Are you dealing with geese? Geese are lovely to watch and fun to feed in public parks and near lakes or ponds, but when they choose your property for their home, they can quickly outstay their welcome.
Today, we are going to discuss the best way to manage geese, starting with the best goose deterrent products and ending with some home remedies you can use to keep these beautiful yet destructive birds under control.
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But First, Let’s Talk About Geese
Geese fly in gaggles and often stick together in pairs when they land.
The term “geese” covers a wide range of waterfowl species belonging to the Anatidae family. However, the most prominent geese you’ll likely contend with, and the most likely geese that led you here, are going to be Canadian Geese.
The Canadian Goose in particular is one of the largest of the waterfowl species and one of the most prominent species in the United States.
Canadian geese fly large groups called gaggles, and often stick together in pairs when they land.
Although geese are some of the most popular fowl to behold by bird watchers, and while they also serve as a common food source, they can be a serious hazord to the environment, agriculture, people, and pets.
Geese are also highly destructive to property, especially when they land in large numbers. They produce a large amount of waste that can transmit parasites and lead to fish kill and water contamination.
These birds are also known to be aggressive, especially when they have young ones to protect. They will not shy away from attacking people and children, and their strong bills can lead to painful and even dangerous bites.
Outside of this behavior, geese can lead to car accidents, property damage, garden damage, yard damage, and overall distress in people whose propteries they deem fit to live in.
While geese can be frustrating and tricky to manage, the good news is that there are plenty of methods you can use to get rid of them. And this is where the best goose deterrent can come in handy.
But before we dive into the best goose deterrent, let’s first talk about what geese are attracted to and why you might have geese in your yard or on your property.
Keep reading.
The Best Goose Deterrent – Why Do I Have Geese On My Property?
Geese are attracted to freshwater sources like ponds, rivers, and lakes.
Geese are attracted to a number of environments, and they can be a year-round problem in some regions, especially if they find a property they are fond of.
Canadian geese are especially attracted to freshwater sources like ponds and lakes. They also prefer lush landscapes and well-manicured lawns. This is one of the many reasons you might find geese in public parks or golf courses.
If you have an abundance of geese on your property and are looking for the best goose deterrent, you should also consider a few other factors that are attracting them to your home.
Like most pests, geese are going to be attracted to areas that provide them with food and shelter. While some geese will land in yards and only stay temporarily, there are geese that will land and decide to call your home their home.
If this is the case, chances are you have a water source nearby, plenty of food that geese have access to, and you live in an area where goose predators are not too abundant.
What Do Geese Eat?
Geese have a good appetite for a few different varieties of food. They are primarily grazing birds and most commonly feed on shoots, roots, grains, berries, bulbs, aquatic plants, stems, leaves, grasses, and insects.
Which Water Sources Are Geese Most Attracted To?
Geese prefer fresh bodies of water like ponds, lakes, or rivers. You often won’t find them near the ocean or near smaller bodies of water like small backyard ponds or pools.
If you do have an abundance of geese on your property, chances are you live somewhere near a water source geese are attracted to.
Which Types of Predators Do Geese Try To Avoid?
Geese prefer well-landscaped areas and shorter grasses because it provides them with security. They have many natural predators including coyotes, raccoons, foxes, hawks, crows, snakes, skunks, and more.
While some of these predators will not directly attack adult geese, they can prey on their eggs and on their young.
For this reason, geese prefer open areas where they can see and environments that provide them with a quick escape should a predator approach.
Inviting predators to your property or placing decoys in your yard can be some of the best goose deterrents, as we will discuss further down. But there are also other forms of goose deterrent you can consider when considering getting rid of Canadian geese.
Let’s learn more.
How To Get Rid Of Geese Humanely – Methods And Options You Can Use
Geese can be fun to watch, but they are also known to get aggressive with people and pets.
Getting rid of geese can be tricky, though it is possible when you know which products work and which steps to take. There are plenty of methods and products you can use for goose deterrents to help you manage a goose problem on your property.
A few of the best ways to deter geese are listed below.
Install Goose Deterrent Products
Goose deterrents come in many forms including bird repellent lighthouses, ultrasonic pest repellers, predator decoys, repellent sprays, motion detection sprinklers, and more.
Remove Potential Food Sources
Potential food sources for geese could be a variety of plants and grasses, but they could also be a number of insects and aquatic animals like snails.
Some of their favorite insects to dine on include earthworms, grasshoppers, and crickets. You can help deter geese by using year-round pest control to get rid of potential prey, and we will discuss this in more detail below.
Protect Your Pond With Wire or Mesh
While smaller ponds may not be as enticing to geese, geese can be attracted to larger freshwater ponds in your yard or garden. If you’re finding yourself frustrated with geese, you might consider investing in wire or mesh to protect your ponds and keep geese at bay. If geese can’t get to your pond, they will likely leave more quickly instead of deciding to stay.
Use Home Remedies
Another form of goose deterrent includes the use of home remedies or do it yourself pest control methods. If you would prefer to try your hand at DIY goose deterrent, skip down to that section of the article.
Otherwise, keep reading. We are going to list a few of our favorite products for the best goose deterrent you can use to repel the Canadian goose.
Best Goose Deterrent Products According To Experts
Getting rid of geese takes a combination of goose deterrent products, patience, and dedication.
Because Canadian geese are the most common geese you’ll contend with when looking for the best goose deterrent, we are listing products below that are specifically designed for these types of geese. However, many of the below goose deterrent products can also work for a variety of pests including crows, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and more.
So, what are the best goose deterrent products, according to experts? Let’s find out!
Flambeau Outdoor Coyote Decoy
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Some of the best goose deterrent products are going to be predator decoys like the above Flambeau Outdoor Coyote decoy. This realistic-looking coyote decoy can help scare geese away without the use of chemicals, noise repellents, or lights.
Using a predator decoy as a goose repellent not only helps deter geese and other birds, but also smaller pests like raccoons, skunks, and rabbits. Coyote decoys like the one above can even help deter pesky deer and keep them from munching on garden flowers and trees.
The decoy is designed with heavy-duty plastic and includes threaded legs and locking lugs to hold them firmly in place. The legs also fold so that you can store the decoy easily. You are even able to pose the decoy to make it look more realistic.
Flight Control Plus Goose Deterrent
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One of the most effective forms of goose deterrent is made by Flight Control Plus. This is a commercial brand and humane deterrent that helps repel geese using a non-toxic spray application. You can order it in different amounts based on your needs including one quart or one gallon.
It works using an odorless spray that is waterproof and effective. A single quart can treat up to 10,000 to 20,000 square feet and remains on our grass until you mow or up to one month.
For the best results, experts recommend you apply this goose deterrent up to seven times a year for control.
Lulu Home 360 Animal Repeller
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Another goose deterrent we have found effective is the Lulu Home 360 Animal Repeller. This product works using solar-powered ultrasonic sounds and lights to deter geese and a number of other pests like wild animals including raccoons, coyotes, skunks, deer, rabbits, and possums.
There are two different modes you can use when using this goose deterrent, including both sound and ultrasonic mode. It can detect animals as they move, which triggers the deterrent’s bright LED light. You can also use a sound deterrent that uses horn sounds as well as ultrasonic sound waves that are harmless yet highly irritating to pests like geese.
The product is equipped with charging USB capabilities but can also be powered with solar panels.
Messina Wildlife Goose Stopper Concentrate
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If you are looking for an all-natural formula or product to serve as a goose deterrent, we recommend the Messina Wildlife Goose Stopper listed above. This product comes in a concentrated formula that is designed to be mixed with water. When applied correctly, it is effective against geese and other pests for up to 30 days.
The product is waterproof and is designed to withstand the elements. Most importantly it is made with all-natural ingredients and is safe for the environment, people and pets. Messina Wildlife Goose Stopper will not harm your lawn and will deter geese, ducks, and other pesky birds.
Once applied, this goose deterrent concentrate will need 20 minutes to set and dry before it becomes resistant to watering or the elements. Apply it during a calm day and allow it to dry thoroughly before watering your yard or garden.
For the best results, reapply this goose deterrent once every 30 days.
Liquid Fence Goose Repellent
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Liquid Fence is an effective goose deterrent that works on geese, ducks, turkey, and other large birds that could be considered a nuisance to properties and homes. You can use it to treat your yard and lawn, as well as golf courses, fields, and other large areas of turf.
The product comes in a ready-to-spray concentrate that is designed to attach directly to your garden hose for easy application. It can be effective for year-round pest control and each order can cover up to 4,000 square feet.
While this product does repel geese, it will not harm them when used as directed.
Avian Migrate Goose Repellent
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There are so many non-toxic and humane goose deterrent products to choose from, but we highly recommend the Avian Migrate Goose and Bird Deterrent. This product works by treating up to two acres and is effective against ducks, birds, wild turkey, and more. You can order it in a ⅓ gallon, one gallon, or 2.5 gallon order. The product is designed to be mixed with water before application.
When applied correctly it leaves behind no lasting odor and is safe to use around people, pets, and the environment. It is irritating to geese without being harmful, and the product even contains a dye that only birds can see.
This dye helps to deter geese and other problematic birds from coming near.
Flambeau Floating Swan
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One of our personal favorites when it comes to effective goose deterrent products is the floating swan decoy by Flambeau. This is a great goose deterrent to use if you have a private backyard pond or lake that is attractive to geese.
The product does not come assembled but it is easy to put together and only has three parts including the body, neck, and head. Two swans are included in the order and are designed to float. You can also use them on land to keep geese from coming near ponds by putting them in a resting position near the water.
If you need to anchor the swan, it comes with two anchoring steaks to keep it safely in place
Best Goose Deterrent – Products That Get Rid Of Insects That Geese Feed On
Goose deterrent products are generally safe for the environment and harmless to the goose.
Geese are not only attracted to plants and grasses, but they also feast on insects like grasshoppers, earthworms, snails, and crickets.
If you’re looking for a good way to deter geese, we suggest first getting rid of anything that might attract them to your yard or pond. Below are a few products we recommend to help get rid of the pests geese feed on.
Wondercide Outdoor Pest Control Spray
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We like Wondercide because it is an all-natural pest control product that utilizes essential oils and other plant-based ingredients to repel a variety of pests like spiders, roaches, fleas, grasshoppers, ticks, crickets, and more.
The product will not work as a goose deterrent on its own, but by getting rid of the pests geese may feed on, it can help keep geese from becoming attracted to your yard.
Insect Killer Granules
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EcoSmart Insect Killer granules are another environmentally-friendly form of pest control that can help control the insects geese feed on. This product is safe for use in yards where children and pets play and work using granules that you sprinkle around your yard.
The granules become effective once wet and help to deter a variety of pests including ticks, fleas, flies, mealybugs, crickets, ants, aphids, and more.
Each order can cover up to 5,000 square feet. For best results, the product should be applied to your yard once every two to four weeks.
Best Goose Deterrent Products – DIY Methods
There are plenty of DIY methods you can use to get rid of geese on your property.
Along with being a nuisance, geese can also be quite sensitive. They are deterred by a number of things including sounds, smells, and potential dangers.
This means that there are plenty of home remedies you can use when it comes to finding the best goose deterrent for you. This is great news, especially if you are in a bind.
Use Loud Noises
First and foremost, one of the easiest ways to deter geese is to use loud noises. This could include fog horns, banging pots and pans, playing loud music, or simply using your voice to shout at them.
While this will not permanently keep geese from coming onto your property, it can help get rid of them for the time being while you work to find a more long-term solution to the best goose deterrent products.
Make Your Own Goose Deterrent Products
Another form of DIY goose deterrent comes in the form of using bags and twine. If you have an abundance of geese in a particular area around your home, you can deter them by attaching bags to fence posts near water sources or other potential places geese are attracted to.
The wind will catch the bags and they will rustle and move, startling the geese and ensuring they stay away.
Make Your Own Peppermint Oil Goose Deterrent Spray
Like many birds, geese are sensitive to certain smells. Essential oils have long made a wonderful form of pest control for certain animals, and this is the case for geese.
There are a few different types of essential oils that can work well as a goose deterrent, but some of the best include peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil.
To make your own essential oil goose deterrent spray, simply combine 15 to 20 drops of the above essential oil of your choice into a spray bottle with two cups of water. Spray this as needed near areas where goose activity has increased.
Using essential oils as a goose deterrent is not only safe for the environment and a human way of repelling geese, but it can also help repel a number of other pests like spiders, rodents, roaches, fleas, ticks, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and more.
Consider Building A Fence Around Your Property
This DIY method for goose deterrent is most effective when you have a water source nearby. If you live in an area near a lake or public pond, consider building a fence around your home that is at least six feet tall.
Although this will not stop geese from flying into your yard from time to time, it will keep them from walking over your property line while grazing.
If you do live near water and that water is the primary attractant for geese, chances are they will not choose to land in your yard as they will prefer to land near the water anyway. This means a fence can be a very effective form of goose deterrent.
Use Plants To Keep Geese Away From Water Sources
Plants like cattails, rushes, warm-season grasses, or sedges can serve as a great goose deterrent. This is because these plants are tall, which means they can easily hide goose predators. Geese will feel uneasy around these types of plants and generally avoid them altogether.
A few other plants can serve as a goose deterrent thanks to their pungent odor. These plants include lavender or salvia plants.
The below video gives even more insight and ideas about the best DIY methods for a goose deterrent.
Preventing Geese In The Future – Top Tips From Experts
Preventing geese is important to ensuring your home and property are not damaged.
Yes, geese are fun to watch from afar, but on your property or in your backyard they can be incredibly annoying, destructive, and even dangerous. Getting rid of geese after they have become a problem can leave you with plenty of cleanup and repair work, so it is often easiest and even more cost-effective to be proactive when it comes to using the best goose deterrent.
So, how do you get rid of geese and keep them from coming back? Here are the top tips from our experts.
Consider Getting A Dog
Of course, we don’t recommend getting a pet if you are not in the market for one or prepared for the commitment caring for a pet takes, but if you are already considering adopting a new furry family member, you might consider a dog.
Dogs make wonderful natural goose deterrents thanks to the fact that they are already natural predators of geese.
With that being said, small dogs and cats may not be the best choice for goose deterrent, as these animals could become targets of geese aggression, so keep this in mind.
Use A Form Of Pest Control Year-Round
Remember, geese are attracted to areas that are not only near freshwater sources but also areas that provide them with an abundance of food. Although geese are herbivores, they can eat insects, as we discussed above.
To help keep geese at bay, it’s a good idea to use a form of pest control that will help remove insects like grasshoppers, crickets, and more.
Remove Weeds and Algae From Your Property
Just as certain insects can be an attractant to geese, so can weeds and algae. To help keep geese at bay, it’s a good idea to invest in a broad spectrum weed control system that can help eliminate weeds. We also suggest removing algae that grows in or near pond water or lakes.
Protect Your Ponds Or Lakes
Speaking of ponds and lakes, another way to deter geese is to protect your ponds or lakes. If you live on a property with a private lake or pond, consider investing in a year-round goose deterrent or putting up a fence or wire mesh to keep these pests at bay.
As we mentioned above, if geese can’t get to a freshwater source easily, they will more than likely move on from your property.
Keep Your Grass Longer Than Usual
Keeping your grass long could be counterproductive in many situations when it comes to the best form of pest control. However, when it comes to geese, keeping grasses longer around the perimeter of your home or near water sources like ponds, lakes or rivers could be a wonderful goose deterrent.
Geese are wary of longer grasses or longer types of plants like cattails because, as we mentioned, these types of vegetation provide wonderful cover for certain predators, and the very idea of this should be enough to keep geese at bay.
Avoid Feeding The Geese
Last but not least, and perhaps most obviously, if you are dealing with geese on your property it’s best not to feed them. Feeding the geese will not only encourage geese to stay longer, but it could encourage more geese to come by for a free meal.
Before you know it, you could have an entire gaggle of geese on your property that you are struggling to get rid of.
And there you have it – the best goose deterrent products as well as home remedies, and tips and tricks from experts for goose removal and repellent.
Now we want to hear from you! Have you ever used any of our above home remedies as a DIY form of goose deterrent?
Tell us in the comment section below.
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.