Need Help With Canadian Geese Mess

PineRidge · Mar 10, 2004

I have a never ending battle with Canadian Geese wanting to take over my pond each year. The biggest problem with these monsters is the mess that they leave behind on the grass around the pond. Then my dogs get into the mess and almost always end up sick as a result.

In the past I have always used roman candles as a way to scare them off but this involves a trip to the pond each time they decide to land. Does anyone have any experience with the floating decoys that mimic dead floating geese? I am wondering if these would be a more permanent solution to my needs. I wouldn't mind investing in a few of the decoys if I thought that they were worthwhile.

I know these birds are protected and my intent is not to harm them. There is a LOT of ponds in this area and I'm only hoping for them to find a more comfortable place to have their young.

tawilson · Mar 10, 2004

They are a nuisance for me also. I talked to the DEC last year about them, and naturally they couldn't tell me to do any harm to them. One suggestion was to find their nests and destroy the eggs, which may cause them to find safer ground. Someone suggested shaking the eggs to destroy the embryo, so that the geese will sit on the bad eggs and not try to hatch new ones. I've used 22 blanks and bottle rockets and ropes with flags and spinners and they still come back. If you could let your dogs run loose, wouldn't they keep the geese away?

shoppintractors · Mar 10, 2004

I made a barrier with string, a string fence if you will, along the shoreline, about twelve to 18" high that worked pretty good. They would try to navigate through the strings and it was enough deterent, they would go elsewhere (the neighbors /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). I have also been told they don't like to walk through tall grass. You could let the grass grow around the edge of the pond, till they move on.

Don

DAP · Mar 10, 2004

Not to sound like big brother or nuttin, but I THINK, not 100% sure, that those fowl are protected under the wildlife conservation act.

PineRidge · Mar 10, 2004

Tom if my dogs were Labs that would probably work. But mine are small house dogs and they just chase the geese to the waters edge. The geese are bold and don't even fly until I light a roman candle. My pond is surrounded on 50% of its length by woods so finding geese nests is next to impossible. I figured the best way was to deter them from ever making a nest nearby. I figure If I keep heckling them they will seek an easier place to build a nest and mate. I don't know if it's true or not but I heard these geese return each year to mate in the same area. Another good reason to deter them if it is true.

boustany · Mar 10, 2004

I am not making this up, but Canada Geese (we call them American Geese /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) are a big problem around Toronto and I heard somebody interviewed who found that you can keep them out of a pond if you put a couple of those inflatable crocodiles (you know those silly looking green pool toys) around. Presumably one one anchored in the pond and one on the grass.

The lady said that geese are afraid of aligators and avoid the area.

PineRidge · Mar 10, 2004

<font color="blue">Not to sound like big brother or nuttin, but I THINK, not 100% sure, that those fowl are protected under the wildlife conservation act.
</font>

Doug if you will see my first post you will see that I agree with you. I'm not trying to harm the geese merely trying to discourage them from nesting near my pond. I don't think there are any laws that prohibit this.

PhilNH5 · Mar 10, 2004

Pineridge,
Here is a link to a decoy gator
that is supposed to help.

Phil

Bob_Skurka · Mar 10, 2004

Canadian Geese are protected and you are not allowed to damage their eggs, nests, or the birds. However, you can discourage them from inhabiting your property.

Geese like to have a clear path to water. If you mow to your pond edge then you are creating a wonderful habitat for them and basically are inviting them onto your property and into your pond.

Allowing a band of tall, thick grass to grow around your pond is a discouraging factor. Setting up barriers like string is probably less visually offensive. If you don't care about looks, you could circle the pond with a snow fence. But barriers on your pond, natural or man made are a great option. Just don't tell your neighbors, because all the geese are going to be heading to their ponds.

PineRidge · Mar 10, 2004

Thanks to Phil and the rest who have responded to my geese questions. I already placed an order for a pond gator thanks to your link. Hope that little decoy does the trick for us.

If nothing else it will also probably discourage the neighbor kids from sneaking in the pond when I'm not around.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif