pesticide DDT. Today, water contamination in rivers and lakes along with loss of habitat, and even electrocution are some of the challenges faced by Ospreys.
Concerns for Osprey Amid Mimico Creek Diesel Spill
This 2026 diesel spill in Mimico Creek could prove catastrophic for the local Osprey population. The oily substance not only coats their feathers and potentially impedes their ability to fly, but also contaminates their prime food source - fish.
While rescue efforts are ongoing, these birds of prey need the help of the public. If you are in the vicinity of Mimico Creek, Humber Bay, or nearby shorelines, please keep an eye out for Ospreys displaying any of the following symptoms:
Read more: Concerns for Osprey after Etobicoke's Mimico Creek Spill
Raccoon Removal for GTA Waste Transfer Stations
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Even though today's waste transfer stations are generally kept tidy and clean, they still attract local wildlife, raccoons in particular. (Raccoons have earned the nickname of "trash pandas" for a reason!) This situation is why waste transfer station raccoon removal has become an important operational consideration for many GTA facility operators.

Transfer stations offer a constant food supply of organic and other food waste and quiet, undisturbed roaming time during off-hours.
Moreover, the GTA's dense urban raccoon population and strict relocation laws make raccoon control at transfer stations challenging, so rather than just being a nuisance, the animals pose real operational risks.
Peregrine Falcons at FIFA Toronto 2026
- Written by: Dan Frankian

Before the fans, the players, and the excitement of the FIFA World Cup arrive at Toronto Stadium, six very special residents beat everyone to it.
High above the action, tucked away in the stadium rafters and overlooking BMO Field, a pair of Peregrine Falcons chose one of Canada's most iconic venues to raise their family. By the time the nest was discovered, four healthy chicks had already hatched and were busy growing up with a front-row seat to history.
Because Peregrine Falcons are a protected species, ensuring the safety of the birds, staff, and future spectators quickly became a shared priority.












