How To Get Rid Of Geese

Getting rid of geese on your property can be challenging, as they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S., meaning lethal control is heavily restricted. For a home or business owner looking to handle the issue themselves, the focus should be on deterrence, exclusion, and habitat modification. Here’s what you can do to get rid of geese:

Habitat Modification

Geese are attracted to open grassy areas near water. Changing the landscape can make your property less appealing:

Tall or Dense Grass: Maintain grass at 6–12 inches in height. Geese prefer short grass where they can easily see predators.
Buffer Zones: Plant native shrubs, tall grasses, or reeds along water edges to prevent geese from grazing or landing.
Water Management: If you have ponds, consider installing fountains or aerators. Moving water can deter geese from settling.

Physical Barriers

Creating barriers can prevent geese from accessing lawns or water:

Fencing: Low or temporary fencing along water edges can block entry.
Netting or Wire Grids: Around smaller ponds or gardens, netting can physically keep geese out.
Decoys or Predator Models: Inflatable swans, alligators, or coyote decoys can scare geese away. These must be moved regularly to remain effective.

Visual and Noise Deterrents

Geese are wary of potential threats, so visual and auditory deterrents can work if varied frequently:

Scare Devices: Flags, reflective tape, balloons, or pinwheels can startle geese.
Noise Makers: Motion-activated alarms, propane cannons, or distress calls can discourage geese. Over time, geese may become habituated, so it’s crucial to change methods frequently.

Repellents

Taste Aversion Repellents: Certain non-toxic sprays make grass taste unpleasant to geese. Products like methyl anthranilate are safe for use on lawns and can reduce grazing.
Apply Strategically: Treat areas where geese feed or congregate; repeated applications are often necessary.

Egg and Nest Management

Egg Oiling or Replacement: If geese nest on your property, you can carefully coat eggs with a non-toxic oil to prevent hatching. Only do this if allowed under local wildlife regulations, as permits may be required.

Timing

Early Action: Geese are most active from early spring to summer. Implementing deterrents before nesting season increases success.
Persistence: Consistency is key. Geese will test barriers and may return if deterrents are sporadic.

Things to Avoid

Feeding geese—this encourages them to stay.
Attempting lethal control without proper permits.
Using chemical repellents that are toxic to pets or humans.

For a homeowner or business, the most effective DIY strategy combines habitat modification, barriers, and a variety of deterrents. Consistency and variation in methods are crucial to prevent geese from habituating.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Geese

Hiring our professional pest control team is the best way to get rid of geese because geese are large, mobile, and highly adaptive birds that require specialized, safe, and effective management strategies. Here’s why our professionals are the superior choice:

Expert Knowledge of Goose Behavior

Our professionals understand the habits, feeding patterns, and migratory behaviors of geese. Geese are highly territorial during nesting season and can be aggressive if approached incorrectly. Our professionals can:

Identify high-activity areas such as ponds, lawns, and fields.
Predict geese movement and nesting sites.
Use deterrents in a way that avoids driving geese into nearby areas or harming them.

Safe and Legal Control Methods

Geese are often protected under local wildlife laws. Improper attempts at removal can lead to fines or legal trouble. We:

Are trained in humane and legal control methods.
Know when and how to implement measures like egg addling (safely treating eggs to prevent hatching).
Ensure compliance with federal, state, or local wildlife regulations.

Effective Deterrents and Techniques

DIY methods like scarecrows or noise makers often have limited long-term effectiveness because geese quickly adapt. We combine the following approaches to get rid of geese:

Habitat modification: Reducing food sources, altering landscape, and managing water access.
Repellents: Safe chemical or natural deterrents applied strategically.
Physical barriers: Fencing, netting, or floating barriers to prevent geese from accessing key areas.
Decoys: Professionally applied to drive geese away without harm.

Time and Resource Efficiency

Geese are persistent and can return repeatedly if not removed properly. Our professionals save you:

Repeated trial-and-error efforts with ineffective methods.
Time spent monitoring and maintaining deterrents.
Costs of DIY products that may not work long-term.

Long-Term Management

The most effective goose control is ongoing, not one-time. Our professionals can:

Implement a management plan to prevent re-infestation.
Provide seasonal monitoring during nesting and migration periods.
Adjust techniques based on results and geese behavior, ensuring sustainable control.

While homeowners can try simple deterrents, geese are smart, adaptable, and sometimes protected wildlife. Our professionals combine knowledge, legal compliance, and proven methods to remove geese efficiently, safely, and permanently, avoiding the frustration and potential liability of DIY attempts.