What Wild Goose Chase does

Wild Goose Chase is a professional bird control services company founded in 1998 by Susan Hagberg, headquartered in Chicago Ridge, Illinois. The company provides science-based bird management solutions exclusively to commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties, explicitly excluding residential service. Its service portfolio spans four core categories: bird removal (trained canine patrols, handheld lasers, targeted trapping), bird deterrence and exclusion (automated laser systems, goose repellent lawn applications, netting, spikes, tension wire, window collision prevention), population control (federal-permitted egg depredation and nest management for geese and gulls), and supporting services (site evaluations, consulting, and biohazard cleanup). The underlying technology stack combines certified wildlife biology expertise with proprietary physical systems, including AVIX Autonomic Mark II automated lasers, Symterra Pulse electromagnetic deterrence, custom-fabricated metal exclusion systems built in-house, and mobile laser mounting platforms engineered for repositioning across active construction sites.

The company operates through four regional branches across the Midwest: Chicago Ridge, IL (headquarters), Brookfield, WI (operating as Migratory Bird Management), Indianapolis, IN, and Detroit, MI. Its go-to-market motion is enterprise field sales driven by website inquiries, ISNetworld prequalification visibility, industry association memberships (NWCOA, BOMA, IFMA, IREM, SFMA), and professional referrals. All engagements begin with a comprehensive on-site evaluation by certified wildlife biologists, followed by a customized solution design; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year service contracts as the typical billing structure. Revenue is generated through project-based professional services with multi-year contract cadences, accepted via check, credit card, and ACH.

The company holds Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) certification, is a member of ISNetworld since 2017, and is led by Susan Hagberg (CEO & President) alongside COO Marcus Hagberg, Lead Biologist Carla Wagner, and directors overseeing field operations, business operations, and canine management. Documented outcomes across enterprise customers include 70-95% reductions in bird-related damage metrics, spanning airports, universities, water purification plants, dairy farms, vineyards, and corporate campuses. The firm has grown organically for nearly 30 years with no disclosed external funding, no M&A activity, and no technology platform dependencies on AI/ML systems.

Name

Wild Goose Chase

Legal name

Wild Goose Chase, Inc.

Website

https://wildgoosechasers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wild Goose Chase is a Midwest-based professional bird control services company founded in 1998, delivering science-based bird removal, deterrence, exclusion, and population control solutions to commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan using certified wildlife biologists, trained canine teams, and proprietary laser and electromagnetic deterrent systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Management Services

NAICS

Exterminating and Pest Control Services (561710)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Control & Exclusion (IMAIAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bird Control & Deterrent Systems (AFACAGAE), Bird Trapping, Removal & Relocation (Where Permitted) (HSAMAGAF), Bird Droppings Cleanup & Decontamination (Guano Removal, Disinfection) (HSAMAGAH), Visual & Reflective Deterrents (Predator Decoys, Tape, Lasers) (HSAMAGAI)

Keywords

• Commercial bird control
• Wildlife management services
• Bird deterrent systems
• Avian population control
• Bird exclusion solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago Ridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Bird Control Services: Core revenue stream from providing bird removal, deterrence, exclusion, and population control services to commercial and industrial properties. Services include site evaluation, custom solution design, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Revenue is project-based and service-contract driven.
2. Goose Repellent Lawn Application: Flight Control lawn applications for goose deterrence on large commercial properties such as corporate campuses, golf courses, and sports facilities.
3. Egg Depredation Permits: Population control services through federal permit acquisition and egg removal for geese and gulls. Company manages entire permit process including documentation, submission, and regulatory reporting.
4. Biohazard Clean-up Services: Bird biohazard cleanup services including safe removal of accumulated waste and nesting materials using appropriate protective equipment and commercial grade solvents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wild Goose Chase delivers integrated, science-based bird control services to commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties across the Midwest. Core offerings span bird removal (trained canine patrols, handheld lasers, targeted trapping), bird deterrence and exclusion (automated laser systems, repellent lawn applications, netting, spikes, tension wire), population control (federal egg depredation permits and nest management for geese and gulls), and supporting services including site evaluations, wildlife consulting, and biohazard cleanup. All engagements begin with on-site evaluation by certified wildlife biologists and are customized to property, species, and regulatory requirements under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Product overview

Wild Goose Chase is a professional bird control services company offering an integrated suite of science-based solutions for commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. The core offering combines four main service categories: Bird Removal Services (using trained canine patrols and handheld lasers), Bird Deterrence & Exclusion Services (automated lasers, repellent applications, and physical barriers), Population Control Services (egg depredation and nest management), and Additional Management Services (site evaluations, consulting, and biohazard cleanup). The company distinguishes itself through specialized technology solutions including AVIX Autonomic Mark II automated laser systems and Symterra Pulse electromagnetic deterrence, along with custom-fabricated exclusion systems. Services are delivered by certified wildlife biologists and trained field teams, supporting diverse industries from agriculture and healthcare to airports and water treatment facilities. The company holds WBE certification and operates multiple regional branches across the Midwest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bird Removal Services Humane bird removal services for commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties using trained canine handlers, handheld light lasers, and targeted trapping of non-protected species to encourage birds to leave the property.
• Bird Deterrence & Exclusion Services Prevention solutions that stop birds from landing, roosting, or nesting using automated light laser systems, goose repellent lawn applications, netting, spikes, tension wire, and window collision prevention products, tailored to commercial and industrial properties.
• Population Control Services Long-term bird population management for geese and gulls through federal and state permitted egg depredation and nest management programs, reducing nesting success year over year on commercial and institutional properties.
• Additional Bird Management Services Supporting services for ongoing bird management including on-site evaluations, solutions consultation, and biohazard cleanup of bird-related contamination on commercial and industrial properties.
• Trained Canine Service (Dog Patrols) Trained border collies and other working dogs used for bird harassment and patrol services, particularly effective for goose control on commercial lawns, corporate campuses, golf courses, and sports facilities; managed by certified dog trainers and overseen by biology staff.
• Laser Bird Deterrent Systems Automated and handheld laser systems that project moving laser patterns birds perceive as physical threats, with customizable sweep patterns to prevent habituation; can run 24/7 and cover over 1,000 feet, suitable for open environments, waterfront properties, and active construction sites.
• Custom Exclusion Systems Custom-designed and fabricated metal exclusion systems including netting, spikes, and tension wire installations to prevent birds from accessing difficult-to-manage areas such as rooftops, ledges, and structural features on commercial and industrial properties.
• Goose Repellent Lawn Application Flight Control lawn applications that make grass areas unattractive to geese, reducing goose presence on large commercial properties such as corporate campuses, golf courses, and sports facilities.
• Egg Depredation Services Federal permit-based removal of gull and goose eggs to manage bird populations over time, reducing nesting success year-over-year; the company manages the entire permit process including documentation, submission, and regulatory reporting.
• Bird Biohazard Clean Up Services Safe removal of accumulated bird waste and nesting materials using appropriate protective equipment and commercial-grade solvents to restore contaminated areas on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties.
• Bird Management Consulting Expert consultation services for nuisance bird management planning across commercial, municipal, and agricultural properties, integrating wildlife biology expertise with property-specific solutions.
• Bird Site Evaluation Comprehensive on-site evaluations to assess bird pressure, species activity, and property-specific challenges, used to develop customized bird management strategies for commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers.
• Symterra Pulse Electromagnetic Bird Deterrence Advanced electromagnetic field systems (Symterra Pulse) that create fields birds find uncomfortable without harm, interfering with natural navigation systems in enclosed processing areas with persistent bird habitation patterns.

Quantifiable outcome

• Industrial facility achieved 78% reduction in Canada Goose activity
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ISNetworldcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Member since 2017. ISNetworld is a global contractor and supplier management platform that verifies compliance, safety, and training standards. Through this affiliation, clients can review documented safety programs, incident records, workers' compensation information, certifications, insurance coverage, and background screenings. Many corporations and municipalities use ISNetworld as a prequalification tool when selecting service providers.
• National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association keeping the company connected to evolving standards in bird management and environmental consulting. Allows access to training, emerging innovations, and industry best practices.
• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational commercial real estate association providing networking and professional development opportunities with property managers and building owners.
• International Facility Management Association (IFMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for facility managers providing access to industry standards, best practices, and professional network connections.
• Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for real estate managers supporting connections with property management professionals.
• Sports Field Management Association (SFMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for sports field managers providing industry connections for golf course and sports facility bird management services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bird-X: Chicago-based bird and pest deterrent products company selling ultrasonic devices, visual deterrents, and laser systems. Comparable as a bird-control category specialist overlapping on deterrent technology (particularly lasers) used by Wild Goose Chase.
• Bird Barrier America: Supplier of bird exclusion and deterrent products (BirdNet, BirdSlide, optical gel) for commercial properties. Comparable product-and-solutions bird-control competitor serving overlapping customer segments.
• Hawkeye Bird Control: Regional bird control services provider using dogs, lasers, and exclusion methods across the U.S. Closely comparable turnkey-service competitor with similar technology stack (canine patrols, automated lasers) to Wild Goose Chase.
• Bird B Gone: U.S. manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent products (spikes, netting, tracks, visual deterrents) serving commercial and industrial facilities. Directly comparable as a bird-control specialist, though weighted toward product sales rather than turnkey service delivery like Wild Goose Chase.
• Avian Enterprises: Bird control services and consulting firm using trained raptors, netting, and exclusion for airports, landfills, and industrial sites. Comparable specialty service competitor with overlapping enterprise customer base and bird-management expertise.
• Nixalite of America: Manufacturer of bird control products (spikes, wire, netting, electric track systems) sold through distributors to commercial facilities. Comparable as a niche bird-control specialist with overlapping exclusion and deterrence offerings.

Emerging players

• Bird Control Group: Dutch-origin laser bird deterrent technology vendor (AVIX) — Wild Goose Chase is a customer/user of its AVIX Autonomic Mark II laser. Comparable as an emerging technology player reshaping the bird-deterrence category and a supplier/partner dynamic relative to Wild Goose Chase.

Broad incumbents

• Truly Nolen Pest Control: Large national pest control company offering bird management as one of many service lines alongside general pest and termite. Comparable as a competitor for commercial pest contracts, though not a bird specialist.
• Ecolab Pest Elimination: Global hygiene and pest elimination services provider serving food processing, healthcare, and hospitality. Comparable in serving the same high-compliance enterprise verticals (food, healthcare, utilities) where Wild Goose Chase sells bird control.
• Orkin (Rollins): Largest U.S. pest control operator offering bird control among broad services to commercial and industrial accounts. Comparable in serving enterprise facility managers, though bird control is a small line within a much larger portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wgcbirdcontrol

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wild Goose Chase