How to Get Rid of Canada Geese
These majestic birds are beautiful to watch, especially in the fall when they migrate north to the Canadian Arctic. You will know the Canada Geese by the v shaped flock they and their buddies form as they pass over head. But all geese will not fly north this year because the migratory birds are finding year-round refuge in the United States. Unfortunately with so many geese not migrating to Canada, geese have become more of a nuisance to property owners. Since it is against the law to harm these protected birds figuring out how to get rid of Canada Geese has become a growing issue.
The United States has become a breeding ground for the Canadian goose with lots of ponds, waterways and golf courses. The birds will even take up residence near swimming pools. There is nothing better for the geese than a well-trimmed lawn and a nice pond to swim in. Canadian Geese can live up to 24 years, returning annually to the same nesting area. Local area geese will travel short distances and will stay throughout the year.
The Canada Geese Habitat
Canada Geese prefer a sloping bank into the pond so that they and their little ones can easily walk to the water. They also like wide open areas especially with grass around the waterway. The birds digest up to four pounds a day of bits of grass and lawn, plants from the pond, and seedlings. Canadian Geese will build their nests close to the water source and will protect their eggs from anyone that comes near. Geese are territorial and will fight for their habitat. In fact, Canada Geese attract their own breed, and what were once two geese turns into a gaggle (a group) of geese. Since the geese can lay up to twelve eggs at a time, the population can increase up to 17% in one year.
The Nuisances of Geese
The biggest nuisance of the Canada Geese is the health hazards and disease that comes from their feces. An adult goose can drop two pounds of feces a day. This is dangerous because people can slip on the droppings and hurt themselves, it can destroy a beautiful lawn and if too much feces is deposited in a pond it throws the eco-system off and can kill fish. Children can come into contact with the feces while playing on the beach; this can introduce them to thick bacteria and even salmonella. In addition to this, the feces itself carries bacteria spores that are released as it dries and if inhaled can cause illness and disease. Another serious problem is that the nest particles, feathers and other debris can end up in your ventilation system, block the gutters and plug drain pipes causing property damage.
Protecting Your Property
There are several things that can be done to get rid of the geese. A dog will sometimes work well but because of the protection on these migratory birds, the dog will need to be trained to not harm or kill the bird. Another tactic would be to steepen the edge of your pond so that the geese will have a difficult time getting into the water. You can also turn off your aerator during the winter months and let your pond freeze over. There are some repellents that you can place on the lawn, silhouettes of dogs and even dogs themselves that may be employed for removal. Many times people will take the eggs from a nest and shake or ‘addle’ them and then replace them. It’s a form of population control but won’t get rid of the adults. Moreover these birds can be extremely aggressive, especially if you try approaching their nest. The truth is that many of the above methods don’t often work well and if they do the geese usually return.
If you want to try to remove the Canada Gooses yourself, read my
Do It Yourself guide.
If you want to hire a professional to help you, go to my
Hire a Pro page.
If you do hire a company, you can read my
How Much Does Canada Goose Removal Cost? page.
Safe Removal From Wildlife Experts
Canada Geese are protected by the North American Migratory Bird Treaty, which means that the birds cannot be harmed or killed. The best choice in determining how to get rid of the Canada Geese is to call the professionals who have the experience and knowledge in handling wildlife removal. Professional trappers with the right equipment can remove not only the geese but can clean up the mess that the birds have created or provide you with a resource that can. More importantly, when you work with a professional you’ll have a much great chance of not having the geese return once you’ve got rid of them.
How to Get Rid of Canada Geese in your Yard
Canada geese provide an interesting challenge for private property owners. Canada geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Act, which states that they cannot be killed due to nuisance concerns. If you have Canada geese in your yard, your options are limited. You are allowed to harass the birds. Keep in mind that geese are aggressive when threatened. The best harassment technique involves a large dog. Dogs naturally enjoy chasing critters, but herding dogs are more instinctively geared for the task. A dog can do wonders for goose control and will enjoy the task tremendously. Noise makers have limited effect. Geese often get used to sounds after a while and will ignore them. Trapping and relocating geese is difficult. Though they can be trapped, geese have an excellent homing ability and will return to the same locations time and time again. No matter what, your best option is always to convince the geese to leave on their own.
How to Get Rid of Canada Geese on Your Property
Canada geese will look for safe bodies of water to sojourn in on their travels and this is why private ponds and properties fall victim to the birds. Geese on your property will be incredibly messy, indiscriminately eliminating waste wherever they travel. This waste can cause serious issues in smaller bodies of water and can cause health concerns for people in the immediate area. The methods of controlling geese hinge mainly on manipulating the animals themselves. If you can eliminate the food the geese are searching for, they might leave your property sooner rather than later. This may not be feasible for a pond or creek that supports a large aquatic habitat. The best tactics for property owners are harassment techniques. You may not be a dog person, but a herding breed dog will do wonders to control your goose issue. Herding breeds love to chase and direct groups of other animals. If you’re not a canine lover, you can still enlist the aid of a friend who owns a pooch. Eventually, with enough harassing, the geese take the hint and relocate themselves.
How to Get Rid of Canada Geese in the Pond
Private ponds take a beating when it comes to Canada geese. These ponds are prime locations for a flock to settle because of an abundance of natural food and a low incidence of predators. Some homeowners mistakenly feed Canada geese when the birds first arrive, not realizing what a significant problem the animals will cause during the upcoming weeks. If you have geese in your pond the best manner and only manner of dealing with them is to harass them so much that they move on. Harassing geese does not mean abusing them; throwing rocks or injuring geese will not convince the entire flock to leave. The introduction of a harassing predator, such as a dog, is the most effective means of goose relocation. A large dog, preferably one with herding instinct, will chase the geese enough that they will eventually decide the pond is not worth the annoyance of the canine. Even if the birds return, the dog can be let loose again. Beyond this type of harassment technique, there is very little that can be done. Noise makers have a limited effect as do many of the other deterrents on the market.
How to Get Rid of Geese in the Park
If you’re a park-goer and you’re worried about the aggressive geese in the park pond, there is very little you can do about it. Geese are protected by certain laws, and mistreatment of them can result in fines or jail time. Geese in a park setting need to be handled by the state department of environmental control. Often birds on public land can be netted during their flightless season and then relocated. This type of operation requires special, expensive cannon nets and equipment and must be done by professionals who can handle the geese without causing undue harm. If your only wish is to walk through the park un-harassed by the birds, consider taking a large dog with you on the walk. Dogs are great companions and are fantastic goose deterrents. Beyond the companionship of a dog, geese are not always afraid of people and a lone jogger can be the target of a protective bird. Until the state can take care of the issue, stay clear of the Canada geese and you should be fine.
Do You Need Help? I wrote this website to provide information on How to Get Rid of Canada Geese in the case that you have
a Canada Goose problem and need to make an informed decision about what to do. If you
have any questions you may email me, but I do know from experience
that Canada Goose removal is not simple. If you need professional help solving your
wildlife conflict, I recommend that you talk to a professional Canada Goose
control expert in your town by clicking on my
National Wildlife Control
directory, which lists experts who I recommend in every USA city and town who can
help you with your Canada Goose issue.
