You take great pride in your lawn. You feed it, weed it, mow it and admire it. But most importantly, you want to protect it.
One threat to your lawn is the activity of pest birds. In particular, large birds like geese and ducks who often graze on green lawns, leaving ugly bare patches. Or annoying, busy-body birds like crows who can quickly ruin a beautiful lawn by digging for grubs. The divots they leave can leave a lawn looking shoddy and damaged. There’s also the accumulation of bird droppings, which is not only unsightly but infested with diseases like E. coli and Salmonella. You don’t want that on your lawn, especially if you have children playing on it.Compounding the problem is the fact that nesting geese and ducks can also be quite territorial. If they feel threatened while grazing on your lawn they will go after small children and pets. As a homeowner, you know better than to go after these protected birds with poisons or pellet guns—especially if you have children, pets and sensitive neighbors. You also know from past experience that simply blasting pest birds with a garden hose is fairly ineffective—unless you stand guard with a hose 24/7. You’ve come to realize that the only way to keep pest birds away from your lawn is to implement the effective and humane deterrents used by professional bird control experts. Here are three bird deterrents that will do the trick:ScarecrowEasily attached to any garden hose, Scarecrow's hit invading birds with a harmless blast of water. Perfect for lawns, the Scarecrow uses just 2 to 3 cups of water per spray, yet covers a full 1,200 square feet with a stream that reaches out 35 feet and 45 feet wide. The scarecrow stands guard, day and night for up to 6 months (over 1,000 "firings") on a single 9-volt battery. Hawk DecoyMost birds avoid any areas where hawks are present. Place one or two of these hawk decoys in a highly visible position and say good-bye to pest birds converging on your lawn. It’s important to get quality made realistic looking decoys, and to move them around often to convince birds the decoys are a “live” threat. Some decoys are hollow at the base so you can fill them with sand for added stability. Sonic Goose DeterrentsIdeal for large lawns, Sonic Goose Deterrents broadcast goose distress and predator calls that resemble normal bird sounds to humans (so they won’t irritate pets or your friends and neighbors). If you’ve got all manner of birds attacking your lawn, get the Goose-B-Gone Supersonic system. It can emit distress and predator calls of geese. This unit covers up to an acre and can be programmed to turn on or off at night.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 DeterrentThis 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.ScarecrowGeese 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 RepellentKnown 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.Here are what the pros use:
ScarecrowsNo, we’re not talking about the straw-stuffed mannequins you find in cornfields. These are high-tech, motion-activated sprinklers that douse geese with a sobering but harmless blast of water. The very second a wandering or stubborn goose invades a scarecrow’s radius of protection, they get hit with a blast of water emerging from a realistic looking bird head. It doesn’t take long for geese to realize that your garden is a no-geese zone. Scarecrows are easily connected to your garden hose, and you can adjust their sensitivity and blast radius. They typically cover an an area of about 1,200 square feet (35-foot by 45-foot wide). And you can get up to 1,000 "firings" on a single 9-volt battery. Scare Eye Diverters and Predator Eye BalloonsWorking on the principle of visual intimidation, Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons sport big mock predator eyes that convince geese they are being watched and about to be attacked by a large predator. These visual goose deterrents bob and weave in the breeze to give the impression of live movement. Diverters and balloons are easily affixed to patio covers, gazebos, tree branches, or any elevated area in your garden. The balloons can be filled partially with water to skim the surface of your pool, spa or water feature to keep geese away. All you have to remember with these deterrents is to move them around from time to time. Sonic Goose Deterrents Striking fear into the hearts of geese, Sonic Goose Deterrents broadcast a series of pre-recorded distress and predator calls over a wide area of your garden—up to one acre). The best sonic deterrents are desgined to withstand harsh outdoor weather. Look for units that can be programmed to shut off automatically at night. Needless to say, when it comes to protecting your garden from invading geese, the best time to install these goose deterrents is before the geese arrive.
by Alex A. KecskesIf 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.
by Alex A. KecskesGeese love ponds and lakefront property. If your home has a pond or is near a body of water, you may be inundated with geese--unless you implement effective geese deterrents. Areas with mowed lawns are particularly attractive to these birds because they allow geese to see predators from afar. This gives them peace of mind to roam, trample and poop on your property. Of course, planted areas are equally vulnerable. Most geese will be looking for areas to rear her young. A planted area offers protection for a goose, her mate and their young during incubation. It offers concealment from predators and is ideal for entire goose families to sleep, all while remaining sheltered and hidden. There are at least 10 different species of geese, they weigh as much as 24 lbs and can be up to four feet long. Geese generally fall into two categories: Migrating geese and resident Canada geese. The latter can deposit up to a pound of droppings. They will invade your garden, squawking and trampling down flowers and plants like a heard of buffalo. They can also be fairly aggressive, chasing pets and small children. Like most bird droppings, Goose droppings can carry diseases—a real problem if you have a pool spa or fishpond.What to do? You can’t have geese invading your property. Will bang cannons, BB guns, avicides and firecrackers do the trick? Hardly. These measures are way too dangerous or bothersome to be used in the presence of family, neighbors and pets. Luckily, there are a number of humane, rational and effective geese deterrents you can use.For starters, there’s the Sonic Goose Deterrent. It plays actual distress and alarm calls of Canada Geese that have been recorded in their natural habitat. These calls are repeated every ten minutes. When geese hear these calls, their natural instinct is to leave your backyard post haste. The best sonic deterrents are weather resistant and can be programmed to turn off at night. They also include a built-in speaker that covers up to an acre of land. Unlike other goose sound deterrents that play high pitched ultrasonic noises, one popular goose control sonic system was developed by working with ornithologists at a major university and safe to use around animals and pets.Another highly effective goose deterrent is the Scarecrow. This advanced motion activated device frightens geese away the minute they enter a motion sensor’s field of activation. Geese that experience the triple combo of water blast, startling sprinkler sound, and realistic looking bird-like moving head are loath to return.Scarecrows will protect gardens, lawns, pools, spas and most any water feature. They connect easily to most garden hoses and offer over 1,200 square feet of protection that extends 35 feet out by 45-foot wide. Scarecrows are inexpensive to operate, providing as many as 1,000 "firings" on a single 9-volt battery. You can adjust their sensitivity and range to meet the specific needs of your garden, pool or spa.The time to install and set up goose deterrents is now, before the geese arrive and settle in your home garden. So plan ahead, evaluate your garden, pools, spas and water features. Get the right goose deterrent for your needs and let someone else worry about geese invading their garden.
by Terra AndersResidential lakeside homes are sought after for their wonderful views, and temperate climates. They also often have to deal with pest birds, like geese. Homes that have large lawns with a clear line of vision from the grass to the shoreline may find geese settling there in increasing numbers. Geese are grazers, so they like to waddle around snacking on grass and seeds in the lawn. Large groups of geese can be seen settled on lawns, sunning and preening themselves while keeping an eye out for predators. These habits make a large grassy area with a fast, visible escape route to the water, a sought after commodity for geese. As beautiful as they are to look at, these large birds soon wear out their welcome. They can quickly increase in numbers, fouling the grass, sand or boat docks with their droppings. The lovely Canada Goose is quite prolific, starting their reproductive life at about 2 years of age. An average goose couple can produce about four offspring each year. Since the geese live to be about ten or eleven years, that means that just one pair of geese and their offsprings alone can increase the gaggle to several hundred in just a few years! If homeowners have not built in well-planned goose deterrents, the mess left by the geese families can depreciate the value of the property considerably.Hunting geese as a means of controlling the population is frowned upon by many, it is actually a realistic means of controlling goose populations in some areas. It is allowed in some states, but only under very controlled conditions. Never shoot Canadian Geese on a property before first checking with the local Department of Fish and Wildlife authorities. They can provide hunting limitations, removal guidelines and rules that should be followed without compromise. Actually, some basic landscaping tips and a couple of easy goose control methods can be employed to keep the geese population in check and property cleaner, safer and more pleasant. Geese look for three main things when selecting their long-term residence: safety, food and adequate tall water grasses for nesting. Any kind of effective geese deterrent plan must address all three of these.Goose-Resistant Landscaping: Making your shoreline less attractive to geese, but still a lovely view for humans isn’t as tough as it wounds. Eliminating the clear view line from grass to water is probably the most effective landscaping technique. This can be done by setting up a physical barrier of some kind between water and grass. Wire mesh or polyurethane bird netting, even a white picket fence will work as long as the mesh or slat distance is no larger than 3 inches, and fences are at least 30 inches high. Walking geese will not be happy with this. If a more natural barrier is preferred, consider a very dense decorative hedge or long patch of wildflowers of no less than thirty inches high. The barrier should be 20-30 feet wide and placed along the shoreline, then reaching back along each side of the lawn. Any cattails or tall water grasses can remain on the opposite side of the barrier to help keep birds away from the lawn.Motion Activated Sprinklers: What about those geese that fly in and land on the lawn? Not to worry, the key is to make them as uncomfortable as possible so they won’t stay. Sudden, unexpected water bursts into the large open lawn area can be a surprisingly useful geese deterrent. Motion sensors detect when a bird is within 35 feet of the sensor, activating a water burst sprinkler system that shoots H20 up to 35 feet out and 45 feet across. Geese are unable to settle down and will take their friends and move along quickly.Lawns that fail the goose taste test: Geese that have already settled in will need more coaxing to leave. Spreading non-toxic goose repellent over the lawn (or even along the shoreline) is another useful deterrent. As the geese snack, they eat the grape extract which irritates the nerves in the bird’s nasal passages and other mucous membranes. It is vexing to the geese and they will soon realize there are no more good eats there. The concentrated spray is mixed with water and dispersed using a standard hand-held sprayer. Mow the law before treating it and re-treat about every four weeks to maintain.Once their sense of safety has been removed by the landscaping; the nesting areas have been eliminated; and their feeding area is contaminated, the pest geese will leave in search of a more inviting home. Goose control can be environmentally friendly and still work to keep birds away from private 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.
by Alex A. KecskesA 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.
by Alex A. Kecskes