Canada Geese often cause conflict on properties due to damage from grazing and the accumulation of large amounts of fecal matter. These migratory birds are attracted to expansive, manicured lawns near water sources, which provide ideal foraging areas and clear sight lines for predator detection. Deterring these geese requires a multi-faceted approach targeting food sources, safety, and ease of access. Effective strategies prioritize humane methods, as scaring the birds away once is rarely enough for permanent departure.
Modifying the Landscape and Food Source
The foundation of any long-term goose control plan is making the environment less appealing for grazing. Geese strongly prefer lush, low-cut turfgrasses that are easily digestible, such as Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and fine fescue. Switching to less palatable turf species, such as tall fescue, centipedegrass, or zoysiagrass, significantly reduces the lawn’s attractiveness. Tall fescue is less preferred, and certain varieties containing endophytes may act as a mild feeding deterrent.
Reducing high-nitrogen fertilizers is effective, as these products promote the growth of the tender, high-protein shoots geese seek. Allowing the grass to grow slightly taller, perhaps to about eight inches, makes the lawn tougher to graze and less desirable for feeding.
If the property includes a pond or other water feature, creating a dense vegetative buffer of tall grasses and shrubs, at least 24 inches high and 25 feet wide, along the water’s edge disrupts the clear sight lines geese require to feel secure. This barrier forces them to fly in and out, which is more energetically costly than walking, and increases their perception of risk from predators.
Employing Visual and Auditory Scare Tactics
Once the environment is less welcoming, active deterrents targeting the geese’s sensory perception can be introduced. Visual deterrents, such as decoys resembling predators like coyotes or swans, are effective initially, but geese quickly habituate to static objects. To maintain efficacy, move these decoys frequently (preferably every few days) to make the threat appear dynamic. Reflective materials, including strips of tape or holographic ribbons, create flashes of light that can startle geese near feeding or loafing areas.
Auditory deterrents are effective when used in combination with other methods to increase the perceived danger. Motion-activated sprinklers that spray water suddenly are successful because they combine unexpected movement with an aversive element. Devices that broadcast pre-recorded goose distress calls or predator sounds can also frighten flocks away. However, for these sounds to work long-term, they must be used at varied times and locations to prevent habituation, and volume must be managed to avoid disturbing human neighbors.
Physical Barriers and Taste Aversion Sprays
To physically block access, low-profile perimeter fencing can be installed, recognizing that geese prefer to walk onto a property from a water source rather than fly over an obstacle. A simple fence 2 to 3 feet high is often sufficient to deter them, especially if the fence material is opaque or visually disruptive.
Another subtle physical barrier involves stringing thin, highly visible monofilament lines just above the ground around the turf area or near the water-land transition point. These lines, placed at a height of 6 to 12 inches, disrupt the geese’s ability to walk or land comfortably, making the area inconvenient for foraging.
Chemical taste aversion sprays provide a non-toxic method of making the grass unappetizing. The most common active ingredient is Methyl Anthranilate (MA), a compound derived from grape extract that is generally recognized as safe for use on lawns. MA works by irritating the trigeminal nerves and mucous membranes in the goose’s beak and mouth, creating an unpleasant sensation when they graze. For the deterrent to remain effective, reapplication is necessary after heavy rain, and weekly mowing will remove the treated grass blades, requiring a new application.
Understanding Legal Protections and Humane Hazing
Canada Geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), a federal law. The MBTA makes it illegal to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, or possess migratory birds, their eggs, or nests without specific authorization. Lethal measures or the destruction of nests or eggs are prohibited without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, underscoring the necessity of using non-lethal, humane hazing techniques.
Humane hazing involves consistent, non-injurious harassment to establish that the area is unsafe for loafing and feeding. This requires persistent effort, chasing geese off the property every time they land until they learn to avoid the location entirely. Trained border collies are highly effective, as geese perceive them as a natural predator due to their intense stare and stalking behavior. A well-handled border collie forces the geese to fly away completely rather than just retreating to the nearest water source.