topic Re: Canadian Geese in Garden

Canadian Geese

EastCoastViewer — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 07:31:36 GMT

This is year 2 in our new home and Canadian geese have arrived and they are eating up my grass in my backyard. I honor these beautiful creatures but I want them to leave my grass alone. I did a google search and learned a moving scarecrow as a decoy will work. Does anyone have any experience with this method? Is there another method for ridding my yard of Canadian geese you would recommend?

The other recommended solution was to keep my grass long because geese prefer short grass. Well, this isn't an option because my home is by both water and woods so there is no telling what would lie within my grass if I let my grass grow long. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Re: Canadian Geese

ennui1 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 07:41:21 GMT

On 4/30/2014 EastCoastViewer said:
Well, this isn't an option because my home is by both water and woods

I asked this of someone else ... why did you move out there if you don't like wildlife?

Btw, don't confront the geese. They are very strong.

Frankly, I'm on their side.

Re: Canadian Geese

Kachina624 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 08:00:30 GMT

Do you know anyone with a border collie or Australian shepherd you could borrow? Aren't they always referred to as Canada Geese?

Re: Canadian Geese

Azcowgirl — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 08:05:33 GMT

Just because people don't want their yards and property damaged by wildlife doesn't mean they aren't lovers of wildlife, sheesh .

Re: Canadian Geese

ennui1 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 08:11:16 GMT

On 4/30/2014 kachina624 said: Do you know anyone with a border collie or Australian shepherd you could borrow? Aren't they always referred to as Canada Geese?

I had a German Shepherd who wasn't interested in the confrontation. Geese are very large, especially when they feel threatened and spread their wings.

Re: Canadian Geese

ennui1 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 08:12:37 GMT

On 4/30/2014 Azcowgirl said: Just because people don't want their yards and property damaged by wildlife doesn't mean they aren't lovers of wildlife, sheesh .

Well, SHEESH, people move out to the country and then complain about it. They rip out all the plants, cut down the trees, and find ways to eradicate the wildlife. WHY?

They're also the first people to insist that the bears/coyotes/mountain lions MUST BE KILLED. Even though they were there first.

Boo-hoo. The geese are eating the grass.

Re: Canadian Geese

monalisa1452 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 08:24:51 GMT

See -

NYS -DEC : ""When geese become a problem""

Re: Canadian Geese

Lila4Now — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 09:34:08 GMT

Try contacting you local conservation department. They may have ideas/help for you. They may even have suggestions on line. I like the geese, but understand what you're saying. Besides, their excrement can cause health problems, if you have a lot of them.

Some people here are allowed to use loud noises to scare them. Rules vary state to state. A friend tied pie tins on strings and hung them from stakes about 5 ft. tall in the yard. The wind blow the tins around. Don't know if it was the noise, or light reflecting off them, but after a week they went someplace else. It just depends how much the geese near you are use to being around people.

Do you have children, or grandchildren? If so, mention that to your conservation department. They may be more willing to help you, if you do. Geese will chase little kids, if they feel threatened.

Good luck!

Re: Canadian Geese

Mominohio — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:00:15 GMT

On 4/30/2014 ennui1 said:
On 4/30/2014 Azcowgirl said: Just because people don't want their yards and property damaged by wildlife doesn't mean they aren't lovers of wildlife, sheesh .

Well, SHEESH, people move out to the country and then complain about it. They rip out all the plants, cut down the trees, and find ways to eradicate the wildlife. WHY?

They're also the first people to insist that the bears/coyotes/mountain lions MUST BE KILLED. Even though they were there first.

Boo-hoo. The geese are eating the grass.

I live in the country as well, and that means that I have to manage the wildlife that surrounds my property, for safety reasons if nothing else. The dropping from these geese present a health hazard if you have pets or children as well.

I suppose that, based on your views, you'd welcome the mice, snakes and other 'wild life' that shows up and tries to enter your home and buildings, because they are wildlife.

No where did I see OP state that she would be eradicating anything, just looking for a solution to keep them somewhat at bay. Wildlife management and wildlife eradication are two completely different things. Bit of an overreaction on your part, isn't it?

Re: Canadian Geese

jlkz — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 19:59:36 GMT

The swimming pool in our condo association has strung clear fishing line above the whole pool area in a net like effect. It's high enough for a very tall person to comfortably walk around. A number of golf courses back here in PA have used the same technique over their ponds. It is very effective at keeping geese from landing on the pond's surface. HTH.

Re: Canadian Geese

dkh — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 20:49:25 GMT

our golf course uses a dog to chase them away.

Re: Canadian Geese

Helping — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 20:53:14 GMT

Yes, they are called Canada geese, not Canadian.

Re: Canadian Geese

BLH — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 21:35:04 GMT

They are not native to Canada. They are not called a Canadian goose. They are called a Canada goose. They are native to U.S.

Re: Canadian Geese

EastCoastViewer — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:02:35 GMT

Thanks for all the suggestions, corrections and critiques. My weapon of choice is noise a steady application of noise until the CANADA geese relocate. Thanks alll.

Re: Canadian Geese

curlywhitedog — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:16:54 GMT

There's a nesting mama Canadian Geese not more than few feet from the front door of the building where hubby works and believe me, they are NOT happy when someone has to enter or exit the building. Hubby says he has to give them a wide berth to avoid their anger, says the daddy birds flaps his wings and honks at him, but it's because the mama is nesting and her babies are in a nest she built into a large planter next to the front door. Hubby's office overlooks the front part of the building and he says that those geese spend the day harassing everyone who comes in or goes out but it's all part of the maternal/paternal instinct that even birds possess. Soon enough the babies will be gone and everything will return to normal but in the meantime, it is what it is for the employees who respect what the mamma and daddy are doing to protect their nest.

Maria

Re: Canadian Geese

Perkup — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:28:49 GMT

Although there's an obvious size difference, the Mockingbirds here are much the same. They nest near doorways in shrubbery and tall bushes, and they will bomb and attack viciously if anyone comes near their nest.

DH's grandson has a law office near one of their nests, and everyone there is fighting off the mockingbirds constantly. He got pecked on his extremely bald head last week, and it's very slow to heal up!

For the first time I can remember, we have had fly overs of Canada Geese several times a week - obviously headed North again. And a couple of buildings with fountains and small ponds in front are having a real problem with them. They came in the fall and are still here, pooping like crazy and chasing people away who used to sit by the ponds on benches at lunch break. They are brave guys those geese! And interesting, though troublesome.

Re: Canadian Geese

terrier3 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:31:54 GMT

I live a mile from our downtown center...and geese has moved on to lawns on a busy street around the corner from me.

They are as big as my dog! And they aren't afraid of anything or anybody.

You have got to get them BEFORE they nest...or they will get aggressive!

Re: Canadian Geese

goodstuff — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:48:35 GMT

I think a good-sized dog or two might be your best bet. Good luck discouraging the geese otherwise. We have several flocks of them in our area. They like to return to the same lakes, ponds, and feeding areas over and over. Yes, they eat the grass and p**p like rottweilers, too, and they travel in big flocks! Quite messy.

Re: Canadian Geese

Tyak — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 22:58:26 GMT

On 4/30/2014 ennui1 said:
On 4/30/2014 EastCoastViewer said:
Well, this isn't an option because my home is by both water and woods

I asked this of someone else ... why did you move out there if you don't like wildlife?

Btw, don't confront the geese. They are very strong.

Frankly, I'm on their side.

I live in a large city and we have these geese here and they're pretty birds but man, they leave a lot of poop after them. They're almost as bad as pigeons which we refer to as flying rats.