Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese ( Answered 4 out of 5 stars,   6 Comments )
Question  
Subject: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese
Category: Miscellaneous
Asked by: truman218-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 22 Jul 2005 08:35 PDT
Expires: 21 Aug 2005 08:35 PDT
Question ID: 546616
I would like a list of the best resources on the web for dealing with
the problem of unwanted Canada Geese on ones property.  I am very
interesting in strategies and techniques for getting rid of the birds,
short of shooting them.  I don't want information on their biology,
physiology, or behavior, unless it has to do with how to get them to
go someplace else.

Some background on how the problem of unwanted Canada Geese has grown
over the years would be great-- either in North America, or throughout
the world.  I'd like to know the best way to clean up the mess they
leave behind, and vendors of products intended to aid in getting rid
of the geese would be great as well.

Request for Question Clarification by journalist-ga on 22 Jul 2005 08:57 PDT
Greetings Truman218,

Here are a few suggestions I located on the Internet.  Are these the
types of suggestions you seek?

One form's resources from
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ponds/msg0714573031870.html

"Many golf courses have had success with dogs, especially herding
breeds that continually attempt to "round up" the geese. They get
tired of this and leave. Perhaps you know someone with a border collie
or similar dog that you could borrow for a while. The dogs usually
love this and hopefully the geese will not."

"A medium size dog like a labrador retriever or some other bird dog
should keep them away and have fun doing it. Smaller dogs will be
attacked by the geese and driven away."

"What some do is pierce the egg and scramble it [goose egg] then put
them back on the nest. This way, the birds continue to try to hatch
them. If you take them away and destroy them, the geese may lay more.
I'm no expert, this is just what I've heard."

"Up here in New Jersey the new thing is to get plastic dogs.  Yup
plastic, they move them around ponds and lake shores perodically and I
have noticed where I have seen the poly dogs that the geese have
pretty much retreated. You still see a few but nothing like the hordes
of before. And the plastic dogs dont require feeding or vet bills, try
it."

"One of the factories in a town nearby had a big problem with canadian
geese in their water pond. They got some type of rubber geese from
some where, and laid them on their sides (where they would appear to
be dead) It did get rid of the geese eventually, but it sure looked
funny with all those seemingly dead ducks laying all around on the
lawn. I guess that they instinctively avoid water where they see dead
fowl, thinking the water is unsafe?"

"My swans keep them away here and what they chase the russell
chases.They come have young,next year they come back have young,Before
you know it youre over run.One thing might help is get some fire
crackers loud ones.We live near a gaited community I dont know what
they use but its loud and they leave fast.Something short of a cannon
ha"


And there's a great article about them at
http://www.websterlakeassociation.com/Environmental%20Issues/What%20you%20can%20do%20to%20help/Canadian%20Geese.htm
 In part, it reads, "Corporations, colleges, golf courses, airports,
municipalities, water reservoirs, cemeteries and others spend millions
of dollars a year using dogs, noise, chemicals and other means to keep
geese off places people don't want them to be. New York City, for
instance, has budgeted $4.5 million over the next three years to keep
geese and other birds from degrading drinking water in its
reservoirs."


Please let me know if these types of resources are acceptable to as an
answer and I will gladly locate more of them.

Best regards,
journalist-ga

Clarification of Question by truman218-ga on 22 Jul 2005 09:56 PDT
Yes, I think you're on the right track.  Please proceed.  Thanks.

Request for Question Clarification by journalist-ga on 22 Jul 2005 10:33 PDT
Thanks for the go-ahead, Truman218.  I'll round up more suggestions
and post my answer for you.

Best regards,
journalist-ga
Answer  
Subject: Re: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese
Answered By: journalist-ga on 22 Jul 2005 13:40 PDT
Rated:4 out of 5 stars
 
Greetings again, Truman218,

Thank you for the go-ahead on my research for you.  I'll begin with
the info I provided in the Clarification section - an asterisk break
appears after it where the more recent info follows.


One forum's resources from
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ponds/msg0714573031870.html

"Many golf courses have had success with dogs, especially herding
breeds that continually attempt to "round up" the geese. They get
tired of this and leave. Perhaps you know someone with a border collie
or similar dog that you could borrow for a while. The dogs usually
love this and hopefully the geese will not."

"A medium size dog like a labrador retriever or some other bird dog
should keep them away and have fun doing it. Smaller dogs will be
attacked by the geese and driven away."

"What some do is pierce the egg and scramble it [goose egg] then put
them back on the nest. This way, the birds continue to try to hatch
them. If you take them away and destroy them, the geese may lay more.
I'm no expert, this is just what I've heard."

"Up here in New Jersey the new thing is to get plastic dogs.  Yup
plastic, they move them around ponds and lake shores perodically and I
have noticed where I have seen the poly dogs that the geese have
pretty much retreated. You still see a few but nothing like the hordes
of before. And the plastic dogs dont require feeding or vet bills, try
it."

"One of the factories in a town nearby had a big problem with canadian
geese in their water pond. They got some type of rubber geese from
some where, and laid them on their sides (where they would appear to
be dead) It did get rid of the geese eventually, but it sure looked
funny with all those seemingly dead ducks laying all around on the
lawn. I guess that they instinctively avoid water where they see dead
fowl, thinking the water is unsafe?"

"My swans keep them away here and what they chase the russell
chases.They come have young,next year they come back have young,Before
you know it youre over run.One thing might help is get some fire
crackers loud ones.We live near a gaited community I dont know what
they use but its loud and they leave fast.Something short of a cannon
ha"


And there's a great article about them at
http://www.websterlakeassociation.com/Environmental%20Issues/What%20you%20can%20do%20to%20help/Canadian%20Geese.htm
 In part, it reads, "Corporations, colleges, golf courses, airports,
municipalities, water reservoirs, cemeteries and others spend millions
of dollars a year using dogs, noise, chemicals and other means to keep
geese off places people don't want them to be. New York City, for
instance, has budgeted $4.5 million over the next three years to keep
geese and other birds from degrading drinking water in its
reservoirs."


*********************************************************************


Canadian Geese - tips on repelling them

"A physical barrier of dense, low-growing (at least three-feet high)
shrubs will limit Canadian Geese. The birds are intimidated by the
height and breadth of the plants and their potential for offering
cover to predators. The most natural deterrent is long grass grown
around ponds; geese won't venture forth in it for fear of lurking
predators. A border of periwinkle, Japanese pachysandra, and English
ivy at the edge of the lawn may also be effective, because geese tend
to avoid these particular groundcovers. Frigtening devices can be
effective. Flags, mylar tape, ballons, scarecrows, and noise devices
can scare geese. Vary the device used and be persistant. Border
collies have an affinity for chasing and limiting geese to the water.
A repellent call ReJexit is effective on Canadian Geese. Shaking the
eggs can keep them from hatching and will limit the population growth.
Canadian geese are protected by federal law and a permit is required
for shaking the eggs or destroying the nest."
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/cabarrus/staff/dgoforth/wildlife/gee.html


REJEXIT
"By making grass in grazing areas unpalatable to geese, REJEXIT
resolves your geese problem without harming humans or geese. After as
little as one application, research shows geese leave the treated
areas for better, tastier food sources. The product has been tested in
cooperation with USDA's Animal Damage Control and Denver Wildlife
Research center. The product meets the EPA's standards for reduced
risk and is ecologically friendly, non-phytotoxic and biodegradable.
Available in quart, 1 and 2 1/2 gallon containers."
http://www.aquadocinc.com/chemical.html
Phone 1-800-689-5253 ? (440) 256-7663
mailto:aquadocinc@aol.com 


When Geese become a problem
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DEC have approved the
use of one product, ReJeXiT®, as a goose repellent on lawns. Geese
will avoid feeding on treated lawns because they dislike the taste.
However, geese may still walk across treated areas to get to adjacent
untreated areas. The active ingredient in ReJeXiT® is methyl
anthranilate (MA), which is a human-safe food flavoring derived from
grapes. The material is available at some garden supply centers and
costs about $125 per acre per application. Several applications per
year are usually necessary. Therefore, it is most practical and
cost-effective for homeowners with only small areas of lawn to
protect. For best results, follow directions on product labels; if too
dilute[sic], it won?t work, if too concentrated, it can kill the
grass. ReJeXiT® may not be used in ponds or wetlands in New York
State, and a DEC Article 24 (Freshwater Wetland) permit is needed to
apply it within 100 feet of a regulated wetland. No other repellents,
including products containing formulations of MA, have been approved
for use in New York state."
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/geese.pdf


Bird-X, Bird Control Products Since 1964
Gator Guard
"REALISTIC, UNASSUMING AND PERMANENT - Life-sized floating replica of
an alligator head, 25 threatening inches long, repel geese, ducks,
fish-eating birds and small animals from the water areas they love,
without spoiling the look of your property.
THIS WORKS BECAUSE IT MOVES!
Stationary owls don't work. But Gator Guard moves and bounces all
around the pond with the wind and water - plus, the mirrored-back eyes
flash in the sun. The birds think they're being followed, so they
can't acclimate to a fixed pattern."
http://www.bird-x.com/products/goose_control_repeller_gator.html
Phone 800-860-0473


County hires specialist to get its geese gone 
"Wild Goose Chase Inc. uses dogs, remote-controlled boats and laser
pointers to harass geese into flying away. The La Grange, Ill., firm
has nearly 140 clients, among them Milwaukee County, local golf
courses and housing complexes.

"Each goose produces three pounds of droppings a day," said Susan
Hagberg, the company's president. "They can be a tremendous nuisance."

"Her company uses trained border collies to herd the geese, which
typically waddle into a nearby pond. Employees then use
remote-controlled boats to harass the geese into flying away. At
night, employees flash harmless laser pointers, which confuse the
geese enough that they take off."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jun05/336397.asp?source=tmj4


Goose Chase (product located about three quarters of the way down the
page and appears to have the same basic ingredient as ReJexIt)
"What is GooseChase? It's a biodegradable, food-grade taste aversion
agent, made from a bitter tasting, smelly part of concord grapes
(active ingredient methyl anthranilate). It renders food sources
unpalatable and inedible to geese. Chase away geese."
http://www.safehomeproducts.com/SHP2/es/Organic_Animal_Repellers.asp?target=_top&b=ie6c&w=721&h=364&f=Y&frompg=238&topg=238&menupage=6


Goose Buster (product located about two thirds of the way down the page)
"GooseBuster is the first and only repeller to use actual alert and
alarm calls of Canada geese, recorded under natural conditions. Geese
recognize these calls and respond instinctively:
To "alert" calls indicating uneasiness about potential danger
And "alarm" calls signifying immediate danger.
In response, geese evacuate instantly, without waiting to identify the source. 

"Different calls in random combinations. Calls differ in frequency,
duration and intervals. Sound combinations, sequences and speaker
selection change randomly, leading geese to perceive many birds many
locations.

"23 years of research. GooseBuster is the tangible result of 23 years
of research conducted by Dr. Philip Whitford, Associate Professor of
Biology at Capital University. Click here for this research report."
http://www.safehomeproducts.com/SHP2/es/Sonic_Repellers.asp?target=_top&b=ie6c&w=721&h=364&f=Y&frompg=260&topg=260&menupage=6
Another site offering it: http://www.bugs2020.com/birdx-goose-buster.htm



These links should give you numerous choices for ridding your area of
unwanted geese.  Should you require clarification of any of the links
or info I've provided, please request it as I will be happy to
respond.

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY

"get rid of geese"
"Canadian geese" scare tips
"Canadian geese" rid tips
ReJexit

Clarification of Answer by journalist-ga on 22 Jul 2005 14:05 PDT
ADDENDUM: Recent geese problems in North America

September/October 2000
"Once thought extinct, the ?giant? Canada goose subspecies,
scientifically known as Branta canadensis, has increased tenfold in
two decades in Minnesota to more than 200,000 breeders. This makes the
Canada goose one of Minnesota?s major wildlife management success
stories.

"But success has brought problems. Canada geese are prolific grazers,
prefer-ring succulent plants such as short lawn grass. This attracts
them to golf courses, sports fields, and other mowed lawns, including
lakeshore lawns. They like feeding sites with open vistas and access
to lakes and marshes to escape danger. Lakeshore that is mowed to the
water?s edge is an ideal habitat. Because they are highly social birds
that congregate in large groups, except during nesting season, and
leave a large output of droppings, Canada geese are an unwanted guest
to many Minnesota residents, particularly those living on lakes. ?We
had 103 on our lawn one day in November,? says Susan Cook of Lake
Minnetonka."

(cont. from article)
"Why are there so many Canada geese?
Canada geese are extremely prolific. Able to reproduce at the age of
two or three years and living to over 10 years, a pair of adult geese
raises an average of about four young per year. A pond or lake with
three pairs of adult geese can multiply to nearly 50 birds within five
years and to over 300 in just 10 years. Most birds return to the same
nesting and feeding areas every year. The Canada goose population has
increased dramatically in lake home areas because the habitat is
abundant and their mortality from hunting and other predation is low.
Currently, about 25,000 geese spend the summer in the Twin Cities
Metropolitan Area."

Please read the entire article for more information.
http://mnlakes.org/main_dev/News/2000_Sep_Oct/canada_geese.cfm


******************************************************************

An Old Problem Expanded
"Until recently, everybody loved Canada geese, with their distinctive,
majestic markings in black, white and gray. In flight, they're
elegant; on land, they're regal and decorous. In the wild, Canada
geese are indeed a magnificent sight. But something happened when the
geese introduced themselves to populated civilization?particularly in
manmade domains with large tracts of open land dotted with delightful
wading pools and other enticing water features. It was as if real
estate developers knew exactly what geese like and so built to suit
those preferences."
Please read the entire article at
http://www.govpro.com/SiteMap_500/strArticleId/103491/ViewArticle.asp

**********************************************************************

Canada Goose in Connecticutt - problems/tips
From Connecticutt Department of Environmental Protection
http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife/factshts/cdgoose.htm

Managing Problems Caused by Urban Canada Geese
http://extension.usu.edu/publica/natrpubs/geese.pdf

*******************************************************************


SEARCH STRATEGY

geese problem North America 
geese problem North America unwanted
truman218-ga rated this answer:4 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $4.00

Comments  
Subject: Re: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese
From: omnivorous-ga on 22 Jul 2005 10:01 PDT
 
Short geese, but go "long" on swans:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/LivingWithWildlife/CanadaGoose.asp

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA
Subject: Re: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese
From: tlspiegel-ga on 22 Jul 2005 10:45 PDT
 
Perhaps you might be interested in another question I answered on Canadian Geese:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=458411
Subject: Re: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese
From: daniel2d-ga on 22 Jul 2005 23:23 PDT
 
Use a propane cannon.  Sounds like a cannon - the geese don't like it.
Subject: Re: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese
From: journalist-ga on 23 Jul 2005 22:19 PDT
 
Truman218, thank you so much for your added generosity!  It's an
unexpected bonus.  :)

Best regards,
journalist-ga
Subject: Re: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese
From: raps-ga on 16 Aug 2005 12:28 PDT
 
Every property / problem is individual.  You can reach a professional
company with locations nationwide at www.geesepoliceinc.com.  They can
likely answer any questions right over the phone or via e-mail.
Subject: Re: How to get rid of unwanted Canada Geese
From: rpivers-ga on 09 Jun 2006 13:58 PDT
 
New and innovative way to rid yourself of Geese can be found at
http://www.awaywithgeese.com

It seems too simple, but it works.  Geese are startled by the flashing
light, disturbing their sleep patterns and they simply move on to more
peaceful waters.

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy