One Cincinnati entrepreneur’s latest invention is getting national attention for easily and effectively getting rid of the pesky Canada Geese that many a Midwesterner is familiar with.
AwayWithGeese, developed by Thomas Wells of Sayler Park, has been on the market for seven years. The solar-powered device works by emitting bursts of light that simulate the eye reflection of the predators of geese, disrupting their nightly sleep. AwayWithGeese looks like a much larger version of the solar lights that many homeowners place in their yards.
The light’s base is black, and the orange light fixture emits the glow of a 100-watt bulb. One light can cover about three acres, but is barely detectible to humans, Wells says. The light can stay outside year round, and can operate for up to six days on a charge.
Wells says AwayWithGeese offers an easy and humane way to get rid of the Canada Geese that plague ponds and waterways near golf courses, businesses and homes. Those geese aren’t just a nuisance, they’re dirty, leaving behind two-to-four pounds of waste a day.
“Geese like to eat, sleep and poop in the same place. If you take away their ability to do one of those things, they’ll go find a new spot,” Wells says. “They can’t sleep with our patented light.”
Wells product has been sold around the world, has 55 U.S. and Canadian distributors and has been featured in a host of news articles. Most recently, it was featured in DIY Networks Brother’s on Call home renovation show. The show aired July 1, and you can catch it in repeats through mid-August.
“It’s been good publicity for us,” Wells says.
Individual property owners make up the company’s largest chunk of customers. Municipalities, parks, high schools, universities and golf courses are also big buyers.
It looks as if AwayWithGeese will have plenty of room to grow. When Wells first developed the product it was estimated there were 1.8 million geese in the U.S. throughout the year. That number has jumped to 8 million today, Wells says.
Since the company’s start, he has developed several versions of the product to suit customer needs. There are land-based and water-based units, as well as rooftop and sports field units. The lights range in price from $349 to $379.
By Feoshia Henderson Davis