| Goose
Identification
Canada Geese are generally the cause of goose problem complaints
as their numbers have been on the increase over the last
decade thanks to their protected status by both Federal
and State agencies. There are around a dozen subspecies
of Canada geese, all with long black necks and heads with
large white cheek patches meeting under their throats. Their
body feathering is generally a gray-brown with a slightly
darker breast and underparts. The tail feathered are generally
white underneath. Canada geese range in size from 22 to
48 inches long and weigh anywhere from 3-4 pounds up to
24 pounds. Our corporate lawns/fountains and country clubs
are prime target areas for Canada geese to graze and nest.
These migratory birds are more recently staying put, finding
there is no more need to leave their "easy living"
urban environments of campus like business parks and golf
courses for more southernly green pastures. They prefer
to nest in areas near water with protective vegetation cover.
These highly aggressive birds will chase animals and people
was from their nesting areas, sometimes resulting in injury
to the intruders.
Damage Caused by Canada Geese
Goose problems range from damage to agricultural crops through
both consumation and trampling. Golf courses and lawns suffer
aesthetically from the aggressive and destructive presence
of geese. The large bird droppings from Canada geese foul
reserviors and ponds, in addition to making a mess on green
belts. Airport safety is jeopardized as many airport bird
strike collisions result from geese roosting in open areas
near airports.
Canada Goose Control
Non-migratory Canada geese are difficult to move. Immediate corrective landscaping is a must: remove cover shrubbery, use herbicides to eliminate vegetation in the pond, and reduce fertilizer to make the grass less nutritious. Taste repellents should also be applied if geese have inhabited the area for any length of time so the food source will be less desirable to the geese.
In addition to corrective landscaping, audio /visual bird
scare devices should be used in combination as soon as geese
move into an area to create a perception of predators in
the vicinity. The location and type of the audio / visual
devices MUST VARY frequently,
so the geese perceive the threat as real. A combination
of sophisticated noisemakers like the BirdGard
Pro, Bird
Squawker (for larger areas), Zon
Gun propane canon and the BirdBlaster
sound unit with visual products like bird
scare eye balloons, bird
scare flags and flash
bird scare tape creates a menacing, predatory
feel to the area driving the problem geese from the vicinity.
These can also be combined with agony-posture
decoys (move frequently) to convince the geese
the predator has made fresh kills.
Physical barriers can be erected to deter geese from entering
an area. Overhead wire grids can be installed above water
surface to prevent geese from landing. Fencing made from
heavy duty bird
wire installed approximately 1 foot, 2 foot
and 3 foot from the ground can provide a discreet barrier
to dissuade problem geese from entering. Wide mesh bird
netting (4 inch mesh) with reflective mylar
flash tape hanging from it can also be used above and around
ponds or grassy areas to get rid of geese. |
