The presence of geese on the property can be annoying; these animals are noisy, they leave their own excrement and on certain occasions they can prove aggressive. Although many people love to feed them, this behavior only attracts others and causes more problems. While it is legal in some countries to organize to kill excess specimens, it is obviously not a "humane" way of controlling their population. There are several ways to deal with geese that invade your property, such as preventing them from accessing food, scaring them off, and limiting their reproduction.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Changing the Habitat
Step 1. Avoid feeding them
By offering food to geese, you are attracting even more of them. If they learn that they can get something to eat from you, they will congregate on your lawn.
- Food intended for humans is not good for these birds; avoid feeding them even if you meet them in a public place, for example in a park.
- Geese are easily tamed, especially if they learn that you are their main food source.
- You should build signs to place on your property to inform other people that they should not feed the geese.
Step 2. Eliminate any potential sources of nutrition
These animals eat grass and garbage. If your lawn is made up of barn grass, consider sowing another type.
- Changing the type of lawn only works if there are no other foods available to the geese, which eat mainly short grass and legumes when there is no better.
- You can also consider treating the lawn with a chemical repellent, such as anthraquinone, which causes irritation of the digestive tract of these animals. There are several specific repellents against geese, many of which contain methyl anthranilate, a substance that gives the grass an unpleasant taste.
Step 3. Let the grass grow taller
Geese like new shoots, but if you keep your lawn at a height of 6 inches, you can get them to look for food elsewhere.
- Grow tall grass during the winter, then limit watering and fertilizer applications during the spring.
- If you have a pond on your property, allow the grass to reach 50 cm in height to prevent geese from gathering around the body of water. Let the lawn be very tall throughout the garden - it will acquire an untidy appearance, but at least the geese will be tempted to look for another place to nest.
- These birds prefer areas where they can see predators and feel safe, but tall grass does not offer this sense of protection.
Part 2 of 3: Scaring the Geese
Step 1. Use a herding dog for the geese
Border collies and other sheepdogs can be trained to drive these animals off the property; geese perceive them as predators and can convince themselves to leave once and for all.
- For this "job" you can only use dogs specifically trained by a professional.
- Do not allow the dog to catch or harm birds; if not trained properly, it could cause geese to flee into the pond, where it poses no real threat.
- If the birds are nesting or rearing young, don't scare them with the dog.
Step 2. Use pictures and callouts as temporary solutions
There are many products on the market that have the sole purpose of scaring geese, such as fake alligator heads or dead plastic geese. Eventually, the birds get used to the presence of these "dolls", but they can help you buy time as you come up with a definitive remedy.
- Dog or wolf cartons are effective in areas where geese have learned to be afraid of these predators.
- Keep the shapes in motion regularly by installing them on a revolving structure: the wind will make them move, making them "alive" in the eyes of the geese; constantly change their position in the garden to maximize the effect.
Step 3. Use loud noises
Sound devices can be effective in chasing away these birds, but only for a short time. Most of these instruments are equipped with a timer that plays an alarm call of the geese; when the animals hear it, they run away.
Just like with silhouettes, sound devices also have a limited effect over time. Birds get used to the noises rather quickly; you must therefore use these remedies in conjunction with a moving threat, such as a person or a dog
Part 3 of 3: Controlling the Development of the Flock
Step 1. Learn how to prevent eggs from hatching
A non-bloody way to avoid the growth of the flock is to not allow the development of the embryo in the eggs: they must be covered with corn oil or taken away from the nest during the first stages of hatching.
- This solution prevents the birds from taking care of the puppies that do not fly yet, consequently limiting the number of birds in an area.
- You need to know the exact technique to put this remedy into practice; you can find online courses that will guide you through the whole process.
- In some countries it is necessary to have a license or a special permit; contact your Municipality, the competent veterinary ASL or the forest ranger.
Step 2. Locate the nests
Generally, they are found near ponds or other bodies of water from which geese can keep the surrounding environment under control; try looking for them near fences or other man-made barriers.
- Geese often return to the same area where they nested the previous year; make a note of the location to facilitate searches year after year.
- These birds build oval nests with vegetation, mulch and other similar materials; the presence of feathers is a signal that could indicate a nest nearby.
- Do not approach the nest alone; it is important to do this in groups of 3-4 people, because these birds actively and aggressively defend their territory.
Step 3. Use corn oil to treat eggs
Grease those that are "young" enough (less than 14 days old) to prevent the air from passing through the shell and reaching the embryo.
- If you know that the eggs have been laid for more than 14 days, this procedure cannot be considered "not cruel".
- If the egg floats in water, it is over 14 days old and you need to put it back in its nest; do not dry it, otherwise it will damage the protective outer layer of the shell.
Step 4. Remove the eggs from the nest
Another way to avoid the birth of new birds is to remove the eggs within 14 days of hatching and throw them away, respecting sanitary regulations.
- The Region or the Municipality may have enacted specific regulations to eliminate fertilized goose eggs.
- You cannot consume wild goose ones, or sell, buy or trade them.
- Once removed from the nest, you can break the nest itself to discourage geese from reusing it.
Advice
- If you are having trouble getting rid of geese, call a professional.
- You can legally pester them a little to leave, but you can't hunt them down without a license.
