MONTGOMERY-During the spring and summer Canada geese can become a nuisance in neighborhoods, parks, golf courses, and other similar areas. This time of year, geese become concentrated in these areas to nest, raise young, and molt. They tend to concentrate more in these open public areas because of abundant resources such as availability of water and food, and lack of predators. Nuisance issues created by Canada geese can include droppings, aggressive behavior, and landscaping damage. Geese can defecate up to 1.5 pounds per day, leaving behind a mess that may contain e-coli, salmonella, and other bacteria. Aggressive behavior towards humans and pets can occur when approaching nests or young. Damage to landscaping can occur because geese prefer to eat young tender portions of plants, new growth on flowers and shrubs, and fresh cut grass.
All Canada geese, including resident flocks, are protected by Federal and State laws and regulations, which govern the capture, handling, or killing of Canada geese, including disturbance of goose nests and eggs. Permits are required for some activities,but there are exceptions. Contact your local Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries office for detailed information.
Here are some helpful non-lethal techniques to prevent geese from becoming a nuisance in your area:
FRIGHTENING DEVICES
Human, coyote effigies
Mylar® tape, flags, and balloons
Lasers
Remote controlled boats or aircraft
Pyrotechnics
Propane cannons
Long range acoustic devices
Bio‐acoustic alarm and distress calls
Dogs
REPELLENTS
Anthraquinone
Methyl anthranilate
HABITAT MODIFICATION
Ban public feeding of geese
Grow trees to interfere with flight lines
Allow grass to grow tall; avoid fertilizing
Create vegetative or stone barriers around water
EXCLUSION
Grid wires
Fencing, non‐electric and electric
TRAPPING
Netting
OTHER METHODS
Roundups
Nest control
OvoControl®‐G
Egg addling
Alpha‐chlorolose
To better understand these deterrents please contact Wildlife and Freshwater Fishers at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
