Managing Canada Geese

Canada geese are a valuable natural resource that provide recreation and enjoyment to bird-watchers, hunters and the public. However, in recent years, flocks of local nesting or "resident" geese have become year-round inhabitants of our parks, waterways, residential areas, golf courses and fields, where they can cause significant problems. To control these problems, it is helpful to understand some important characteristics of the goose before setting up your management program. 

Canada geese are grazers. Their diet consists mainly of grasses and succulent green vegetation. In urban areas, they prefer lawn grass. In agricultural areas, geese feed on crops (especially corn), and spring planted pasture. 

Canada geese nest in the spring, and nesting sites are usually surrounded by, or are very close to, water. Water provides access to food, drink, and an escape from predators. Nesting females tend to use the same immediate area year after year. As a result, it is very difficult to remove them after they breed in an area. Also, once the geese nest in the spring, they become much more aggressive and will not leave until the goslings have hatched (a 26-28 day incubation period) and are able to fly. 

Once per year between mid-May and late July, adult Canada geese undergo a complete replacement of flight feathers. This process is called "molting." During this four to six week period, adult geese will not be able to fly. Severe property damage often occurs during this time as geese congregate in areas near water that have good grazing and unobstructed views.

Choosing Management Techniques

When developing a management program, it's important to consider how large the problem area is, and how the geese get to that area. Some management techniques are only feasible and efficient in smaller areas. Some techniques are only useful where the geese are walking to the problem area, as opposed to flying in. The most important aspect of your management program is timing. You should begin a management program early in the season before large numbers of geese come together and begin nesting. Using two or more of the techniques listed below will provide a much better result than relying on one method alone.

Fencing can be effective for small areas where geese tend to walk from a water source to a feeding area. A low fence or other barrier to prevent the birds from easily moving from grassy feeding areas to water may be all that is needed to solve a problem. Fencing works best during the summer molt, when geese are unable to fly and must walk between feeding and resting areas. Plastic safety fencing is a good way to provide a temporary barrier.

Scare Decoys, such as the Dead Canadian Goose, will discourage geese from nesting or feeding near a body of water. Like fencing, decoys are most effective where the problem area is small in size.

Repellents will cause geese to stop feeding on a treated area because they dislike the taste. Biodegradable deterrents (products such as ReJex-it, Goose Chase and FlightControl) cause geese to stop feeding on treated areas. The active ingredient in ReJex-it is a human-safe food flavoring derived from grapes (methyl anthranilate) and will last about 14 days per application.  FlightControl contains the feeding deterrent anthraquinone and a UV repellent to visually deter the birds.  Be sure to check your local regulations for use near ponds or wetlands.

Sound Deterrents, like other methods, need to be in place early in the season to be effective. Persistent banging on ordinary pots and pans may be sufficient in some situations. Pistol-launched pyrotechnics (such as Bird Bangers, Screamer Sirens, and other products) give off high decibel explosions or siren-like sounds as they fly toward the target. They are fired from a 15mm pistol, either single shot or double shot. These should be used to scare geese at dusk and dawn as they are moving to and from resting areas. Special firecracker shotgun shells are also available for use in a shotgun. To be most effective, the firecrackers should go off under the birds as they come in to land. (Be aware that a permit may be required for discharging firearms.) L.P. gas cannons produce loud explosions at timed intervals. They are effective in agricultural fields, but are not suitable for residential or public areas. Sound deterrents are the best option for large scale geese problems. 

Visual Deterrents, such as balloons, streamers, flags and scarecrows, may work in some instances. Large red, white or yellow 30" balloons or smaller 17" mylar balloons filled with helium and tethered on a monofilament line will scare geese. Large eyespots will increase the balloons' effectiveness. Such materials need to be alternated and moved periodically because the geese become used to them.

Remember, the best results are obtained when several control methods are used together.

Note: All Canada geese, including resident flocks, are protected by federal and state laws and regulations. However, federal and state permits are not required to harass geese with any of the above listed deterrents, as long as the geese are not harmed. Local law enforcement agencies should be contacted for ordinances on noise control, fire safety codes, and restrictions on possession and discharge of firearms.

– Adapted from IPM Solutions, produced by GEMPLER’S, Inc.

Additional Information:

• Canada Goose Branta canadensis – U.S. Geological Survey site
• Humane (Non-lethal) Control for Canada Geese – from the Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of Canada Geese

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