Migrate geese out of your yard, now

November 02, 2008|By Brian McDonald, TRIBUNE NEWSPAPERS: Newport News Daily Press

Undoubtedly many people face challenges encouraging gaggles of Canada geese to rest, eat, poop and socialize elsewhere; cuteness aside, the geese are destructive in large numbers. Here are some helpful tips to get them out of your yard.

1. Don't let anybody feed them. Feeding the geese is irresponsible anyway, as it encourages wild animals to develop dependent habits.

2. If you'd like to own an active dog, consider a herding dog like a border collie. As long as a dog only chases and harasses the geese, this option requires no permit.

3. Alternately, how about a decoy dog or coyote to keep in your yard? Decoys are a surprisingly effective deterrent. Canine decoys aren't the only option, either -- maybe dead goose decoys are just what you need. A dead goose is a natural warning to other geese that the land is unsafe. As a bonus, you can place these decoys on either land or water.

(The downside is that you've decorated your yard with goose carcasses.)

4. Planting shrubs and bushes around your yard can transform a goose haven into a place of discomfort for them. Canada geese are drawn to wide open areas where nothing obscures visibility.

5. As long as you (and your neighbors) don't mind the occasional squawking, amplify some bird distress recordings across your property to scare away the geese.

Naturally occurring, non-toxic chemical agents on feeding grounds might also do the trick. But do your research to make sure the chemical is non-toxic to pets and wildlife.