Goose Control

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.

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you live on or near a lake, you no doubt will have a problem with geese. You can try firecrackers, dogs, and blasting them with a water hose, but they will return within a few days. Besides their annoying squawking and the smelly droppings they leave behind, geese have been known to carry bird flu. Known as avian flu, this disease is caused by a form of influenza virus that typically only infects birds. Yet, in some cases, the virus can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with birds. Experts are worried that the bird flu could mutate into a new form that can rapidly spread from person to person.

The only sure fire way to get rid of geese from your backyard is to use the kind of goose control measures the professionals use. These devices have been proven effective and humane.

Sonic Goose Deterrent

Designed to deter geese from large open spaces, backyards and gardens, these devices broadcast pre-recorded goose-distress calls that make geese far too nervous to hang around your property.The sounds are repeated every ten minutes to alert geese of imminent danger. The best sonic goose deterrents are weatherproof and designed to last outdoors. They come with a volume control and can even be programmed to turn on or off at night.Sonic goose deterrents typically come with an internal speaker that will cover big backyards—up to one acre. If you own a really large property, you can protect it from invading geese by adding more speakers to the unit. The additional speakers include 100 feet of wire and connect easily to the back of the unit.

Scarecrow Goose Deterrent

Imagine if you could stand guard 24/7 with a water hose, and the minute a goose wandered near your lawn or garden, you hit it with a sobering blast of water. Do you think geese would get the message that your property is off limits to them? Think of Scarecrows as your silent sentry, ever alert to the mere presence of geese. These motion-activated devices react instantly to any birds entering their zone of protection. They feature a realistic looking bird-like moving head that blasts water at invading birds who dare to enter a 1,200 square foot area that extends 35 feet out by 45 feet wide. Scarecrows connect easily to most garden hoses. You can even adjust a Scarecrow’s sensitivity and range to cover certain areas of your yard.

Scary Eye Balloons

Undoubtedly one of the most economical goose deterrents, Scary Eye Balloons work well when used in combination with the two deterrents mentioned above. These balloons feature a large, scary “mock” predator eyeball that makes geese feel far too uneasy to hang around. Easily hung on trees, patios, fences or any highly elevated area around your yard, these balloons bob and weave in the breeze to give them a lifelike quality.

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.
 

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.

by Terra Anders

Pack up a picnic basket, gather up the kids, apply the bug spray, and don’t forget the bread to feed the geese.  Sound familiar?  Children all over the world love feeding the geese.  What picnic at the park would be complete without this childhood tradition?  But what happens when the geese population increases so dramatically that they become a health hazard?  City officials all over the United States are often burdened with goose control issues like this.

In Wisconsin, Mayor Paul Soglin has been under scrutiny for allowing city officials to kill about 350 Canadian geese at four city parks.  The approval was given by Madison Parks Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture on June 25, 2011 after evidence of hazardous algae and bacteria had been found in some of the park lakes.  The problem had become so bad that a couple of the parks had to be shut down during the busy season.  Water supplies were compromised, and something had to be done to get a handle on the multiplying geese population. While several goose deterrent options for getting rid of the birds were presented, the choice to capture and kill a large quantity of the geese has certainly brought about a lot of controversy.

In a statement on June 28, 2011, Mayor Soglin confirmed that the about 200 Canada geese were indeed harvested and killed shortly after after the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a permit to kill the birds at four city parks. Citizen groups had been trying to prevent the killing in lieu of a more humane goose control method.

According to a recent WISC-TV report, although the killings did take place and the parks’ populations of geese were temporarily thinned, the geese have already begun to repopulate. Not only is killing a controversial goose control method, it is rarely successful in the long-run.  Much more humane, non-lethal methods are available, and when put in place with forethought and intention, these kinder methods can be much more effective.

Canadian geese like wide-open spaces. To help control bird populations, adding rocks, bushes, trees, hedges, or other types of barriers can modify the large open spaces of the park lawns. Plant these between the lawn and the water to discourage the geese.  They won’t like having to take the long way around to the water.

It may be futile to stop people from feeding geese in the park.  However, posting signs around the park, explaining the overpopulation problem and  how people can help by discouraging feeding the birds this practice would certainly be an inexpensive educational tool worth investing in.  Park staff might consider giving weekly informational classes to interested park-goers explaining the habits of the Canada geese and why they need to be controlled,

Spread non-toxic goose repellent on the area that is over-populated. This repellent is most often made with grape extract and methyl anthranilate, a combination that geese can not tolerate.  Geese hang around the park because there is always a sufficient food supply.  When this goose repellent is used, the geese will soon move on to other pastures looking for a more suitable food supply. 

Removing abandoned nests in the winter season can sometimes stop geese from coming back in the spring.

Geese prefer low, trimmed grass, so maintaining an area of tall grass or flowers around a lake area can create both a visual and physical barrier to the geese.

Geese populations respond quite well to sound goose deterrent systems that broadcast a recorded distress call in an area for up to 6 acres. The system is completely programmable and can send out one to two minute distress calls at determined intervals.   When geese hear this troubled cry, they become nervous and will leave the area in search of safer ground.  This type of goose deterrent is weather-resistant and very effective in large open outdoor spaces like parks.

Goose control is not a passive event.  It takes maintenance and persistence to convince birds to move out; and stay out.  Geese that have become comfortable in a particular area will return year after year.  Keeping an arsenal of bird control measures at the ready will be a park crew’s best plan. 

by Kathy Fritsch

Has your property been a vacation spot for Canada Geese?  This very adaptable waterfowl is tolerant of human activity and while flying with their lifetime mates and family, they are all looking for that perfect spot to land.  If there is a pond or any water source nearby, the Canada Goose will nest and establish its territory at the site.  It is quite common to see geese on golf courses, backyards, schools, and farms just to name a few spots.  With the development of malls, office buildings, tall homes and garages, geese have limited spots to nest and a safe spot for them could be up on top of your buildings.

What draws them to stop and nest?  They eat a wide variety of food items.  They are considered herbivores (eating vegetation) and are grazers.  They will graze and eat off your grass.  They will eat your berries, seeds and any cultivated foods such as millet, corn, oats, and soybeans.  Since they do travel in large family groups, you can imagine the damage they can do in a short amount of time.  The damage they can do is the reason to protect your property before it is too late.  Preparation is always easier than clean up.   When you are planting your grass, shrubs and crops, it is important to think about how they can be protected, especially from the geese.
 
One of the easiest ways to keep this boisterous pest away is to use a goose repellent.   The Migrate turf spray is a repellent that is a non toxic liquid made from grape extract.  Geese cannot stand the taste and smell.  Once you have sprayed on your lawn, not even rain or watering will wash it off.  Two applications will last for up to a month and will protect what you have worked hard to achieve.  You don’t have to worry about harm to your property or persons.  It is totally non-toxic to humans and animals.  It just makes your lawn an unpalatable food source for the geese.

Used in conjunction with the goose repellent spray, the Goose-B-Gone Super Sonic sound deterrent can be very beneficial.  This devise can cover up to three acres.  This sound deterrent acts as a scare devise by intermittently playing the distress and predator calls of the Canadian goose.  When they hear the distress calls they instinctively move on and away from the trouble.  The Goose-B-Gone Super Sonic unit is easy to install and program.  It will not wear in the weather either because it is sun and weather resistant.
 
Keeping away or getting rid of the nuisance geese with these simple to use goose repellents will also provide protection from the contamination their droppings can leave behind such as an excess of bacteria including E. Coli. and salmonella.  Reduce that perfect combination of forage, nesting and covering habitats most properties have by simply adding the spray and sound repellents.  When you see that beautiful V formation of the geese flying over and away from your property, you can enjoy the scene instead of worrying about your property.

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.

Many people assume that Canada geese fly south in the fall to reach warmer climate, then return to nest in early spring. This behavior has changed over the years due to many variables, and Wildlife Specialists are seeing more geese remain in one spot year round. Known as residential Geese, there are usually three common denominators that define their ideal location: a mild climate, food and water. Resident geese have been staking their claim on residential and commercial properties across the nation, leaving many property owners with one question, how to get rid of geese?

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 pesky Geese. Treating grass areas with a liquid goose repellent is a good start to getting rid of geese. If you take away the food source, the geese will move on.

Migrate turf Spray is a goose repellent used to prevent geese from grazing. The repellent is made of a non-toxic grape extract that has been used to repel geese and birds for ages. The extract, methyl anthranilate, is a food grade substance, approved by the FDA, also used in grape flavored candy and soda. When the repellent is applied to a lawn area, the grass will no longer be edible for geese; they will have to move on to a better location with a food source.

Beyond the Migrate Goose Repellent, there are also visual and audio products available to help deter pest geese. Visual goose deterrents include coyote decoys, balloons, and flash tape. These products work well when set up where the geese are entering a property.  If you have geese entering your lawn from a water area, the bank is ideal spot for placing such products. There are audio systems that can also be used to repel pest geese. The Goose Sonic is an outdoor sound goose deterrent that plays a mixture of predator and distress calls. When the geese hear these calls, their natural instinct is to flee from the area. The Goose Sonic is weatherproof, and can cover between 1-5 acres.

Many wildlife specialists recommend using an integrated approach to deterring geese. That is, using a goose repellent in addition to other products to try and appeal to different senses. Combining a few different methods will render the property undesirable to the Geese. If one method is used the geese may adapt, but taking away the crucial elements can bring you on step closer to a goose free property.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Over the last fifty years, geese have gone from almost extinct to plentiful. This is because adult geese have few predators other than hunters. Traditional predators (like foxes) are rarely present in most urban areas. Some geese migrate, while others establish nesting areas in yards, gardens, golf courses and parks. In general, geese prefer open, grassy spaces, with a clear view between water and food sources.

Geese breed in the spring, laying four to eight eggs at a time.  While the eggs incubate for about 30 days, the adults remain close to the nest.  A female goose can raise 50 geese in her lifetime. Resident geese also attract migratory geese as they “pass through,” increasing their number in an already troubled area.

Although they may entertain some children and certain bird lovers, geese are generally a nuisance when they invade a yard or garden. They love manicured lawns and will eat everything in site, including tender plant growth, aquatic weeds, grains and grasses. They will routinely destroy plants and vegetation and leave large quantities of droppings everywhere. A well-fed, healthy adult goose can produce up to 1.5 pounds of fecal matter per day. The continuous influx of nutrients in goose feces can contribute to the eutrophication of small water bodies, especially where circulation and flow-through are limited. This can promote algae and weed growth in small ponds and fountains.

Because geese often forage in large groups, they quickly damage residential lawns, and ornamental plants and gardens, especially in areas where these birds have sought shelter during the molting period. Geese will feed extensively on grass, clover, and crops, leaving large bare spots that will be vulnerable to erosion. They also trample the vegetation and compact the soil, leaving a hard surface that prevents any new plant growth.

Geese that stay on your property for more than a day or two between April and August are non-migrating ‘resident’ nuisance geese. March and April are the best times to deter geese from your property. Once they establish a nest, they're pretty much entrenched in that location.

So the question remains, how to get rid of geese, especially when they've decided to make your backyard their home? Since geese are protected by migratory bird laws, any lethal means to cull them (like guns or poisons) are forbidden.

One of the simplest goose control devices is the bird scare deterrent. These include flash tape, banners, and balloons. Iridescent reflective foil or shiny tape will wave in the breeze and reflect sunlight, creating an “Optical Distraction Zone” that geese find disturbing. Another effective scare device is the inflatable balloon. These are often covered with intimidating markings, like reflective predator eyes that make geese really uncomfortable. There's also a scare-eye diverter that works on the same principle. All of these devices are easily installed in areas frequented by geese. They work best when geese first move into an area or when combined with other techniques. And they should be installed at night when geese are roosting. One note: geese may quickly get used to these devices, so it's best to move them around.

Another goose control device often used to deter geese from yards and gardens is the Goose-B-Gone Super Sonic. These devices frighten geese away from "temptation" by broadcasting the sounds of distress calls. You simply need to place them in areas where geese tend to gather. The geese will soon scatter once they hear the sounds of geese in distress.

Next up is a goose control device with a brain. Perfectly designed for yards and gardens, the Scarecrow is a highly effective goose deterrent. This motion-activated sprinkler system shoots a blast of water whenever it senses a goose within a certain radius. The combined effect of water spray, the Scarecrow's life-like turning head and the sound of a abrupt water blast will scare even the most hard-headed goose away.

While poisons are verboten, non-lethal chemical spray goose repellents are available and some can be highly effective and economical to use. Usually in the form of a non-toxic liquid spray, these chemicals make grass areas undesirable to pest geese. After a few nibbles, the birds will move on to a more palatable food source. Made from a grape extract that irritate geese, the chemical is safe for pets, geese and humans. Chemical repellents are ideal for lawns, yards, landscaping, shrubs, or any grass areas where geese have become a problem.

The better liquid repellents are easily applied with a basic hand-held sprayer found in most hardware stores. For best results, mow the lawn area you wish to treat. After the first application, wait about a week, then repeat the process. Two applications will last for up to three months. The chemical won’t wash off with rain or water. Keep in mind that a chemical repellent's effectiveness varies with the weather, repellent concentration, and frequency of application. The best goose repellent is registered with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

By Alex A. Kecskes

Spring is coming.  And so are the Geese. They'll be squawking, and nesting and trampling all over your new garden.  They'll also be pooping in your pond, pool or spa, creating quite an unsanitary mess. You don't have the heart to kill or maim them, so you'll have to keep them from coming, from invading your space. You'll have to stop them before they settle in for spring. The time for bird deterrents is now.

Remember how they came back last year? Well, they'll do the same this year, maybe even bring a few friends, which means you'll have an even bigger problem this year. If you destroyed their nests, they'll just build new ones. They're strong willed and determined, especially if your yard offers what they like—shelter, food and protection from predators.

As you may recall, geese are big and heavy, and they can fly approaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.  They'll ram into your dog, cat or child and knock them down, especially to protect their nests and eggs. Or even if you suddenly startle them.

Unless you act now by installing an effective goose repellent, the geese will poop in your pool, uncovered spa, fountain or pond, and you'll be cleaning it on a weekly or even daily basis. Is this how you want to spend or your spring and summer months?

If you don't keep your pool, spa or pond clean, the goose droppings could infect you with any number of diseases, including swimmer’s itch, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis and giardia.  Heard enough?  Then get ready to implement some effective goose deterrents:

Bird Scare Devices. These are relatively inexpensive and easy to install all around your property. They consist of iridescent reflective foil or shiny tape banners that wave in the breeze, crackling and reflecting sunlight to create an “Optical Distraction Zone.” Another effective goose deterrent that falls into this category is the inflatable balloon. These have large "spooky" reflective predator eyes no goose wants to be around. There's also the Scare-Eye Diverter, which, like the balloon, looks very intimidating to geese and makes them feel like they're being sized up for a meal. These goose control deterrents work best when they're moved and switched every so often. Hey, birds aren't stupid, so respect them and beat them by outsmarting them.

Sonic Goose Repeller. Geese don't like to hear the sounds of other birds in distress. Or listen to predator birds moving in for the kill. That's what Sonic Bird Repellers do. They work their psychological magic and convince geese that danger is near and that other geese are in trouble. This will convince them to move on to someone else's yard. For best bird deterrent effect, install these devices where geese tend to gather.

Goose Repellent. Goose Repellents are made from a grape extract, methyl anthranilate, that geese can not stand, but is safe for pets and humans.  When the geese graze on grass treated with goose repellent, they will no longer find the food source palatable and move on to an area where they can graze.  The active ingredient in the goose repellent is a non toxic grape extract proven to be effective in repelling pest birds.  The extract irritates birds' trigeminal nerve and mochas membranes through entry in the eyes, nose and mouth.  Birds do not like the sensation caused by the extract and will take flight from the area being treated.

The most important thing to remember is to install or apply your goose deterrents now, before geese arrive.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Before we get into how to get rid of geese, a brief primer on the birds that many love and others look upon with disdain. First, true migrating geese spend their winters in the deep U.S. South and Mexico. These birds fly up North to Canada and breed in the spring. They may stop and rest, but rarely for more than a day.

The Curse of the Resident Goose

On the other hand, we have your basic resident goose. These birds love to eat you lawn and leave droppings all over your garden.

Hint: If the geese are nesting and laying eggs, they're the resident variety.

About a hundred years ago, hunters used captured geese as live decoys. The practice was outlawed in the 1930’s, so the hunters released these "decoy geese" into the wild. Problem was, the birds had lost the instinct to migrate. These domesticated birds were relocated across the U.S. for hunters, which resulted in millions of "resident" geese. Since then, property owners have sought ways to get rid of geese.

Resident geese have created all sorts of problems. Not the least of which are fatal airplane crashes when the birds collide with aircraft. Non-migratory geese have also caused the closure of public beaches in several States due to excessive fecal coliform levels. In addition, many property owners have had their crops and lawns eaten away, and their ponds and yards filled with disease-carrying droppings.
Vast Proliferations of Resident Geese

In less than a decade, the U.S. government expects geese to proliferate in four areas of the nation, reaching 1.6 million in the Atlantic area, 2 million in the Mississippi area, 1.3 million in the Central area, and half a million in the Pacific region. Worse yet, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that while these geese are basically fixed in their locations, they're still legally considered migratory and protected by international treaty.

While it's perfectly legal to chase geese away, one can only do so when they’re not nest building or tending their eggs or young. Nesting begins in April and May. If you miss this opportunity to get rid of geese, there are ways you can deter and repel them away from your property. These methods have proven effective and are entirely humane.

Getting Rid of Geese Humanely

First off, we may as well address some of the more historic ways to get rid of geese. While considered humane, these have proven only marginally effective. They include your basic noisemakers--propane cannons, fireworks, and bullhorns, as well as the fake floating crocodile head that moves around realistically. And lest we no forget the fake eagle that ‘flies’ around a pole. Aside from these, there are some highly effective deterrents that have met with considerable success. A brief rundown of these measures is mentioned below.
 
Banners, Balloons, and Flash Tape--These bird scare devices create an “Optical Distraction Zone” that many geese find very annoying, causing them to leave. Flash tape comes in iridescent Reflective Foil and shiny reflective varieties, which reflect sunlight and crackle in the breeze.

Scare-Eye Diverters--To get rid of geese, you can hang these teardrop shaped diverters almost anywhere to make geese really uncomfortable. The diverters are covered with a large predator eye that makes geese feel like they're being watched by a large predator.

Bird Scare Balloons--These beach-ball size balloons are made of a U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl and feature a lifelike reflective predator eye to make geese feel threatened.
They are an ideal way to get rid of geese in open areas where a steady breeze keeps them moving. To deter geese from pools, you can quarter fill the balloon with water, and let it float on the surface with its predator eye showing.

Keep in mind that these goose scare devices work best when geese first move into an area or when you combine them with other deterrents. Remember to swap them out occasionally as geese will get used to these devices and ignore them. Finally, these and other frightening devices are most effective when they are used at night when geese are roosting.

Scarecrows--These clever devices catch geese by surprise and convince them never to come back. Scarecrows are motion-activated sprinklers that hit geese with a "persuasive" blast of water when geese wander within its radius of protection. The sudden blast of water, startling sprinkler sound and realistic looking bird-like moving head make a believer out of even the most stubborn goose. The scarecrow connects to any garden hose, yet uses only 2 to 3 cups of water per spray. It covers approximately 1,200 square feet with a blast that reaches out 35 feet by 45 feet wide. Best of all, the scarecrow never resets, working tirelessly day and night for up to 6 months--it delivers over 1,000 "firings" on a single 9-volt battery. You an even fine-tune the Scarecrow to adjust its sensitivity and spray distance.

Sound Deterrents--These sonic devices get rid of geese by playing on their natural fear predators. They emit distress and predator calls that convince geese that danger is near. These devices work best when they are placed where geese seem to gather most--in gardens, backyards, patios, and other open grassy spaces.

Chemical Repellents--Economical and surprisingly effective, chemical goose repellents get rid of geese from parks, shorelines, golf courses, cemeteries, lawns, yards, or other grassy areas. The non-toxic liquid makes grass very unappetizing to geese and they simply move on to "greener" pastures. Formulated from a grape extract, the chemical is safe for pets, geese and humans. Most chemical repellents are easily applied using simple hand-held sprayers. Two applications last for up to three months and there's no worry about the chemical washing off with rain or water. The best goose repellent is registered with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Goose Netting--To get rid of geese, you can scare them or you can simply deny them access. Netting does the latter very well. It excludes geese from areas of your pond, park, garden and other specific areas. When ordering netting as a barrier to geese, you'll need a 2-inch mesh size. Try to get a name-brand product that is waterproof, rot- and flame-resistant, and U.V. stabilized. Non-conductive netting is preferred for most applications. Some manufacturers even offer netting in different colors to better match its surroundings.