Stop Geese From Ruining Your Lawn With These 7 Easy, Humane Solutions

If geese have turned your lawn into a warzone, don’t reach for extreme measures yet. Use this simple 7-step guide to repel geese humanely with smart landscaping, natural irritants and expert techniques. Reclaim your yard on a budget.

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Why Geese Are a Problem on Lawns

You look out your window and spot a flock of geese waddling across your lawn. “How lovely,” you think. That is, until you open your front door and step right into a pile of goose poop. As you try washing it off your shoe, the geese start honking loudly. This interrupts your morning coffee as you consider how to politely ask them to leave.

Unfortunately, situations like this are all too common when geese take up residence on your property. While seeing them fly overhead in their V-shaped formations is majestic, having them on your lawn daily can cause major headaches. Here’s an overview of some of the biggest problems geese can bring:

Messy Droppings Containing Harmful Bacteria

Let’s start with the obvious – goose poop stinks and there’s a lot of it! A single goose can produce over 1 pound of droppings each day. For a whole flock, that number multiplies quickly. All those messy green and white splotches on your lawn are not just unsightly, but unhygienic.

Goose droppings contain harmful bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter and more. The environment found inside their intestines harbors these disease-causing microbes. Canada geese and other waterfowl spread pathogens as they fly between water sources.

When goose poop dries, the bacteria become airborne and can be easily inhaled by children playing outside or even drift indoors through open doors and windows. In addition to the health hazards from airborne bacteria, goose droppings can end up on surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, patio furniture and more. Direct contact with goose poop, especially without washing hands afterwards, spreads bacteria and increases the risk of getting sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, exposure to goose droppings has been linked to outbreaks of E. coli and Cryptosporidium infecting people who swam in contaminated water. Beyond the human health aspect, pets can also become sick from ingesting goose feces.

Aggressive Behavior, Especially During Nesting Season

Canadian geese and other waterfowl species are not always the peaceful creatures they appear to be. During breeding and nesting season, geese can become quite aggressive. They do not take kindly to humans or animals disturbing their territory and will assertively defend their nests.

From early spring through summertime when goslings are still flightless, geese are on high alert. If you or your kids venture too close to a nest, expect angry birds to come charging at full speed, snapping their beaks and flapping violently. They deliver painful bites and whacks with their powerful wings when provoked.

Even large dogs are not immune to an aggressive goose encounter. There are amusing yet shocking videos online of dogs yelping and retreating as they are chased off by hostile geese. Anyone who values their safety (and dignity) will avoid a nesting flock during these months.

Voracious Appetites That Destroy Lawns

Geese adore munching on lawns adjacent to their watery homes. Grassy expanses near ponds, lakes, streams or wetlands offer irresistible grazing territory. Geese nibble the tender young shoots and will gradually mow down turfgrass as they eat. Their feeding habits combined with their droppings quickly lead to devastated lawns full of bald, muddy patches.

Certain types of grass like Kentucky bluegrass are goose magnets. But even fescue and bentgrass lawns get ravaged once geese move in. Their grazing, paired with the high-nitrogen load from all their poop, overwhelms grass and prevents regrowth. A flock of 30-50 geese can render a lawn completely dead within just a few weeks.

For homeowners, repairing goose damage may mean reseeding, applying fertilizer, dethatching and aerating the lawn. Even after restoring it, geese are likely to return and decimate the lawn all over again unless permanent control measures are taken. The costs quickly add up for anyone battling a goose infestation.

Loud Honking Any Time of Day or Night

You are probably familiar with the distinct honking sound geese make. Their loud, piercing calls serve to communicate within the flock and signal danger. When geese set up residence on your property, expect frequent honking throughout the day and night.

The noise levels easily exceed 100 decibels – louder than a shouting human and roughly the same volume as an ambulance siren. Now imagine a large flock all honking simultaneously at odd hours when you are trying to sleep. It is incredibly disruptive whether you are indoors or simply wanting some peace and quiet in your own backyard.

Goose honks carry for nearly a mile, causing problems for anyone unlucky enough to live nearby. People have filed dozens of noise complaints and even lawsuits against municipal governments for failing to control resident geese flocks in public parks and other areas. The relentless noise nuisance is yet another reason homeowners are eager to give geese the boot.

Real-Life Examples of Goose Damage

To illustrate just how destructive a goose infestation can become, here are some real-life examples:

A corporate office park in Virginia had a large pond that attracted over 300 geese. They ravaged the grass, defecated everywhere and became increasingly aggressive during nesting season. Employees complained of being accosted walking to their cars. Over $30,000 was spent bringing in dogs to chase off the geese and installing pond barriers. Even after spending all that money, some geese still returned.
A condo complex in Florida had a gaggle of at least 50 geese living on their 5-acre property. They caused over $10,000 in damage to grass, plants and irrigation systems. The condo board finally hired a pest control company to round up and euthanize dozens of geese after trying and failing to use humane hazing methods.
A college in Pennsylvania warned students to take precautions after over 300 geese produced nearly 2 tons of droppings per week across campus. Cleanup crews worked overtime but couldn’t keep pace. The school resorted to coating eggs in oil to smother goslings and reduce the population.
A woman in South Carolina fell and broke her arm after slipping in goose poop on the sidewalk outside her home. She successfully sued her neighborhood homeowners association for negligence in failing to control nuisance wildlife. The incident highlights how goose droppings create serious injury hazards.

As you can see, even just a few dozen geese can quickly escalate into a messy, noisy and expensive problem whether at home or on large properties. Their grazing and droppings destroy landscaping, while their aggressive behavior presents safety issues. Taking action as soon as geese move in can help avoid regrets down the road.

While geese can be truly troublesome, it is important to manage them humanely and safely. The next section covers tips for keeping your lawn goose-free without harming them or running afoul of wildlife protection laws. With some smart deterrent techniques, you can maintain a gorgeous lawn and serene environment without being overrun by birds or their unpleasant byproducts.

Understanding Goose Behavior

Before we get into solutions for keeping geese at bay, let’s first understand what makes them tick. Geese have some innate behaviors wired into their biology that influence why they congregate in certain areas. Knowing what motivates geese and their habitual patterns is key to finding effective deterrents.

Migration Ingrained in Their Nature

Many geese species, including the Canada goose, are migratory birds. Their bodies are genetically programmed to fly vast distances every year between nesting and wintering grounds. While their migration patterns can flex slightly based on weather, geese reliably return to the same locations across seasons to breed and feed.

In the springtime, geese head back north and seek out the same ponds, lakes and other wetland areas they nested at in prior years. Similarly, they will return to favorite wintering sites down south year after year. Geese may even come back to properties where they were harassed away previously through non-lethal means like hazing. Their homing instinct and site fidelity are so strong that temporary deterrents often fail to provide permanent solutions.

Lawns by Water Mean Safety and Food

Two key things geese seek out are prime sources of food near water where they can safely rest. Suburban areas with manicured lawns adjacent to ponds check both boxes, providing irresistible habitat. Well-maintained grass offers geese an all-you-can-eat salad bar, while the nearby water lets them retreat and find protection at night.

Geese prefer to graze lawns with short, tender shoots of new growth. They especially love grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass along with clovers. Fertilizing your lawn in early spring signals to geese that a buffet has opened. The feeding frenzy will continue until the lawn is decimated or the geese move on.

Waterfront lawns also appeal to geese because their limited mobility on land makes them vulnerable to predators. Carnivores like foxes, coyotes, bobcats and eagles all feed on geese. But geese are nearly invincible in water since few predators can catch them swimming. Lawn and pond combinations cater perfectly to geese by satisfying their nutritional and safety needs in a single location.

Mates For Life and Large Flocks

Geese form strong social bonds and nesting pairs that last for life. Nearly all species of geese take one mate for multiple breeding seasons, only seeking a new partner if their goose spouse dies. Both male and female geese look after their young. They work together to build nests, incubate eggs, and shepherd goslings once they hatch.

These monogamous bonds mean geese do not like being separated from their mates. If one goose in a pair is driven away or leaves, their partner will also depart to reunite with them. This behavior makes it difficult to thin out goose populations. You may succeed in chasing off a few individual geese only to have the remainder of the flock including their mates leave shortly after.

Geese also congregate in flocks numbering from a handful up to hundreds of birds. They find safety in numbers from predators and cooperate to stand watch, forage and migrate together. A lone goose kicked out of one area will simply fly off to join another nearby flock. These behaviors demonstrate how targeting individual problem geese only provides temporary relief.

Short Sight Lines Make Them Cautious

One interesting facet of goose physiology is that their eyes are positioned along the sides of their heads. This gives them a wide field of vision with excellent peripheral awareness. But it also means geese have a blind spot right in front of their face. They are unable to see directly under their bills.

As a result, geese feel most at risk on open, sparsely vegetated ground where potential danger could sneak up unseen. They seek out habitats that afford clear sight lines where they can spot approaching predators from a safe distance. This explains why geese favor short grass lawns near water and dislike forests or properties with tall plants and shrubs.

Real World Examples of Goose Habits

To see their behaviors in action, here are some real-world examples:

New York City implemented a program to reduce its booming Canada goose population by rounding up and euthanizing geese in parks. After two years and killing over 2,000 geese, the city was astonished when new flocks quickly repopulated the same areas. The strong homing and migration instincts brought in replacements.
A man in Minnesota grew tired of geese on his lakeshore lawn. He captured two nesting birds and relocated them 150 miles away, but the geese returned to his yard within a couple days. Even transporting them hundreds of miles failed to separate the bonded pair.
A business in Ohio used a border collie to chase away the 50-goose flock on their property. While the dog did initially drive them off, the geese simply reconvened in a new grazing area a half mile down the road. Their flocking tendency worked against the deterrent.
A lakeside golf course was plagued by geese eating grass on the greens. They planted tall fescue grass, allowed vegetative buffers to grow by the shore, and moved the green locations. The added vegetation addressed the geese’s fear of concealed predators and made the habitat less desirable.

As you can see from these examples, geese have ingrained habits around migration, bonding, fear and hunger. Taking advantage of their natural behaviors is key to ensuring long-term goose management success. Now let’s move onto actionable solutions!

How to Humanely Keep Geese Away

When it comes to managing goose flocks, lethal solutions like hunting or euthanizing geese should only ever be a last resort. There are dozens of humane goose deterrent options to try first that protect your property without harming birds. Let’s go through smart techniques for making your land unwelcoming to geese seeking food and shelter.

Remove Their Food Source

Eliminating the tasty buffet geese are after is step one. There are several eco-friendly ways to turn your lawn from a goose cafeteria to an unappetizing food desert:

Stop Feeding Geese

This one may seem obvious, but avoiding feeding geese deserves first mention. Well-intentioned people seeing geese cluster in parks or other public areas often throw out bread, birdseed and other snacks. This trains geese to seek out areas with easy meal handouts instead of foraging more naturally.

Feeding geese also lures in more birds as word spreads about the free food source. And it leads to malnourishment in geese that fill up on junk food rather than nutritious grasses. So as tempting as it might be to interact with the geese, ceasing the free bread buffet forces them to move on.

Posting “No Feeding Wildlife” signs around areas where geese congregate can discourage the public from providing handouts. If you spot neighbors or park visitors intentionally feeding geese nearby, politely educate them on why this causes problems. Peer pressure can help curtail well-meaning but harmful feeding behaviors over time.

Remove Grass Adjacent to Waterways

Because geese seek out lawns near ponds or wetlands, eliminating turfgrass in those zones starves them out. Replace shoreline grass with less appetizing plants and materials like:

Mulch beds
Large river rocks
Vegetable gardens fenced off at a goose-proof height
Flower gardens with unpalatable native species
Shrubs and bushes spaced tightly enough that geese cannot move between them

You can also extend water features like moats or fountains further into landscaped areas to disrupt clear pathways between water and grass. The more you fragment that ideal transition zone from water to lawn, the less hospitable that habitat becomes for geese.

Grow Grass Longer

Keeping turfgrass cut to 6 inches or taller removes the tender young shoots geese prefer. It also impairs their sight lines, giving predators like foxes ample hiding spots to lay in wait.

For best results:

Raise mower height early in spring before geese arrive.
Water and fertilize lawns less frequently to slow growth.
Leave clippings on the lawn instead of bagging them. Longer blades will cover and compost the clippings faster.
Consider natural lawn alternatives to grass requiring less frequent mowing.
If you do spot geese grazing, immediately raise mower height and stop fertilizing until they depart.

Apply Foul-Tasting Repellents

Liquid lawn treatments are available that use natural ingredients to irritate geese’s sensitivities:

Methyl anthranilate – Derived from grapes, it explodes in geese’s mouths and leaves a bitter flavor they dislike. Reapply after heavy rain.
Anthraquinone – Made from aloe, it gives geese severe stomach upset when ingested. Use gloves since it may irritate human skin.

Look for EPA-approved products labeled safe for pets and kids. Always follow instructions carefully and reapply at intervals recommended on the label to train geese that your lawn tastes terrible.

Alternative Landscaping Strategies

Beyond typical suburban lawns, certain environments offer fewer dining options for geese. Here are some alternative landscape styles worth considering:

Rock gardens – Use gravel, crushed stone, pea stone, boulders and other inorganic mulches.
Dry creek beds – Line the creek with river rock to mimic water without attracting geese.
Vegetable gardens – Fence off plots and only grow produce geese dislike.
Ornamental grasses – Plant taller grass varieties unappealing as food sources.
Prairie gardens – Mix native wildflowers, ornamental grasses and ground covers.

Adjusting landscape designs to exclude open turfgrass entirely deprives geese of their favored snacks. Consult a landscape designer for help repurposing your yard.

Disrupt Their Sense of Security

Geese feel safest on habitats offering unobstructed views and quick water access. Take that away and they will reluctantly move on. Methods for disrupting their comfort zones include:

Install Barriers Between Land And Water

Physical barriers cut off the ideal transition zone from pond to grass that geese love. Options to consider:

Short wire or post fencing (2-3 feet high) surrounding ponds. Leave the side facing water open so geese can exit.
Vegetation buffers – Plant reeds, tall grasses or unappetizing shrubs thickly at water’s edge.
Large rocks or boulders placed right at the water’s edge to prevent geese from easily exiting.

Barriers enclosing a pond physically obstruct geese’s movement from water to grazing. But take care not to fully trap geese and prevent their escape.

Employ Predator Decoys And Alarm Calls

Adding fake yet realistic predators to visible spots alerts geese to potential threats. Effective options include:

Coyote or dog decoys – Place near feeding or nesting areas and reposition frequently. Attach to a spring base so wind causes movement.
Fake alligators or large birds – Float decoys in ponds or stand on the shoreline. Motorized decoys that spin add realism.
Goose distress call players – These devices mimic cries of scared or injured geese, signaling danger. Place near nests or high-traffic zones.
Hawk kites and floating rafts – Kites mimicking large birds of prey soaring overhead can intimidate geese when airborne.

The more lifelike and dynamic the decoys are, the better they deter geese. Adding sounds like distress calls enhances realism. Just be mindful of neighbors when using noisy devices.

Employ Specially-Trained Herding Dogs

Some working dog breeds like border collies can be taught to patrol areas and chase nuisance geese away. Under a handler’s supervision, the dogs herd geese off of properties without harming them. Dogs are so intimidating to geese that their presence alone may be enough to persuade geese to leave.

If hiring a professional critter control company or dog trainer, ensure they use only non-lethal hazing techniques. The dogs should simply scare, not attack or maim geese. And handlers must have any necessary licenses to use the dogs for wildlife management.

Use Lasers And Shiny Deterrents

Geese sleep at night with half their brains awake to stay on alert. Startling devices that prevent quality rest can encourage geese to move on.Lasers are extremely unsettling when shone near roosting geese at night. Scanning laser lights, similar to ones used for cat toys, irritate geese trying to rest.

During daylight, reflective ribbons, pinwheels, CD discs, balloons with large “eye” spots and similar shiny objects disturbing to geese can be placed around your property. Anything producing random flashes, glints of light or movement keeps geese on edge.

Haze Geese By Scaring And Herding

When geese wander into an unwanted area, gently yet assertively haze them away by:

Making loud startling sounds (yelling, clapping, air horns, whistles, etc.)
Spraying geese with water guns or remote control boats that chase them
Running toward the geese waving your arms while yelling
Allowing leashed dogs to bark and approach, but not contact, geese

The geese should be hazed until they take flight and leave the property. Be persistent and increase the intensity over time to teach them your land is unsafe. Avoid hazing geese unable to fly such as molting adults or goslings still growing flight feathers.

Prevent Nesting

Stopping geese from nesting on your property means no goslings for them to aggressively defend. Block likely nesting spots like:

Mulched beds and landscaped areas
Under decks
Near structures like sheds or foundation plantings
Nooks along shorelines or ponds

Methods to exclude nesters:

Add fencing or nursery wire over soil beds
Use motion-activated sprinklers under decks or buildings
Plant thorny shrubs around foundations and mulch beds
Place large rocks or boulders along shorelines
String thick monofilament line in a criss-cross grid pattern across nesting zones

Check for any actively incubated clutches and contact wildlife authorities before removing established nests. A goose family with young goslings is problematic, but should not be forced to permanently abandon dependent offspring.

With some ingenuity, you can convince geese that your property is no longer their paradise. Consistently making them feel unsafe and hungry will eventually motivate geese to pack up and find greener pastures.

Ongoing Prevention Methods

Removing geese from your property is only step one. Equally important is keeping geese from returning in the future. Discouraging geese requires diligent, multidimensional efforts over the long haul. Don’t get complacent if geese suddenly disappear. Consistently make your land as unwelcoming as possible using these prevention techniques:

Move Predator Decoys Frequently

Decoys like fake coyotes or hawk kites only deter geese when positioned in high-traffic zones. But geese will rapidly realize stationary decoys are not an actual threat.

To maximize effectiveness:

Relocate decoys to fresh spots every 2-3 days at minimum.
Adjust decoy positioning based on where geese are congregating. Move decoys into new areas if geese shift locations.
Use decoys that move naturally in the wind for enhanced realism. Rotating sprinklers can also give decoys motion.
Mix up different decoy shapes and models to keep geese guessing.

Keeping decoys dynamic by shifting their location often will extend their usefulness and prevent geese from catching on.

Reapply Liquid Repellents

No residual lawn treatment deters geese permanently. Liquid repellents like anthraquinone or methyl anthranilate gradually break down. Rainfall, irrigation and mowing also remove active ingredients over time.

Expect to reapply goose repellent:

Every 2-4 weeks during peak migration and nesting seasons when goose pressure is highest.
Following any significant rainfall that could wash compounds away.
After mowing, aerating or dethatching lawns since this removes some repellent.
Anytime geese are again spotted grazing on the grass.

Using automatic irrigation timers can help maintain a consistent repellent schedule. Mark your calendar for reapplication dates to stay on top of goose deterrence.

Alter Landscaping Over Time

While major landscaping overhauls quickly deter geese, they may still try returning once the shock wears off. Continue evolving your habitat over years to sustain results:

Extend water barriers and vegetation buffers farther from ponds each year.
Increase the height of plants and grasses gradually to remain above the goose comfort zone.
Replace ineffective plants with different native species that thrive in your climate.
Expand paver patios, mulch beds, vegetable gardens and other goose-unfriendly areas annually.
Vary deterrent techniques used from year to year. Don’t let geese grow accustomed to any one strategy.

Keeping habitats frustratingly dynamic for geese requires long-term diligence. But consistently varying deterrents over multiple seasons maximizes effectiveness.

Avoid Approaching Nests

As tempting as it might be to peek at adorable goslings, never intentionally disturb nesting geese. Nests are often hidden out of sight, so don’t go searching for them.

If you encounter one accidentally:

Back away slowly and leave the area.
Avoid making noise or sudden movements.
Find an alternate route instead of passing near nests.
Keep children and pets away since geese are fiercely protective of eggs and young.

Avoiding nests prevents aggressive attacks from territorial geese. Parents will move goslings to water soon after hatching where they pose less risk.

Never Feed Geese

We covered this earlier, but it bears repeating as an ongoing deterrent strategy. Do not provide geese with any human food like bread or birdseed. And educate neighbors and visitors against feeding as well.

Geese that associate your property with an easy meal will keep returning no matter what barriers you erect. Only strict food removal, avoiding handouts and maintaining unpalatable landscaping will starve geese out for good.

When To Use Reinforcement Measures

Certain events may call for briefly reinforcing your deterrent efforts:

Early spring when geese first return to start nesting.
Late summer/early fall when molting geese become flightless for 1-2 months.
Anytime new geese are spotted lingering on the property.
Following severe weather events that damage deterrents like fencing or reduce plant height. Periodically “refreshing” deterrents reminds stubborn geese that this is no safe haven. Be ready to ramp up harassment again even after you think all geese have moved on.

Case Study Examples

Homeowners often make the mistake of letting down their guard once geese disappear. Here are real-world examples where constant vigilance would have prevented goose comebacks:

A winery used dogs to chase off the flock on their vineyard. The geese left but returned repeatedly over the following weeks whenever the dogs were absent. Using the dogs daily for a month rather than just a few times would have reinforced the threat.
A homeowner installed wire fencing around their pond coupled with predator decoys to drive away geese. It worked for one season, but they did not maintain or relocate the decoys the following year. Unsurprisingly, the geese eventually ignored the stale decoys and found ways through the fence.
A county park erected signs asking visitors to stop feeding geese. While it cut down on feedings initially, without ongoing enforcement or penalties the public soon resumed offering food handouts again.

Make your property as inhospitable to geese as possible on a permanent basis. They may depart when initially challenged but will seize any opportunity to regain their paradise.

When to Call a Professional

While many goose deterrents can be tackled yourself, some challenging situations warrant contacting professionals:

Help Removing Established Nests

Geese build nests on the ground consisting of plant debris and feathers. If you discover an active nest with eggs inside:

Do not try moving it yourself. Geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with restrictions on harassing or relocating them.
Contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to obtain proper permits before interfering with nests. There may also be additional state and local laws.
Hire a licensed wildlife control company that understands all regulations and uses humane practices.

Professionals know how to remove or treat eggs to comply with the law and prevent hatching. Let them handle containment and relocation as well.

Physical Removal If Needed

As a last resort if geese persist after exhausting all deterrent options, professionals can humanely round up and relocate birds. Before considering this route:

Confirm no eggs or young depend on adult geese that would be left behind.
Ensure the company captures and transports geese safely to an approved new site with permits allowing release.
Understand relocated geese may return anyway or just join other flocks nearby. So removal provides temporary relief at best.

Some animal welfare groups oppose relocation entirely since survival rates for transported wildlife are low. Never hire companies practicing unethical capture methods or illegal killing.

Ongoing Management For Stubborn Flocks

In rare cases where large goose flocks prove incredibly stubborn:

Work with USDA biologists who may legally oil eggs to prevent hatching after trying other options first. This reduces populations humanely over time.
Hire a company offering trained goose herding dogs. Handlers can bring dogs onsite daily as needed during peak seasons.
Consider availing municipal goose management services if available in your area. Some parks departments address nuisance geese across entire towns.
Pool resources with neighbors to implement neighborhood-wide deterrents. The more properties that coordinate efforts, the harder it becomes for geese to find sanctuary nearby.

Whatever services you hire, always check qualifications and opt for humane practices only. With enough persistence, professional help can provide the extra nudge needed to finally claim victory over problem geese. But the onus falls back on you to maintain deterrents that prevent reinfestation.

Protect Yourself if Attacked

Geese become extremely territorial from spring through mid-summer as they nest and raise goslings. If you get too close to a protective parent goose, you risk being aggressively charged. Follow these tips to safely diffuse tense encounters and avoid injury:

Face the Goose and Maintain Eye Contact

If a goose comes at you hissing with wings spread wide, stand your ground while facing the bird. Avoid turning your back or attempting to flee, which can trigger pursuit.

Maintaining direct eye contact helps convey that you are not an easy target. It also lets you closely monitor the goose’s movements and react accordingly. You want to appear tall, confident and not intimidated.

Back Away Slowly Without Aggression

Once the angry goose stops advancing, begin cautiously backing away while still facing the bird. Move slowly and calmly without any sudden movements that could re-spark pursuit.

Keep hands down in a non-threatening position. Do not yell, wave your arms or make other aggressive gestures, as this will be received as provocation. The goal is to slowly disengage without further antagonizing the territorial goose.

Do Not Kick or Initiate Noise

It can be tempting to want to fight off an attacking goose by kicking at it or aggressively yelling. But resist that urge! Kicking or loud noise will only escalate the situation and put you at greater risk of being bitten or struck by wings.

Standing tall and unflustered while steadily withdrawing often causes the goose to lose interest. Screaming or lashing out turns a defensive goose into full combat mode. Don’t give it an excuse to escalate.

Use A Large Object as a Shield if Needed

Occasionally a highly aggressive goose will not be deterred by a slow human retreat. In those cases, use a large object as a protective buffer while leaving:

Open an umbrella between yourself and the goose as a visual shield while backing away.
Hold a bike, branch, bag or other object in front to block charging attacks.
Move to put a tree, car, hedge or structure between you and the goose to break its vision.

The item should act strictly as a barrier for defense, not be used to swat at the goose. Keep withdrawing until safely out of the goose’s perceived territory.

Pick Up and Protect Children

Small kids faced with an attacking goose are prone to run or scream, which can trigger serious pursuit. If young ones are present:

Calmly instruct children not to run or yell. Reassure them you are handling it.
Pick up toddlers immediately and hold them facing away from the goose.
Place yourself between the goose and older children while withdrawing as a unit.
Have kids walk behind you or hold an adult’s hands for cover.

Shield vulnerable little ones from harm while everyone backs away together. Your human wall gives kids crucial time to escape as you absorb the goose’s attention.

Use Caution Around Nesting Areas

When geese are guarding nests or goslings, their protective instincts heighten dramatically. Avoid these high-risk zones whenever possible:

Give nesting areas near water wide berth when passing by.
Don’t intentionally approach young geese. Parent geese may chase you away for getting too close.
Keep dogs leashed since curious pups often trigger fierce attacks from nesting geese.

By steering clear of sensitive areas, you reduce the chances of a goose perceiving you as a threat to its territory or offspring.

Have an Escape Route Planned

When walking or playing in parks or fields known to have resident geese, scope out potential refuge spots in advance:

Move near trees, buildings, fences or other structures that could block a pursuing goose.
Visualize climbing on top of a play structure, bench, picnic table or other elevated object that geese cannot reach.
Locate bodies of water to quickly wade into since geese lose their advantage fighting in water.

Mapping your environment improves reaction time and safety if unexpectedly confronted by an upset goose. Think through defensive tactics before venturing into goose zones.

Staying alert, calm and avoiding aggression are your best defenses against an ornery goose. With raptor-like vision, powerful wings and sharp beaks, geese can certainly hold their own in confrontation. By respecting their space and guardian instincts, confrontations are less likely to happen in the first place.

The Benefits of Humane Goose Control

After reading about all the problems geese cause, you may be eager to rush into aggressive hazing or removal methods. But there are compelling reasons to focus on non-lethal, humane approaches instead:

Improves Hygiene and Reduces Disease Risks

A key motivator for deterring geese is avoiding public health hazards from droppings. Each goose produces over a pound of poop daily that can harbor dangerous E. coli, Salmonella and other bacteria.

Using non-violent deterrents allows you to reclaim your property without contributing more viral loads. Inhumane removal methods risk spreading pathogens further:

Relocated geese may join other flocks and continue shedding bacteria in new locations.
Dead geese can leak fecal bacteria into soil and waterways, acting as viral reservoirs.

Keeping geese moving with gradual harassment minimizes transmission risks without adding to environmental contamination.

Allows Full Use of Your Yard Without Disruption

Tolerating messy, aggressive geese on your property impedes enjoyment of outdoor areas. Humane deterrents let you reclaim yard access for recreation and relaxation without added hassles.

Your family gains safety, cleanliness and peacefulness after geese move on. Kids and pets can play freely without slipping in poop or getting chased. You regain space for gardening, dining and entertaining outdoors. With geese gone for good, your ideal backyard oasis opens up.

Avoids Harm to Valuable Native Species

Most North American geese species are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This includes nuisance flocks of Canada geese descended from domesticated populations.

Lethal removal methods often backfire by being ineffective long-term. Gentle harassment encourages geese to simply move elsewhere without doing irreversible damage to protected species.

Since geese play important roles seed dispersal and nutrient cycling, humanely steering them away maintains ecological balance. Reducing lethal management protects birds and prevents upsetting supporters of wildlife conservation efforts.

Builds Community Goodwill

How you manage nuisance wildlife on your own property can impact the greater community. Inhumane practices like hunting geese create controversies and vocal opposition.

Using a compassionate approach based on deterrents and exclusion demonstrates civic and environmental awareness. You become part of the solution instead of creating more conflict.

Saves Money Over Harmful Methods

Trying to remove geese through relocation or culling programs wastes taxpayer money on ineffective solutions. Non-lethal control options are more economical for homeowners as well.

Purchasing humane repellents, barriers and deterrent devices is a modest investment compared to rebuilding damaged landscaping year after year. And you avoid potential legal issues or PR backlash from inhumane practices.

Sets a Good Example for Children

How we interact with nature and fellow living creatures teaches volumes to the next generation. You can model empathy and use the goose issue as an opportunity to educate kids on values like:

Appreciating wildlife even when inconvenient
Prioritizing non-violent solutions
Exercising patience while resolving problems

Lead by example on coexisting ethically with animals instead of resorting to harm.

Guards Your Reputation

No one enjoys being perceived as mean or inconsiderate. Using cruel goose removal methods can hurt your standing locally. Neighbors may judge your character based on how you manage geese on your turf.

Taking the high road with humane deterrents portrays you as reasonable and kind. You become someone who thoughtfully coexists with nature instead of conquering it through destruction.

In the end, maintaining your humanity protects geese and people. Deploying compassion along with persistence will resolve goose problems for good.

Key Takeaways

Dealing with problematic geese on your property can be frustrating, but solutions exist that are both effective and humane. Here are the key tips to remember:

Eliminate food sources by ceasing feeding, removing shoreline grass, and using repellents. Hungry geese will move on.
Disrupt their sense of security by installing barriers, employing decoys and dogs, and hazing. Make your land an uncomfortable habitat.
Prevent nesting and breeding by blocking access to nesting zones. Reduce future generations humanely through egg addling.
Use multilayered deterrents and consistently reinforce over time. Avoid complacency once geese depart.
Seek professional assistance for specialized services like removal or population reduction when appropriate.
Exercise caution if confronted by aggressive nesting geese. Avoid young and retreat if charged.
Focus on non-lethal tactics only. Prioritize coexistence with protected migratory bird species.

With persistence and a little creativity, you can reclaim your property safely and humanely. Just remember that deterring geese is an ongoing endeavor requiring diligence across seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Struggling to manage geese on your property? Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about humane goose control and deterrents.

What are the most effective goose repellents?

Top-rated commercial repellents contain naturally derived ingredients like methyl anthranilate or anthraquinone. Reapply these EPA-approved formulas every 2-4 weeks to deter geese long-term. Avoid repellents using synthetic ingredients that can harm pets and wildlife.

How do I stop geese from pooping everywhere?

Reduce grass along shorelines to restrict goose movement between water and land. Use barriers like fences or unappetizing vegetation to block access. Apply repellents to remaining lawn areas to irritate geese. Be sure to never feed geese or provide food waste access. Their poop will follow their buffet.

What plants keep geese away?

Geese dislike traveling through dense, prickly plants or very tall grasses that obstruct their vision. Plant buffers with intimidating varieties like switchgrass, prairie dropseed, lavender, rosemary, barberry, penstemon, or yucca. Mix heights, textures and sharp thorns.

How do I get rid of geese nests?

Do not disturb nests once eggs are present. Instead, install barriers early in spring before geese build nests. Wire, fencing, thorny shrubs and sprinklers can block nesting zones. If you find a completed nest, contact authorities to obtain permits before removing eggs.

Will dogs or cats keep geese away?

Dogs specifically trained in goose harassment can help, but your average pet lacks the right temperament. Cats do not deter geese. Untrained dogs often just chase geese from land to water where they remain unafraid. Some dogs get injured confronting territorial geese. Only use professionals for dog harassment.

How do you stop geese from landing on your pond?

Encircle at least 75% of pond shorelines with a perimeter fence. Leave a portion unfenced so geese are not completely trapped. Drape the fenced areas densely with netting at a minimum 5 feet height to block flying access. Geese are unable to take off from netted water surfaces.

When do geese migrate away from my area?

Northern flocks migrate south from September through November and return in February through April. However, non-migratory resident geese populations are increasingly common. These groups stay put year-round. Use seasonal timing to bolster deterrents when migratory geese first arrive and just before they depart.

How close to a goose nest can I get before the parents attack?

Adult geese defending nests can be very aggressive. Stay at least 30-50 feet away once eggs are present, and avoid getting between the goose and nest. Retreat immediately if one hisses or charges you. Geese will usually lose interest once you leave their established territory perimeter.

How much does professional goose removal cost?

Having a licensed service humanely trap and relocate nuisance geese typically ranges from $200 – $500 per bird. Prices depend on flock size, travel distance and choice of relocation site. Alternatively, companies may charge hourly rates starting at $75 – $150 for hazing assistance, nest disruption or egg oiling.