Methods to Persuade Geese to Leave?

[NateW]

At the house we moved into about 3 months ago we have a Canadian geese problem in our back yard that borders a small pond. Up until three weeks ago the problem was minor, with only a few geese in our yard. We now have 50 -100 of them during the daytime and they make a big mess in the yard. Their noise I can handle, it's their excrement that is the problem, especially when mowing. It gets stuck in the mower tire treads and is disgusting.

Can anyone suggest methods to motivate the geese to go somewhere else? It does appear they like the shade in our yard, which is where the majority of them hang out on hot sunny days. I just hope they are not permanent residents (non-migratory), wich appears to be what many are, according to what I have read.

The only deterrent I have tried so far is I fire up the gas-powered leaf blower and walk out to the geese. They waddle to the pond and stay there and are back within half an hour to an hour. Yesterday I discovered they also detest the riding mower. Its an electric Ryobi, so its dead silent without the blades engaged and moves pretty fast for a rider, faster than the geese can run, so they took to the air when I rode up on them. But they were back not long after I finished mowing.
Thanks,

 

[JRon]

The best solution and only one I’ve heard of is a dog.

 

[stephenson]

They are horrid creatures.

Dogs are the only known residential method.

 

[Chuckanut]

I hate to say it but other than getting a dog that likes to chase geese, the best thing I have seen is to let your grass grow rather long. Geese don't seem to like grass that is 4-6 inches high.

Have you considered getting a hunting license?

 

[street]

Ronstar a member here had an issue with them also. I'm sure he will see the thread and have some expert advise for what he did.

 

[Music Lover]

Geese like a clear path to water as it gives them a feeling of safety. A short fence in front of the water might deter enough that they'll move to a different location.

 

[MRG]

Get geese from a pond?

About the only way:
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/hunter-his-dog-goose-hunting-173592221

 

[4legsgood]

I think they don't like to hang out near places where they can't scope out predators. Maybe put some line of sight obscuring lawn chairs down there and see if that keeps them away. If that works, you could plant evergreen bushy things, if you prefer, to achieve the same effect. Those methods have worked at my lake cabin.

 

[Bamaman]

Make sure no food is available for ducks to eat.

Check Bugspray.com for ways to get rid.of Geese. They sell an auditory machine geese don't like to hear. They also have a whirl a gig thing that geese don't like.

 

[friar1610]

The best solution and only one I’ve heard of is a dog.

Preferably a Border Collie.

 

[Aerides]

maybe ask your neighbors as they probably know the patterns of the geese, which might be making a pit stop or just hang out at your spot for the winter.

Either way, I'd learn to live with it, maybe not mow the area they hang out in. They might have been coming to that spot for years, it's their home too?

 

[sengsational]

Who ya gonna call? Goose Busters! The come out with a border collie that takes whistle commands and an R/C boat. They keep coming back, though.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

The golf courses in our area use border collies. Other herding dogs might get the job done as well, although you don't want to go too small. Geese can get pretty ornery, especially if they've lived in urban environs and have lost fear of people.

Farmers use propane cannons to scare off wildlife, but they probably don't have neighbors close by. https://gemplers.com/products/m8-multiple-detonation-cannon-cannon-only?currency=USD&variant=21170467340377&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_content=https://gemplers.com/products/m8-multiple-detonation-cannon-cannon-only%3Fcurrency%3DUSD%26variant%3D21170467340377%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_campaign%3DGoogle%2520Shopping&utm_term=shopify_US_2042945896537_21170467340377&gclid=CjwKCAjwqeWKBhBFEiwABo_XBmwyMmo0vlZBu7MDTAOBwfAJreZr6wAmSsx4pvqGrYYkpwNYA2VB_BoCxLQQAvD_BwE
We see thousands of geese pass through in spring and fall as we live along a seasonal floodplain on a major Midwestern flyway. But they're on their way to somewhere else, and after they rest up they move on. But a lot of urbanized Canada geese have settled into parks and golf courses in nearby cities permanently and have stopped migrating. They're a real nuisance. Do you know if the geese in your pond are just passing through or setting up housekeeping?

 

[Jerry1]

I understand that they’re not good eating so that sucks for the hunting aspect. They’re basically vermin. One golf course around here doesn’t have any geese, but hey maintain that they’re just lucky. Me thinks some dogs or special deterrents must be in place.

I can tell you one thing, they’re pretty tough. My buddy hit one square in the neck with a golf ball - an honest accident. And that thing shook it off. Stunned it for a bit, but he walked off after a few minutes. I thought we were going to have to put it down to be humane. Not sure how we were going to do that, so we were glad it didn’t come to that.

 

[NateW]

Thank you all for your replies. I like the fence idea. I want a fence anyway so I can vegetable garden. DW talked about getting a dog and the previous owners had a dog and their electronic dog fence conveyed when we bought the house.

Oddly, about half an hour ago all the geese left in a huge ruckus that would wake the dead. Before, they would leave every evening at dusk and return at 9:30 am as one big group. I am hoping they don't return, but I would not be surprised if they do.

 

[Car-Guy]

We often get ducks and/or geese in one of our ponds on the property.... They don't really bother us but if I let my Labrador Retrieve loose, he'll run them off... If they "waddle" to the water he'll follow them in and then away they go... Fun to watch...

If I didn't have a dog and wanted them to leave, I'd just fire a couple of 12ga shots in the air and they'd be gone. That may not be an option where you are. But it's SOP around here for any animals we want to move along.

 

[brett]

Not just any dog....one that likes the water! A lab, a border collie, retriever, etc.

A little runt of a lap dog that is scared of it's own shadow or the water will not do the job for you.

 

[Sunset]

Thank you all for your replies. I like the fence idea. I want a fence anyway so I can vegetable garden. DW talked about getting a dog and the previous owners had a dog and their electronic dog fence conveyed when we bought the house.

.....

Now you know why you didn't see the geese when you bought the property

 

[Car-Guy]

Not just any dog....one that likes the water! A lab, a border collie, retriever, etc.

A little runt of a lap dog that is scared of it's own shadow or the water will not do the job for you.

True.... A poodle might not work so well.... My lab would be in the pond everyday (winter and summer) if I'd let him. I've seen him jump in when it's been covered over in ice. Loves it...

 

[MichaelB]

I understand that they’re not good eating so that sucks for the hunting aspect. They’re basically vermin.

I’ve had goose and enjoyed it. Need a big oven and some cooking skills, but anyone who can cook a large turkey could give it a go.

Swans will also keep the geese away.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

True.... A poodle might not work so well.... My lab would be in the pond everyday (winter and summer) if I'd let him. I've seen him jump in when it's been covered over in ice. Loves it...

A standard poodle is a hunting dog at heart. And, it's a water dog -- that-s why the coat is curly, to shed water.

 

[Car-Guy]

A standard poodle is a hunting dog at heart. And, it's a water dog -- that-s why the coat is curly, to shed water.

They are also consider by many (not me) to be among the smartest dogs too. I guess I've never been around a "standard" poodle so I'll just take your word on that.

 

[Walt34]

I can't remember if it was Ronstar or someone else, but one solution mentioned here was to string plain fence wire (not electrified, although that might help) about 8 or 12 inches above ground. That's too high for them to step over easily and too low to duck under. That would make it difficult to mow though.

 

[Cobra9777]

We have a 10-acre pond in the back that we share with 8 other houses. We have tons of geese, ducks, herons, etc. We enjoy watching them, especially all the new types when they are migrating.

Some of the geese stay all year, but most are migratory. They avoid our yard most of the time because we have a border collie, whose biggest thrill in life is chasing off a big group of 75-100 geese. He proudly paces up and down the shoreline as they squawk and flap their wings at him. It can be pretty hilarious.

But when he's inside, they will come back into the yard and hang out for a while. We don't really mind. I've never noticed any problem with the excrement. But again, they don't hang out very often in our yard because they know it's only a matter of time before the beast goes out for a pee.

 

[Gumby]

....

Swans will also keep the geese away.

Swans are evil beasts, and surprisingly large. They used to climb on the back of our submarine while we were in port in Groton. and you could not make them leave. I would pity the dog that tried to take one on.