The Canada goose is a very adaptable creature that can make its home near any lake or pond; once they’ve settled in, Canada geese will happily graze on the tender, short grasses of residential lawns. When spring arrives, these waterfowl should head North — unless well-meaning bird lovers are feeding them, in which case the geese may see no reason to give up the steady food source. In addition, migration is learned behavior, not instinctive; the geese that were brought into Georgia several years ago never learned to migrate. The result is “resident” Canada geese that remain around a lake or group of lakes year-round.
Depending on size and water quality, a normal, healthy lake can sustain a waterfowl population of a certain size (in general, three to four birds per acre). When the population exceeds a lake’s carrying capacity, however, serious problems may ensue. Non-native “resident” geese not only compete with native waterfowl for resources, they pose a serious threat to the health of the ecosystem by polluting their new home lake and its surrounding areas with their feces. Goose waste contains high levels of organic nitrogen, which, when deposited in large quantities in a lake, may result in nusiance algae blooms and large amounts of unsightly algae. Deposition of goose feces can also contribute to elevated an fecal coliform level in a lake, a potential health hazard as well as a possible contributing factor to fish kills, and their foot traffic can cause erosion problems around the edge of the lake.
As the size of the Southeast’s resident population of Canada geese has grown, the species that was once admired as majestic wildlife is now increasingly viewed as a pest. Once the geese have become resident, it can be very difficult to make them feel unwelcome. In addition, Canada geese, like many other waterfowl species, are protected by various state and federal laws that limit homeowners’ options to non-lethal and humane methods for control and deterrence. The deterrence methods discussed below are all legal in Georgia.
Limit Access
The ideal goose habitat is an area where water meets an abundant supply of low, tasty grass, making mowed-to-the-water’s-edge community lakes favored spots. Simple two-line or low wooden fencing placed along the water creates an impediment to easy movement from water to grazing areas. With their access limited, the geese should eventually leave to seek a friendlier home. If done correctly, this seems to be the most effective method.
Landscaping
Large borders of ground cover can deter geese, who generally prefer not to walk through it. Leaving your grass cut higher than normal may also discourage them. Also, cool-season grasses, such as rye, are the preferred meal of the Canada goose, so it may help to avoid planting these grasses and try fescues instead.
Scare Devices
Some of the most common scare devices, such as plastic owls, have for the most part proven to be ineffective with geese, but there are other options. Simple flags, made from 3 x 2 foot sheets of black plastic attached to 4-foot wooden stakes, can be effective. Large balloons (15+ inches in diameter) fastened to wooden stakes with fishing line will also scare geese; drawing large eyespots on the balloons increases the scare factor. If you try scare devices, be sure to change their locations periodically, lest the geese catch on that those animated but stationary objects pose no threat.
Noisemakers
Effective use of noisemakers can really make the point to Canada geese that it’s time to move on. Timed sirens or simply banging pots and pans may work, if used persistently and consistently. Be sure to warn your neighbors before attempting the noisemaker method!
Chemical Repellents
Chemical repellents to deter geese are commercially available; the drawback to these products is that they must be re-applied after rains or mowing. If you feel that you’ve run out of options for waterfowl control, consult a professional lake manager for more information on the costs and availability of legal chemical repellents.
Although all of the techniques described here have some degree of proven success in deterring Canada geese residence, the best results come from a combination of techniques – for example, using flagging along with timed noisemakers. If your efforts seem fruitless and the geese continue to destroy your property, try changing things up — alternate the location or timing of your methods, stay on your toes, and most importantly, don’t let the geese get the upper hand (or wing)!
