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Controlling Geese
Increasingly over the past two decades, non-migratory
Canada Geese have become major nuisances
with their droppings (about a pound a day
per bird, on average), honking, blocking
traffic, and aggressiveness towards people.
Goose control has become a growth industry,
with an expanding variety of non-lethal tactics
being employed. Among these are:
- Border collies or other dogs that will chase
the geese away.
- Lawn treatments that make grass unpalatable
or inedible.
- Lawn treatments that absorb UV light and
make the grass appear unpalatable to geese
(the grass will look the same to humans).
- Various types of fences and barriers, some
of them retractable and easily removable.
Non-migratory geese prefer to walk, and avoid
flying at all costs. Moreover, during periods
when they molt feathers, they are unable
to fly.
- “Sonic repellers” that scare geese away by
playing recordings of their alarm calls.
- “Ultrasonic repellers” that play sounds beyond
the perception of human hearing, but which
are irritating to geese and/or other birds.
- Stationary models of predators (such as alligators,
foxes, or owls) that you place in strategic
spots on the perimeter of your property.
Unfortunately, many species of birds, including
geese, have learned to ignore these modern-day
scarecrows.
When selecting a goose control
method or
specialist, look for guarantees
of effectiveness,
and pay close attention to the
fine print
regarding disclaimers.
Several of the general strategies used against
geese are also employed against other nuisance
birds, such as making their food distasteful
(but not poisoned), scaring them off with
sounds, or preventing them from roosting.
The specific products tend to vary depending
on the type of birds that you are trying
to deter. |
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