USA Bird Control Measures for Canada Geese

Image via Wikipediaby Alex A. Kecskes

Populations of Canada Geese have been on the increase over the last decade due to their protected status by both Federal and State agencies. USA bird control experts estimate there are approximately a dozen subspecies of Canada geese, ranging in size from 22 to 48 inches long and weighing from 3 pounds to 24 pounds. Regrettably, Canada geese like to graze and nest on corporate lawns and around fountains, as well as in parks and on golf course greens. These migratory birds have, of late, adopted the easy living conditions of urban environments, preferring to nest in protective vegetation.

Canada geese are highly aggressive and will run after animals and people--sometimes frightening children at parks. Trampling, defecating and eating, these geese cause considerable damage to agricultural crops, golf course lawns, reservoirs, ponds, and green belts. Geese roosting in open areas near airports have been known to create potentially dangerous bird strike collisions.

As most USA bird control pros will tell you, non-migratory Canada geese are stubborn and difficult to move. Some of the more effective goose repellent strategies begin with the removal of cover shrubbery and pond vegetation. Other more direct goose deterrents include the following:

Chemical Goose Taste Repellents. Recommended for parks, shorelines, golf courses, cemeteries, lawns, yards, landscaping, shrubs, or any grassy area where geese have become a problem, these non-toxic liquids make grass very unappetizing to pest geese.
The chemical most often used in these taste repellents is a grape extract that's safe for pets, ducks, geese and humans. The repellents can be applied with any hand-held sprayer onto any freshly mowed lawn. Two applications generally last approximately three months. The best chemical repellents usually won’t wash off with rain or water. Look for chemical goose repellents that are registered with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Audio/Visual Bird Scare Devices. Used in combination as soon as geese invade an area, USA bird control experts note that bird scare devices can persuade pest geese to leave. The secret is to frequently alter the location and type of the audio/visual device to convince geese that they are being threatened by a real predator. Visual deterrents include banners, balloons and flash tape. Banners and flash tape will rattle in the breeze and reflect flashes of sunlight to create an “Optical Distraction Zone” that makes geese uncomfortable. Balloons are often covered with large predator eyes that will make geese feel like they might be attacked by a huge predator. These devices should be installed in advance of a geese flock invasion. They also should be combined with other goose deterrents, and they should be changed often to prevent geese from getting used to them. Finally, the devices are most effective if used at night when geese are roosting.
 Physical Barriers. Exclusionary methods can be used to deny geese access to specific areas. Overhead wire grids, for example, can be installed above ponds and small pools to prevent geese landing. Heavy-duty bird-wire fencing, installed 1 to 3 feet from the ground can block geese from entering certain areas. Wide, 4-inch mesh Bird Netting festooned with reflective Mylar flash tape can also be used to discourage geese from gathering above and around ponds or grassy areas.