Geese can be a nuisance when they invade yards, parks, golf courses, and other recreational areas. Their droppings are unsightly and can spread diseases. Geese aren’t afraid of humans and can become aggressive during breeding season. Finding ways to scare geese away humanely is important for maintaining sanitary outdoor spaces.
Why are geese a problem?
Geese aren’t migratory birds, so they stick around parks, ponds, and grassy areas year-round. Their populations have exploded in urban and suburban areas where they have access to grass and water but no natural predators. Problems caused by too many geese include:
- Droppings – Each goose can produce over 1 pound of droppings per day. This feces is messy, smelly, and harbors bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
- Water quality – Goose feces contains nutrients that pollute waterways. Their waste feeds algae growth that kills fish and makes water unsafe for swimming.
- Diseases – Geese spread over 30 infectious diseases through their excrement. These include Avian Cholera, Avian Influenza, Cryptosporidiosis, and Giardia.
- Aggression – Geese become very protective of nests and goslings. They may hiss, chase, or attack during breeding season.
- Crop damage – Large flocks grazing in agricultural fields can damage crops and diminish yields.
Reducing goose populations through humane hazing measures helps keep public areas cleaner and safer for human recreation.
Do geese get used to noise deterrents?
Geese are intelligent, social creatures. They can become accustomed to regular sounds meant to scare them away. Using the same noises or techniques continuously gives geese the chance to realize the sounds won’t actually harm them. Varying noises and hazing strategies prevents geese from tuning them out.
Some key factors that help prevent geese from habituating include:
- Randomness – Use deterrents intermittently at random intervals, not on a fixed schedule.
- Variation – Alternate different sounds, tools, and techniques so geese don’t get bored.
- Persistence – Commit to scaring geese away consistently during nesting and molting seasons.
- Human involvement – Your presence helps reinforce deterrents. Don’t just set up devices and leave them.
Avoid letting geese get comfortable in an area by being unpredictable and employing diverse harassment tactics. Consistency is key to outsmarting geese long-term.
What noises deter geese?
Certain sounds grab geese’s attention and trigger their instincts to flee from perceived threats. Noises that work well for scaring geese include:
Predator sounds
Geese are prey animals, so noises that mimic predators provoke fear:
- Dogs barking
- Coyotes howling
- Goose distress calls
- Hawk and eagle cries
Devices that play predator noises randomly from hidden speakers can startle geese from resting spots. Just be sure to not overuse the same sounds.
Sonic deterrents
High-pitched, loud, and sudden sounds cause discomfort and confusion:
- Motion-activated sprinklers
- Banging pots and pans
- Whistles, air horns, and sirens
- Cracker shells and screamer rockets
Combining these annoying sounds with chasing and waving makes for more effective goose hazing.
Engine noise
The roar of gas-powered machines frightens geese off of grass:
- Leaf blowers
- Lawn mowers
- Weed trimmers
- Gasoline-powered remote control boats
Use these to clear geese from yards, parks, and ponds. Just don’t purposely run down birds with machines.
Natural goose repellents
Chemical repellents are controversial, so natural scents and irritants can be smart alternatives:
Essential oils
Strong herbal smells deter geese from grazing. Use 100% pure oils like:
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Garlic
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
- Thyme
Spray or diffuse these oils around areas you want to protect. Reapply after rain.
Methyl anthranilate
This grape extract mimic’s the scent of goose alarm pheromones. It confuses geese and interrupts their feeding. Look for bird repellent products containing 20-30% methyl anthranilate.
Cayenne pepper
Sprinkling cayenne pepper granules or liquid solutions irritates geese’s mucus membranes. Reapply residual-free cayenne pepper after rain or irrigation. Don’t contaminate waterways.
Vegetation
Prickly, spiky, or unpalatable plants help block geese:
- Cactus
- Rose bushes
- Yucca
- Lavender
Avoid planting grass species geese love to eat like Ryegrass or Bluegrass. Substitute fescues or native ground cover instead.
Physical goose deterrents
Visual barriers and materials that cause discomfort can discourage goose activity:
Reflective tape
Mylar flash tape strung along fences or staked in grass flashes ominously in the breeze. Holographic tape also works. Hang it low where geese walk and feed.
Scare-eye balloons
GooseWatchTM Scare-Eye Balloons have menacing predator eyes to unsettle geese. Place balloons near nests, ponds, and walking paths.
Flags and streamers
Tall wire flags waving in wind look ominous. GooseBusters® sells 9 foot poles with scary faces and fluttering ribbons to place around ponds.
Water jets
Motion-activated sprinklers like the ScareCrow Gentle Giant® shoot short bursts of water to startle geese off of lawns. Use along shores and walking paths.
Grid wire
Rolls of black plastic bird-exclusion netting or galvanized wire fencing laid on grass hinders goose movement and ground access.
Scaring geese by hand
Actively chasing geese away boosts the effectiveness of deterrents. Wave arms wildly while advancing towards birds aggressively while yelling and blowing whistles. Here are some tools that help drive geese away:
- Air horns
- Dogs on leashes
- Garden hoses
- Laser pointers
- Mylar tape streamers
- Noise shakers
- Squirt guns
- Trash can lids
Be persistent and vary your approach. It takes commitment to reclaim areas from territorial geese. Enlist volunteers for coordinated hazing events.
Remove attractions
Ultimately, geese flock to areas that meet their needs for shelter, food, and water. Eliminating attractions is key for permanent goose abatement:
- Alter landscaping to block sight lines to water.
- Drain or harvest rainwater ponds.
- Allow shore vegetation to grow tall.
- Stop feeding birds.
- Use turf types geese don’t prefer.
- Install riparian buffer plantings by water.
This forces geese to find alternative habitats. Reduce nesting spots by oiling eggs or obtaining permits remove eggs/birds. Check local regulations first.
Conclusion
With persistence and creativity, there are many humane ways to scare geese away from yards, parks, golf courses, and ponds on an ongoing basis. Any combination of alarming sounds, flashing sights, unpleasant smells, spicy tastes, physical discomfort, active hazing, and modifying landscapes can help get rid of nuisance geese. Vary and combine multiple organic goose deterrents for best results. Just be patient, as outwitting intelligent geese takes time.
