Garden

[EastCoastViewer]

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.

[ennui1]

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.

[Kachina624]

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

[Azcowgirl]

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

[ennui1]

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.

[ennui1]

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.

[monalisa1452]

See -

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

[Lila4Now]

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!

[Mominohio]

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?

[jlkz]

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.