Often found on large inland bodies of water--like lakes, reservoirs, large ponds, and on seashores and rivers--Canada geese are grazers and feed in shallow water, pastures and arable land. Without goose repellents, these birds are most likely to return to the area they were born, which is why many different breeds have evolved in North America. Canada geese are gregarious and fly together in a V-shaped or diagonal line formations. The adults molt their flight feathers and become flightless for about 3 to 4 weeks in the summer. Canada geese have proliferated and they continue to increase in number, especially in urban areas. One reason for this is that traditional predators (like foxes and coyotes) are rarely present in most urban areas.
In the absence of effective goose repellents, large flocks of geese will gather and nest, leaving huge amounts of poop, especially if the geese routinely inhabit the same sites. Their droppings will reduce the water quality of ponds and create unsightly and unsanitary conditions on parks, golf courses, apartment complexes, and business parks. Geese can also damage lawns and shrubbery, as well as gardens and farm crops. Flying near or around airports, geese can create a safety hazard by colliding and being ingested by jet engines or struck by propellers. Consider the alarming accident that befell a US Airways Airbus after a flock of geese disabled both engines, forcing it to land in the Hudson River.
Canada geese are migratory and protected, so only non-lethal goose repellents may be employed to deter them. Some of the most common humane goose control techniques fall into the category of frightening devices. These include banners, balloons, scarecrows, and distress/predator calls. These devices work best when geese first move into an area or when combined with other techniques. Unfortunately, geese may quickly get used to these devices and ignore them after a few days. Frightening devices are most effective if used at night when geese are roosting.
One of the simplest frightening devices is iridescent reflective foil or shiny tape. Waving in the wind, these devices create an “Optical Distraction Zone” that geese find disturbing. Another effective scare device is the inflatable balloon, usually covered with lifelike reflective predator eyes. These scare-eye diverters are simple and easily installed in areas frequented by geese.
A higher-tech goose repellent that has met with considerable success is the Sonic Pest Bird Repeller. They scare geese off with sounds of distress and predator calls. Place them strategically in gardens, backyards, patios, and other open spaces and watch geese scatter to "safer" ground.
Another sophisticated and highly effective goose repellent is the Scarecrow. It's basically a motion-activated sprinkler system that shoots a blast of water whenever it senses a bird's motion. The overall effect of water spray, the Scarecrow's turning head and the sound of a water blast sound combine to scare geese away. Scarecrows are perfect for keeping geese out of gardens, ponds and other open areas.
Chemical spray goose repellents are available and are highly effective and affordable. They are ideal for parks, shorelines, golf courses, cemeteries, lawns, yards, landscaping, shrubs, or any grass areas where geese have become a problem. The non-toxic liquid makes grass areas undesirable to pest geese and they will simply go elsewhere in search of a food source. Made from a grape extract that irritate geese, the chemical is safe for pets, ducks, geese and humans.
The best liquid goose repellent can be applied with any simple hand-held sprayer found in hardware stores. It's easy to apply. First mow the lawn area you wish to treat. After the first application, wait about a week, and repeat the process. Two applications will last for up to three months. The chemical won’t wash off with rain or water. Keep in mind that a chemical repellent's effectiveness varies with the weather, repellent concentration, and frequency of application. The best goose repellent is registered with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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