As the days get colder, geese will begin their migration south. Unfortunately for New York and New Jersey residents, it may mean more geese around our homes. Geese can stay in an area for a few days or weeks between flights. Even worse, some flocks may not travel much further south than NYC, meaning you may have to deal with them for the winter. This article will discuss how a flock of geese can be problematic to your property, and how you can discourage them from sticking around.
Geese & Noise Pollution
Geese are known for their loud and obnoxious honking. Quite often, a flock can be an absolute nuisance. They honk to communicate with their flock and to signal to each other. Generally, they can be territorial and honk at people and animals that get too close. However, some flocks are very accustomed to humans. In these cases, they may honk because they think humans provide food.
Do Not Feed Geese
Some people will give bread or seeds to goose flocks. It would be best if you never fed any wild animals. Bread is also not healthy for birds. But, feeding wild animals encourages them to return for more food. Additionally, it may affect their ability to hunt or gather food for themselves in the long term. Furthermore, geese can become aggressive if you stop feeding them.
Goose Aggression and Attacks
Geese are incredibly protective of their flock. Male geese are known to get violent if they or members of the flock feel threatened. If you notice a goose become aggressive toward you, back away slowly. Please do not turn your back on it, as it will likely move to attack. Rather, stay calm, and don’t yell. Otherwise, it can be seen as a sign of aggression.
Goose Droppings
Goose droppings can be a problem for many property owners. First, in colder weather, the droppings are less likely to decompose. Because of this, you are more likely to have the feces stick around on your lawn. Additionally, their droppings can pose health hazards. Their fecal matter usually contains the parasites cryptosporidium, giardia, coliform, and campylobacter. These can make humans and pets very sick.
Discouraging Geese
You can discourage geese away from your property in a variety of ways. First, limit food and water sources on your property. Do not leave food or water bowls for your pets unattended outside. If you have a pond on your property, cover it with strong mesh netting that is secure. This will prevent the geese from accessing it for water, fish, or underwater vegetation. Goose populations may flee from frequent loud noise. An air horn is a good way to chase them off, but will generally upset neighbors. Lastly, a dog silhouette stand is a popular deterrent for geese. Be sure to move it around the property to a different spot every few days to ensure it is seen as an effective threat. If you continue to have problems with geese on your property, contact a humane wildlife removal specialist for assistance.