Goose Repellent helps keep Pesky Geese at Bay

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.

How to Get Rid of Geese from Destroying Yards

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.