Best Management Practices for Goose Control

Canada geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so any lethal management methods or trapping are not allowed without federal or state permits. Instead, the most effective way to deter geese is to make an area uninviting to them. Here are some techniques that anyone could use in an effort to deter geese from making their homes where they are not wanted.

Eliminate feeding

Wildlife in general should not be fed. As long as residents feed the geese, any goose management or removal strategy will be ineffective.

Hazing

People or trained dogs chase the geese out as soon as they land in an area.

Exclusion

A fence placed around the water body restricts movement of geese from water to upland areas, preventing nesting.

Landscaping

A buffer of natural landscaping restricts the movement of geese and minimizes their feeding.

Repellents

Naturally derived chemicals are sprayed on the grass to make it less palatable to the geese.

Scare techniques

Various devices are used to scare geese. Life-sized plastic owls, pop-up balloons with eyes and dead goose look-alikes are some techniques.

Fertilize Smart

Make sure your fertilizer is phosphorus-free. Sweep up fertilizer that spills onto hard surfaces. Soils in our area already contain enough phosphorus to maintain most lawns. Excess phosphorus washes away into nearby lakes or or streams where it feeds algae. Algae blooms stress fish and wildlife, and they make swimming and fishing unpleasant or impossible.

Grass and Leaves

Blow or rake grass clippings and leaves out of the street. Leave them on your lawn, use them for compost or bag them up. Grass clippings and leaves in the street end up in the storm sewer where they are carried to nearby lakes and streams. Clippings and leaves contain phosphorus and other nutrients that, like fertilizer, feed algae and other aquatic plants.

Use Your Runoff

Direct your downspouts onto your lawn or garden or into a rain barrel. Use rainwater to water your lawn and garden. It is free, naturally soft and perfect for keeping green things growing. Using rainwater reduces runoff that carries pollutants to lakes and streams.

Scoop the Poop

Grab a bag when you grab the leash, and pick up after your pets. When pet waste is left behind, rainwater washes it into lakes and streams. Pet waste contains bacteria that can cause illness. It also contains nutrients that can cause algae blooms in lakes and streams

Use Chemicals Wisely

Use chemical products according to label directions. Consider alternative or natural remedies to control weeds and pests. Read labels on herbicides and pesticides carefully. Use the minimum amount needed to control the problem. Find natural remedies to control weeds and pests online or at your local nursery.

Keep a Healthy Lawn

Aerate your lawn, seed bare patches and mow at a higher setting. Healthy lawns are good for the environment. A vigorous lawn needs less watering, fewer chemicals and less maintenance. Aerate your lawn periodically to loosen the soil. Seed bare patches to prevent erosion and soil loss. Mow at a higher setting. Grass mowed to a height of 2½ to 3 inches develops deeper, healthier roots and has a competitive advantage over weeds.

Plant a Rain Garden

Capture, clean and infiltrate rainwater that would otherwise run off your property Raingardens are planted depressions designed to store rainwater and allow it to soak into the soil. Learn more about rain gardens.

Replace Turf with Native Grass

Swap some of your high-maintenance lawn for low-maintenance native ground cover, plants or grasses. Many native plants develop deeper root structures than turf grass, which reduces runoff by allowing for better water infiltration. Check with your city for any landscaping ordinances. More information on designing a native garden is available at bluethumb.org.

Reduce Your Footprint

Replace some pavement – such as a walk, patio or driveway – with pavers or pervious pavement. The porous surface will allow water to seep through, reducing the amount of water that runs off into the storm sewer.

Adopt a Storm Drain

Keep neighborhood storm drains free of leaves, seeds and grass clippings. Storm drains are directly connected to the nearest body of water. Water running into storm drains carries with it anything dumped nearby including leaves, grass clippings, soil, oil, paint and chemicals. Keeping storm drains clear will protect the water quality of nearby lakes, streams and rivers. Adopt a storm drain in Plymouth.