Got Geese? Humane, Affordable & Effective Methods of Goose Control
The geese are coming. You will see them flying in the majestic V-formation overhead with their black heads and necks and light cream-colored breasts. Their chinstrap is black and white. There are over 10 subspecies of Canada geese. Generally, the geese get darker in color as you go westward and smaller in size moving northward. There has been a documented upsurge of geese in suburban and urban areas. The geese tend to migrate toward areas where there are water sources, which is why you see geese in parks and golf courses. If you have a pool in your backyard, you might see geese there as well. Apartment complexes that are next to golf courses often experience nuisance geese in their pools, ponds, and even walking around the complex.
Close to spring, the flocks start separating, and they begin to find places to nest. They are very territorial and can become quite aggressive, chasing you away from an area if they feel threatened. This can be quite concerning when children want to play outside. Golf courses, parks, or any place populated by the public could be at risk of aggressive geese. If you see them start hissing, honking, and pumping their heads, move away from them. The geese will also fight each other for territory.
Not only are geese a nuisance with their honking and aggressive behavior, but their droppings create a hazard. Their feces can be hazardous to one’s health. A single goose poops every twenty minutes, which adds up to 1.5 pounds of feces every day. You can imagine the extent of feces accumulated by a flock of geese. The feces of geese contain a wide range of pathogens capable of infecting humans. The droppings also contain a microscopic parasite called Cryptosporidium. This parasite is one of the most common known diseases that infects both drinking water and recreational water.
Safe and Economical Goose Control Methods
Deterring nuisance geese does not need to be expensive, difficult, or time-consuming. Geese chomp and graze on grass and shrubs. There is a goose repellent that is non-toxic and can be sprayed onto grass and shrubs using a convenient handheld sprayer. Migrate Goose Repellent is often used at parks, golf courses, cemeteries, shorelines, and backyards. It is best to apply this goose repellent when the grass has been freshly mowed and the area is dry. A second application should be done one week later. Rain, mist, and sprinklers will not wash off the repellent, and there are no runoff contaminants to the environment to worry about. The liquid repellent works by irritating the trigeminal nerve and mucous membranes of the pest bird. The active substance is a non-toxic grape extract registered with the EPA called methyl anthranilate, which has proven to deter geese and other pest birds. One gallon of the repellent will cover approximately 16,000 square feet. The ratio of repellent to water is 20 parts water to one part concentrate. The goose repellent is available in one-gallon bottles or a case containing four one-gallon bottles, making it one of the most cost-effective bird control products on the market.
Another goose repellent that will work for a large area is a sound repellent. Sonic sound devices broadcast pre-recorded goose distress calls, causing geese to avoid the area altogether and move to safer locations. A single device can cover up to an acre of land, and additional speakers can be added to maximize coverage.
There are visual deterrents that will also alter the birds' behavior and send them flying on by. Visual disturbances confuse waterfowl and frighten them away. There are many different visual deterrents that can be hung around the home or near a water source.
If you have questions about using any Bird B Gone goose repellent, please call us at 800-392-6915 or email us at nobirds@birdbgone.com.