by Alex A. Kecskes
If you had geese trampling all over your garden and favorite plants last year, this is the time to implement an effective bird deterrent strategy. Besides ruining your favorite plants by physically trundling all over them, geese will leave smelly, disease-carrying droppings everywhere. If you have a pond or other water feature, they will contaminate it with their droppings and turn it into an odorous mess.
So how do you get rid of geese in your garden? You can use a water hose to discourage them, but unless you want to stand there 24/7, they’ll be back as soon as you go in the house. Some people have tried BB guns and poisons, but these methods are far too dangerous—especially if you have pets or children running around.
Fortunately, there are a number of humane and effective goose deterrents that will keep geese out of your garden.
Here are what the pros use:
Scarecrows
No, we’re not talking about the straw-stuffed mannequins you find in cornfields. These are high-tech, motion-activated sprinklers that douse geese with a sobering but harmless blast of water. The very second a wandering or stubborn goose invades a scarecrow’s radius of protection, they get hit with a blast of water emerging from a realistic looking bird head. It doesn’t take long for geese to realize that your garden is a no-geese zone. Scarecrows are easily connected to your garden hose, and you can adjust their sensitivity and blast radius. They typically cover an an area of about 1,200 square feet (35-foot by 45-foot wide). And you can get up to 1,000 "firings" on a single 9-volt battery.
Scare Eye Diverters and Predator Eye Balloons
Working on the principle of visual intimidation, Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons sport big mock predator eyes that convince geese they are being watched and about to be attacked by a large predator. These visual goose deterrents bob and weave in the breeze to give the impression of live movement. Diverters and balloons are easily affixed to patio covers, gazebos, tree branches, or any elevated area in your garden. The balloons can be filled partially with water to skim the surface of your pool, spa or water feature to keep geese away. All you have to remember with these deterrents is to move them around from time to time.
Sonic Goose Deterrents
Striking fear into the hearts of geese, Sonic Goose Deterrents broadcast a series of pre-recorded distress and predator calls over a wide area of your garden—up to one acre). The best sonic deterrents are desgined to withstand harsh outdoor weather. Look for units that can be programmed to shut off automatically at night.
Needless to say, when it comes to protecting your garden from invading geese, the best time to install these goose deterrents is before the geese arrive.
