Canada geese. Photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceAs the size of our region’s population of Canada geese has grown, a species that was once admired as majestic wildlife is now often viewed as a pest. Depending on size and water quality, a normal, healthy lake can sustain a waterfowl population of up to three to four birds per acre, but when the population exceeds a lake’s carrying capacity, serious problems may ensue. Goose waste contains high levels of organic nitrogen, which can result in elevated fecal coliform levels and nuisance algae blooms when deposited in large quantities in or near an impoundment. Goose foot traffic can also cause erosion problems around the water’s edge.
Canada geese are protected by various state and federal laws that limit homeowners’ options for control and deterrence. The deterrence methods discussed below are all legal in Georgia:
- Limit Access: The ideal goose habitat is an area where the 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
- Landscaping: Large borders of ground cover can deter geese, who generally prefer not to walk through it, so planting the buffer zone with a variety of native vegetation can be helpful in deterrence. Leaving grass cut higher than normal may also discourage geese.
- Scare Devices: Plastic owls, foxes and coyotes are available for purchase as scare devices but there are other do-it-yourself options that may be just as effective: simple flags, made from 3’ x 2’ sheets of black plastic attached to 4’ wooden stakes; or large balloons (15” + in diameter) fastened to wooden stakes with fishing line (drawing large eyes on the balloons seems to make this more effective). If you try any scare devices, be sure to change their locations periodically, lest the geese catch on that those animated but stationary objects pose no threat.
- “Herding”: A number of services use specially trained dogs to encourage geese to move along to a new location. The dogs don’t touch the geese; instead, they herd and harass them until the birds voluntarily relocate.
- 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 the 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, so can become a significant expense over time.
- Hunting: According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Canada geese may be hunted during specified season dates “in a safe area . . . [by hunters who possess] the proper licenses.” More information is available at http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/1732.
The best results typically come from using a combination of harrassment techniques – for example, using flagging along with timed noisemakers. If your efforts seem fruitless and the geese continue to damage 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)! For more information about any of these methods, contact us.
