Keeping Geese Off Your Property

Description:

Canada Geese are recognized by the “V” formation they create as they migrate in the spring and fall over North America. Up close, they can be identified by their long black necks, a white “chin strap”, and brownish grey feathers. The birds are large, weighing up to 24lbs, and let out a very distinguishable “honking” noise.

What’s Attracting Geese to your Property?

America is covered with wetland areas that provide the vegetation and climate geese need to thrive. Geese are grazers, and lawns near water provide an excellent food source. Golf courses, gardens, beaches, residential lawns, and parks are regularly becoming swamped with geese.  Studies have shown that a healthy full grown goose can produce up to 1.5 lbs of feces every day. 

Habitat: They are found on large inland bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs and large ponds; as well as on seashores and rivers. Canada Geese are grazers so they are often found on grassland.
 
Food Source: Seeds, grasses and aquatic plants make up the main portion of their diet.
 

Taking an Integrated Approach:

Many national wildlife organizations suggest taking an “integrated” approach when trying to deter geese from a property. Trying to resolve the goose problem from a few different angles is usually the most successful.  

Identifying the aspects of your property that are attracting the geese and then removing or changing the attractions is an ideal way of handling the situation. In the end altering the goose's behavior will be more effective than lethal or harmful means. If the habitat isn’t modified, geese will still be attracted to the area.

Avenues to consider:  

Discourage Feeding

•  Usually a problem in public areas, asking patrons to not feed the geese could have a big impact
   

Habitat Modification

• Clearing away brush
• Increasing the angle of an embankment near water can help discourage geese from entering your water front property
   

Scare Tactics

• Sound and Visual Deterrents can be used to scare off geese
   

Humane Removal

• Local Wildlife companies can trap and release the birds
  
  

Goose Deterrents

• Motion-activated sprinklers work well at keeping geese from docks, lawns and other areas
   

Goose Repellents

• Make grass and vegetation inedible for geese

Products That Will Help Keep Geese Off Your Property:

Goose-B-Gone Super Sonic

The Goose-B-Gone Supersonic is an outdoor sound device designed to deter geese from large open spaces.

How It Works: Goose distress calls are broadcasted every ten minutes to alert geese of danger. When geese hear these calls, their natural instinct is to flee the area. The Goose-B-Gone system is weatherproof and can be programmed to turn on/off at night. Each Goose-B-Gone System is sold with an internal speaker and two external speakers that will cover a total of 3 acres. You can purchase additional speakers to cover larger areas. The additional speakers come with 100 feet of wire and connect directly into the back of the unit. Goose-B-Gone Sonic comes with a standard 110v power cord.  

    
Features:

• Ideal for large open spaces
• Weather proof
• Can be set to turn off at night, on again in the morning
• Can cover up to 5 acres (with additional speakers)

Migrate Goose Repellent

Migrate turf spray is a non toxic liquid goose repellent used to make grass areas unpalatable to geese.

How It Works: Migrate is a liquid goose repellent made from a non toxic grape extract that geese cannot stand. The goose repellent is applied to grass or shrub areas where geese have been grazing. When geese go to feed on treated areas, they will realize there is no longer a food source, and move on. Migrate lasts 3 months outdoors, and won’t wash off with rain or water.

Features:

• Non-toxic – safe to use around people and pets!
• Will not wash off with rain or water
• Each gallon covers 16,000 square feet

Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler

The Scarecrow is a motion activated sprinkler used to keep geese out of yards and other open spaces.

How It Works: The Scarecrow sprays out a stream of water when motion is sensed within 35 feet in front of the unit. The Scarecrow attaches to a garden hose and runs off a 9-volt battery. Each unit can spray up to 35 feet out, and 45 feet wide. Geese will not like being sprayed with water, and will move on to a more comfortable spot.     
    
Features:

• Ideal for yards, docks and water front areas
• Easily attaches to a simple garden hose

Coyote Decoy

The Coyote Decoy is a visual deterrent used to deter geese from open spaces.

How It Works: Coyotes are a natural predator of geese, when they see the image of the coyote they will be frightened and leave the area. Each decoy is made out of a U.V. resistant durable plastic, and is meant for outdoor use. The Coyote Decoy is a simple, economical way to deter geese and ducks from your property. Installing the decoy right where the birds enter the property will help ensure that they associate your property with the predator. Periodically changing the location of the decoy will give the best results, this helps prevent the bird from getting used to the image.     
    
Features:

• Simple / low cost solution
• UV and weather resistant