Dissuading Canadian geese

Mar 21st, 2022 9:52 pm

#1

Jayhoo [OP]: Deal Addict; May 22, 2005; 3161 posts; 711 upvotes

Mar 21st, 2022 9:52 pm

There's a pair that keep coming back to my tiny yard and leaving it covered in their poop. I've tried using a leaf blower (noise) to scare them off, throwing ice cubes in their immediate vicinity, but they don't seem to care and just slowly saunter away until I leave then they come back.

I've read that Methyl Anthranilate irritates them, and it's food safe, but the reviews of products using this chemical are spotty and the stuff is pricey. Not looking to hurt them, just dissuade them from making my back yard their annual toilet/nesting grounds. Anyone have any successful experience shooing Canadian geese away?

Mar 21st, 2022 10:00 pm

#2

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 19933 posts; 23513 upvotes; GTA

Mar 21st, 2022 10:00 pm

Dogs?
Motion activated sprinkler?

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Mar 21st, 2022 10:22 pm

#3

Cheapo-Findo: Deal Expert; Mar 9, 2007; 15179 posts; 12084 upvotes; Think of the Childre…

Mar 21st, 2022 10:22 pm

Ah just let them be. You're lucky they want to hang out in your yard. Poop will disappear eventually.

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Mar 21st, 2022 10:25 pm

#4

Kiraly: Deal Expert; Jan 9, 2011; 16368 posts; 22503 upvotes; Vancouver

Mar 21st, 2022 10:25 pm

Move.

He/him
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Mar 21st, 2022 10:32 pm

#5

gr8dlr: Deal Expert; Sep 1, 2005; 18979 posts; 13822 upvotes; Markham

Mar 21st, 2022 10:32 pm

I once rented a cottage and had a bunch of them land on the lawn. Googled on deterrent and tried balloons on a string...something about them not liking movement around them or above their heads.

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Mar 22nd, 2022 7:23 am

#6

rcmpvet: Deal Addict; Oct 13, 2014; 2739 posts; 2015 upvotes; Just Moved To Somewh…

Mar 22nd, 2022 7:23 am

I would just leave them be. Unless you are near a body of water they will not be nesting in your yard. Additionally C.G. always return to the same nesting sites every year. They are also doing your yard some good for that short time in that they will feed on the first crops of greens in your yard which most likely are weeds.

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Mar 22nd, 2022 7:25 am

#7

The_Professor: Deal Addict; Jan 14, 2007; 4765 posts; 2036 upvotes; GTA

Mar 22nd, 2022 7:25 am

If they keep coming back is it possible they have a nest there? Typically though if that were the case they'd get very aggressive trying to protect it and one would always be there.

A colleague of mine accidentally walked right past a nest with a goose there and it literally attacked her as it perceived her as a threat.

They can be quite annoying with their squaking though.

+1

Mar 22nd, 2022 8:02 am

#8

civi19: Newbie; Sep 10, 2015; 33 posts; 5 upvotes; Sudbury, ON

Mar 22nd, 2022 8:02 am

In my youth we had rented a family cottage and also had them on the lawn. I remember my aunt sprinkling the grass with red chili flakes and that did the trick in a hurry.

Mar 22nd, 2022 9:09 am

#9

Jayhoo [OP]: Deal Addict; May 22, 2005; 3161 posts; 711 upvotes

Mar 22nd, 2022 9:09 am

Thanks for the suggestions, i'll look into them!

We're in a new construction area and the house/yard behind us isn't finished, so there's a mud pit and impromptu mini-pond of water there. I'm guessing they like the scenery. I don't think they are nesting yet as they seem to leave before nightfall, but come back and hang around for the day. The yard is only 10-15ft deep (yay new subdivisions), so there's really no place for them to hide a nest on the property.