Goose Control

How to Keep Geese from Destroying Your Backyard

If your garden, pool or spa area is being invaded by pest geese, you’re going to have a busy spring and summer—cleaning and chasing these pest birds. If you haven’t already discovered, geese are big, aggressive and noisy. And they pretty much go where they feel like it, trampling your flower garden and pooping in your pool, spa or decorative water feature. Goose droppings can cause bacterial and algae problems. And they can carry a number of diseases, including swimmer’s itch, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis and giardia.

If your home is near a lake, reservoir, or large pond, you’ll have geese snooping and pooping around your property. Homes near a river or seashore are equally vulnerable. Geese enjoy munching on grasses and aquatic plants—plants you can say goodbye to if geese decide to pay you a visit. Geese possess superb homing capabilities, which means if you failed to effectively deter them last year, they’ll be back this year. To prevent this, you’ll need an effective and humane goose control strategy.

Fortunately, the bird control experts at Bird-B-Gone offer a number of goose deterrents that will keep geese away from your property.

Scare Birds Away with Sounds Geese Hate

The Solar Bird Chase Super Sonic broadcasts pre-recorded distress and predator calls that convince birds—including geese—that their winged brethren are being attacked. The calls are broadcast for two minutes and repeated every 10 minutes to convince geese that the threat is imminent and real. The Solar Bird Chase Super Sonic was designed to discourage geese and other bird pests from flocking to large commercial areas, so it has plenty of range and reach to handle your backyard. The device comes with a built-in speaker to cover a full acre of property. Best of all, it’s solar powered and works even on overcast days. The rugged, high quality device is constructed of UV-protected materials, making it sun- and weather-resistant. A handy LCD display panel lets you set the volume and program the device to automatically shut off at night.

Scare Birds Away with the Scarecrow

Geese bold enough to enter a yard guarded by the Scarecrow will get a sudden and annoying surprise—a blast of water that will send them running. The harmless water blast, alarming sprinkler sound, and realistic looking bird-like moving head will "persuade" geese to stay away. Simple to set up and easy to use, the Scarecrow connects to your garden hose, yet it uses only 2 to 3 cups of water per spray. Scarecrows cover approximately 1,200 square feet with a stream that reaches out 35 feet and 45 feet wide. They guard your backyard, day and night for up to 6 months, delivering as many as 1,000 water blasts on one 9-volt battery. And you can easily adjust a Scarecrow’s sensitivity and coverage distance.

Golf Course Manager’s “Goose Gets Cooked” over Killing Geese

The Farms Golf Club in Dyersburg, TN plays along several lakes. And where there are lakes, there are Canada geese, which often create major headaches for golf course managers. One Farms manager recently faced the wrath of local residents when he resorted to killing geese that invaded the golf course and adjoining residential area. Grounds crew even resorted to running the geese over with golf carts, which left several of the large birds crippled. The geese were damaging the newly renovated course to the tune of thousands of dollars. Besides angering the local residents, the manger may face big fines for each goose he shot, since killing Canada Geese is a federal offense. On top of that, the manager faces local charges for firing weapons inside city limits.

Having learned his lesson, the golf course manager agreed to consider more humane solutions to the goose problem. The professional bird control experts at Bird-B-Gone have a few suggestions:

Migrate Goose Repellent to Quell Their Taste for Turf

Ideal for large grassy areas like golf courses and industrial parks, Bird-B-Gone’s Migrate Goose Repellent is a non-toxic liquid that’s easily applied using a standard sprayer. The active ingredient—Methyl Anthranilate (MA)—irritates a goose’s trigeminal nerves and mucous membranes. It won't harm birds, people or pets. It’s basically a non-lethal grape extract regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act). You don’t even have to cover the entire course with Migrate, just concentrate on the areas most frequented by geese. Rain or sprinklers will not wash it off and any run-off will not contaminate nearby bodies of water. Economical to use, one gallon treats 16,000 sq. ft. After one taste, invading geese will quickly get the message that your turf tastes terrible and move on.

Bird Foggers to Drive Stubborn Birds Out

If flocks of pest birds (geese) must be removed quickly (without waiting for them to sample the taste of your turf), you have what’s known in goose control lingo as a “high bird pressure” area. In this case, you’ll need a more immediate solution—like Bird-B-Gone’s Bird Fogger. This chemical bird repellent (applied with a fogger) contains the same food-grade methyl anthranilate mentioned above. Bird foggers have been successfully used to repel gulls, mallards, Canada geese, pigeons, starlings, blackbirds and cowbirds. For best results, fogging agents should be used in the early morning hours or late evening when birds are concentrated in a single area.

There’s no doubt that geese can easily become bird pests if they are not properly controlled. The key, of course, is to prepare for their arrival with humane and effective goose repellents. “An ounce of prevention” as they say.

Homeowners…Got Geese? Get Goose Control!

Get rid of geese, get rid of geese with goose control products and repellents

If your home is close to the ocean, a river, lake, reservoir, or large pond, you’ve probably had a run-in with geese. They munch on your lawn and on your aquatic and decorative plants. Canada geese will do even more damage, weighing up to 24 pounds, they can trample most gardens flat, leave a huge mess, and even chase small pets and toddlers, giving them quite a scare.

If you have any type of water feature—pool, spa, fountain or pond—they can quickly contaminate it with droppings. These droppings can cause bacterial and algae problems. They also carry diseases, including swimmer’s itch, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis and giardia.

If you’re tempted to use pellet guns, poisons or other lethal means, keep in mind that Canada geese are a protected species under state and federal law. It’s illegal to hunt or kill them. Only humane goose deterrents are allowed. So what can you do?

For starters, you should clear away any tall reeds and plants around your home. You should also increase the angle of any embankments near water around your home. Once you’ve done that, it's wise to invest in some effective, humane goose deterrents. Fortunately, there are several you can choose to get rid of geese:

Goose-B-Gone Super Sonic Goose Deterrent

This advanced sound goose deterrent system broadcasts a series of pre-recorded goose distress calls. The calls are recorded in their natural habitat and repeated every 10 minutes. Geese, being ever alert to danger, will avoid the area and move on. The ruggedly constructed unit is weather-resistant and comes with a built-in speaker that covers up to an acre of property. If you have a large property, you can add more speakers to ensure maximum coverage. The unit can be set to shut off automatically at night. And unlike other goose sound deterrents that play high-pitched ultrasonic noises (which geese can’t hear anyway), the Super Sonic won’t bother your neighbors or pets.

Scarecrow

Geese get a sobering but harmless surprise when they enter a Scarecrow’s radius of protection—a healthy blast of water from the Scarecrow’s sprinkler head. Geese will be persuaded by the water blast and opt not to return. Scarecrows connect easily to most garden hoses and they cover 1,200 square feet (about 35 feet by 45 feet). Both the sensitivity and the coverage area can be fine tuned to the needs of your yard.

Migrate Goose Repellent

Known as a taste-aversion goose repellent, Migrate is a non-toxic liquid that makes grass and other plants inedible to geese. The active ingredient--a grape extract known as Methyl Anthranilate--irritates a goose's trigeminal nerves and mucous membranes. Not to worry, it’s safe for use around people, geese and pets. This goose repellent comes in a gallon container, which is enough for about 16,000 square feet. The repellent lasts a full three months and won't wash off with rain or watering.

Homeowners, Say Hello to Sonic Deterrents…and Goodbye to Geese!

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you’re a homeowner who takes pride in her garden, pool or spa area, you’ll want to read this. It’s about what Canada Geese can do to your property. These geese will be migrating in the spring and fall over North America. They have long black necks, a white “chin strap,” and brownish grey feathers. If you see them landing on your property, you’ll want to invest in some goose deterrents.

If your home is near a lake, reservoir, or even a large pond, you’ll more than likely be invaded by geese. Homes near a river or seashore are just as vulnerable. Geese like to munch on grasses and aquatic plants. So you can say goodbye to those expensive, decorative plants if geese decide to pay you a visit. Geese have excellent homing capabilities, which means if you didn’t effectively deter them last year, they’ll be back this year. To prevent this, you’ll need to deter the geese with a humane and effective goose control strategy.

Canada geese are big enough to trample and destroy most gardens (they can weigh up to 24 lbs). They can also be quite aggressive, chasing small pets and toddlers with an annoying “honking” noise. In flight, geese can reach speeds up to 50 mph, so they can and will knock down a small child. Since they are territorial birds, they will protect their nest and eggs from a human or house pet. To protect your home from geese, bird control experts have developed goose deterrents.

Geese are also not very hospitable when it comes to pools, uncovered spas, fountains or ponds. They’ll take a dump in or around them, contaminating these areas and leaving you with a time-consuming cleanup job. Goose droppings can cause bacterial and algae problems. They carry diseases, including swimmer’s itch, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis and giardia. The parasite larvae crawl onto the skin and burrow under it, creating a red itchy rash.

As previously mentioned, to keep geese away from your home and property, you’ll need some serious geese deterrents. Banging pots, shooting BB guns and leaving poisons are ineffective and dangerous to pets and children. Fortunately, there are a number of goose deterrents currently available to homeowners that are both humane and effective.

One such deterrent is the Super Sonic Goose Deterrent. This advanced sound deterrent system plays recorded goose distress calls to deter geese from outdoor areas. The distress and alarm calls are recorded in their natural habitat and are played every ten minutes. Each system is sun- and weather-resistant (so you can use it outdoors) and features a built-in speaker that covers up to an acre of land. You can add more speakers to cover larger areas. An LCD panel on the front displays system status and shows your specific settings. For example, you can program the system to shut off automatically at night. And unlike other goose sound deterrents that play high-pitched ultrasonic noises, the Super Sonic is safe to use around animals and pets.

Effective Ways to Get Geese Off Your Property

by Terra Anders

Many landowners spend a good deal of time and energy on bird prevention or removal.
Geese, for example, are very social creatures and can commonly be found hanging out with their family and friends at docks, golf courses, park areas, wetlands, marshes, or residential lakeside homes. They are also prolific breeders, so even a small manageable group of geese can become a whole gaggle in a few short years. These birds are notoriously messy, leaving unsightly and unsanitary fecal droppings all over. In addition to introducing possible parasites and disease, the feces can be difficult to remove and eats away at the protective coatings on vehicles, boats, decks and buildings. This can result in a real problem for property owners and sends them seeking effective goose deterrents.

If geese have already settled in to stay on your property, they can be motivated to leave by making the grazing area less palatable. Large grassy areas can be sprayed with a non-toxic goose repellent that will disagree with the birds’ taste buds and send them looking for better tasting feeding grounds. Several other bird removal techniques are available that work to scare birds away from the property and encourage them to relocate elsewhere. Scare methods take advantage of the goose’s natural fear of predators or harm. Creating the sense of danger in the environment frequented by the geese will send them packing to less frightening surroundings.

Bright colors and the eyes of a predator may work to get rid of birds and geese in concentrated areas like pools, lakeside docks, or patios. One inexpensive solution might be placing large colorful PVC scare balloons with predator-like eye decals randomly around the affected area. Geese become confused and uncomfortable and leave looking for a less threatening location.

Lakeside properties and open areas may require more real-life goose deterrents. Life-like plastic coyote decoys can be installed at the birds’ common entry points, convincing them to move along before they enter. Moving these decoys from one entry point to another every few weeks will trick the geese into thinking this is a real threat and not a permanent fixture.

A motion-activated sprinkler device can be installed and programmed to release a spray of water when large birds like geese come near the property. This is used in conjunction with a common garden hose and works quite well to keep geese away from the area before they even land.

Some geese respond better to the sound of fellow geese in distress. Weatherproof outdoor programmable goose sound systems are available that can be set to broadcast a specific goose call of danger. The call lasts for two minutes and repeats at set intervals, disturbing the birds and activating their natural instinct to flee.

Whether the geese are scouting for new territory, or have found a comfortable place to call home, any of these goose deterrent methods used alone or in combination, can offer property owners peace of mind and useful, safe and non-toxic bird control.

Goose Control Made Simple

by Alex A. Kecskes

A former chef at the Villa Victor in Syosset who claimed he was attacked by a goose sued the restaurant for $1 million. Richard Braue insisted that he was standing by a pond on the restaurant's property when he was charged by a Canada goose. In a fruitless attempt to stay clear of the attacking goose, Braue fell and broke his back.

In Jacksonville, Florida, a goose created somewhat of a ruckus outside an office building on Salisbury Road. Having built its nest near the perimeter of the building, the goose attacked passersby. Some say the bird is just protecting its nest. But police recently reported that the goose actually bit a woman's ear.

Residents in Gotwals Pond in Kimberton, Chester County, Pennsylvania reported that there were 500 to 600 Canada geese on the pond. In fact, Jeff Effgan, part owner of the Kimberton Country House restaurant--which is a stone's throw from the pond--said that one day there were so many geese on the pond, the water wasn't even visible. Needless to say, the pond smelled pretty ripe that day.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, the growing numbers of resident Canada geese pose a threat to public health and safety and cause damage to property, agriculture and natural resources.

Without effective goose control measures, geese will typically flock around lakes, reservoirs, large ponds, and near rivers and seashores. They like to feed on aquatic vegetation, grasses, seeds and grain. When adult geese molt their flight feathers in the summer, they can't fly and simply gather in huge annoying flocks, pecking and bumping into anyone who they regard as a threat to "their territory."

Even when not attacking people or knocking down children, geese will leave an awful mess. The smelly, disease-carrying droppings can contaminate ponds, lakes and other bodies of water. And they're not exactly welcome around golf courses and business parks.

Fortunately, there are a variety of goose deterrents available to commercial property owners. These are humane, since many species of geese are protected by federal and local statutes.

For large, open spaces, one popular goose deterrent is the Supersonic Goose Deterrent. This easy-to-use device plays recorded goose-distress calls every ten minutes to alert geese that danger is nearby. Geese hear these calls and their natural instinct makes them leave the area. The devices come with one internal and two external speakers to provide effective goose deterrents for up to three acres. Additional speakers can be added to cover larger areas. The rugged device is both sun and waterproof and can be programmed to turn on or off at night.

For smaller areas, you might try hanging a few Visual Goose Scare Deterrents. One popular deterrent in this category is the Predator Eye Balloon. About the size of a standard beach ball, it intimidates geese with its large predator eyes as it bobs and weaves in the breeze. Geese take one look at this "huge predator" and they become too nervous to hang around and loiter. The balloons are made of a U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl.

To deter geese from pools and other bodies of water, Predator Eye Balloons can be partially filled with water and allowed to skim the surface with their predator eyes facing up to frighten geese.

The time to implement these goose deterrents is now, before flocks of geese arrive. It's also a good idea use goose deterrents in tandem. And to move them around for best deterrent effect.

Goose Control Made Simple