Nuisance geese, known for their aggressive territoriality and copious droppings, often conflict with the desire to protect ducks. Selective deterrence relies on understanding and exploiting the distinct physical and behavioral differences between these two species of waterfowl. Because most native wild birds are protected by federal law, all effective removal strategies must be non-lethal and humane, focusing on making an area unattractive to geese while remaining welcoming to ducks.
Exploiting Behavioral and Physical Differences
Geese are significantly larger and heavier than most duck species, a primary difference informing selective deterrence methods. A typical adult goose weighs between 8 and 20 pounds, while a duck might weigh only 2 to 4 pounds, influencing their mobility on land and water. Geese have long necks and legs positioned toward the center of their bodies, making them efficient terrestrial grazers that prefer to walk onto water or open land. Ducks, by contrast, are smaller with shorter necks and legs set farther back, which is better suited for swimming, diving, and taking flight directly from the water.
Dietary preferences also create a separation point, as geese are predominantly herbivores relying heavily on grazing short, manicured grass for sustenance. Ducks have a more omnivorous diet, consuming aquatic plants, insects, seeds, and invertebrates. Geese are also highly territorial and assertive, sometimes acting as guardians, whereas ducks are generally more docile and skittish. These differences in size, locomotion, and diet are the foundations for designing selective barriers and repellents.
Selective Landscape and Physical Barriers
Physical barriers exploit the goose’s preference for walking access and clear sightlines, while allowing smaller, more agile ducks to pass freely. Low-strung barrier fencing, consisting of wire or monofilament line, is effective because geese are reluctant to step over even a modest obstacle to reach a grazing area. A two-line barrier with one strand set at about 6 inches and a second at 12 to 18 inches above the ground interrupts their normal travel patterns without impeding smaller ducks. Ducks easily fly over or navigate these barriers, which do not interfere with their primary feeding and landing behaviors.
Shoreline modification capitalizes on the goose’s need for an unobstructed view of potential predators. Allowing a strip of native vegetation, such as tall grasses or shrubs, to grow 20 to 30 feet wide along the water’s edge creates a visual barrier that geese avoid. Geese perceive this obscured sightline as a risk, but ducks often use this denser cover for nesting, shelter, and foraging, making the area more attractive to them. Creating steep banks or adding large, uneven rocks along the shoreline further discourages geese, as they prefer shallow, gently sloped access points.
Water grid systems use high-tension wires or monofilament lines strung in a grid pattern 12 to 18 inches above the water’s surface. Geese require a long, clear runway to land and take off due to their size, deterring them from using the water body. Ducks, being smaller and more agile, navigate the spaces between the grid lines or land in the smaller gaps, allowing them to continue using the water. This method is most practical for small ponds or contained water features, where the grid lines are typically spaced 10 to 15 feet apart.
Targeted Aversion and Repellent Techniques
Chemical repellents offer a selective solution by targeting the goose’s grazing diet. Products containing Methyl Anthranilate (MA) are applied directly to the grass, creating a bitter taste that irritates the bird’s trigeminal nerve, similar to pepper spray for humans. Geese quickly learn to avoid the treated turf, their main food source, and relocate, while ducks are largely unaffected because they do not rely on grazing grass. This non-toxic, food-grade substance, derived from sources like concord grapes, is repellent to birds but safe for other wildlife and humans.
Visual and scare tactics can be tailored to the goose’s inherent wariness and large size. Geese are highly visual and constantly scan for threats, responding well to decoys, reflective tape, or solar-powered amber lights that flash at night. These deterrents exploit the goose’s need for security during roosting, but must be moved frequently to prevent the birds from becoming habituated. Ducks are generally less susceptible to these tactics, provided the devices do not physically block their flight paths or water access points.
Eliminating all public feeding is a fundamental management practice that significantly reduces the artificial food subsidy geese depend on. Geese are much more prone to habituation and reliance on human handouts than ducks, and removing this food source makes the area less attractive to large flocks. This action removes a major attractant for geese, further supporting selective deterrence without negatively impacting the natural foraging behavior of ducks.