Canada geese in residential settings, especially around swimming pools, create sanitation and maintenance issues due to the droppings they leave behind. Geese are drawn to open water for safety and surrounding lawns for grazing, making pools and manicured yards highly attractive. Addressing this problem requires a consistently applied, humane strategy focusing on non-lethal methods. The most effective approach combines physical barriers, sensory discouragement, and long-term habitat modification to make the area unappealing.
Utilizing Physical Exclusion Methods
Physical barriers prevent geese from accessing the water or the immediate pool area. Temporary fencing, at least 30 inches high, can be installed around the pool perimeter to block walking access, especially during the summer molting period when geese are flightless. The material should be durable and installed low to the ground to prevent birds from walking underneath.
For the pool surface, a solid pool cover or solar blanket removes the open water geese seek for landing and resting. When a cover is impractical, stringing a grid of thin monofilament line or specialized wire across the water surface can disrupt their airspace. These “goose grids” are typically set 12 to 18 inches above the water with lines spaced 10 to 15 feet apart, creating a barrier that prevents safe landing.
Implementing Sensory and Visual Deterrents
Introducing elements that confuse or frighten geese can break their habit of visiting the pool area. Predator effigies, such as floating alligator heads or coyote silhouettes, exploit the geese’s natural fear. To prevent the birds from becoming accustomed to these visual threats, they must be moved frequently, ideally every few days, to maintain the illusion of a mobile threat.
Motion-activated sprinklers provide a sudden, harmless burst of water when a goose enters the protected zone, startling the bird and encouraging it to leave. For larger flocks, specialized laser deterrents can be employed, which the geese perceive as an approaching physical danger. Green lasers (minimum 200mW) are useful as they offer better visibility during daytime hours when geese are most active.
Directing the laser beam to the ground several yards away and slowly sweeping it toward the geese encourages them to take flight without the risk of eye injury. This technique is most effective in the early morning and late evening. Reflective tape or holographic diverters can also be hung around the pool area to create intermittent flashes of light that disorient the birds.
Modifying the Landscape for Long-Term Discouragement
Long-term deterrence is achieved by making the surrounding habitat less appealing for grazing and nesting. Geese prefer short, manicured turf because it offers clear sightlines, allowing them to spot predators easily. Allowing the grass immediately surrounding the pool area to grow to a height of 6 to 14 inches denies them this clear view and makes the area feel unsafe for feeding.
Eliminating inadvertent food sources is a foundational step, including ensuring pet food is not left outdoors and that residents are not intentionally feeding the birds. Another technique is applying non-toxic, taste-based chemical repellents to the turf, such as products containing methyl anthranilate. This compound makes the grass unpalatable to geese without harming them, conditioning the birds to graze elsewhere.
Understanding Legal and Humane Guidelines
All methods used to manage geese must adhere to federal and state regulations prioritizing the humane treatment of wildlife. Canada geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), making it illegal to hunt, capture, injure, or kill the birds. This protection also extends to their nests and eggs.
Tampering with a nest or destroying eggs is strictly prohibited without first obtaining a federal permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Harassment, such as using hazing techniques or deterrents, is permissible as long as the action does not result in physical harm or injury to the bird. Property owners should confirm local ordinances and ensure their chosen deterrents are non-lethal to remain in compliance.