How to Control Geese on a Farm Pond

The Canada goose population has grown rapidly over the past 50 years.

Migrating geese can deposit unsightly and unhealthy droppings in and around farm ponds. These areas are particularly attractive to waterfowl like geese because of the open surroundings and likelihood of finding food. Employ several strategies to make your farm pond less attractive to geese, including exclusion, harassment, and chemical repellents. Combining strategies is usually most effective.

Things You'll Need

• Fencing
• Repellent
• Noisemakers
• Motion detector sprinklers
• Scare decoys
• Flags, streamers or balloons

Instructions

1. Mow the area around the pond. This removes cover and potential food sources for the geese. They will find the pond less attractive if the food source is farther away from the pond.

2. Enclose the pond. Placing a fence around the pond will make it less likely the geese will want to nest near the pond. Vegetation can also be planted at the edges of the pond to prevent the geese from leaving the pond, making them less likely to inhabit the pond.

3. Apply a chemical repellent to the surrounding turf. Chemical repellents make any potential food unpalatable and the geese will learn to avoid your pond. Repellents are mixed with water and sprayed on vegetation and terrain surrounding the pond. Repellents should be non-toxic to fish, pets and livestock. Repellents are not meant to kill geese, only deter them.

4. 

   Harassment techniques will keep geese from landing on the pond.

   Harass the geese. Harassment measures include using scare decoys (such as owls), flying balloons with streamers over the pond, firecrackers, and motion detector sprinklers. Also use an air horn or any other loud noisemaker to encourage the geese to move on.

Tips & Warnings

• Dogs can also be trained to chase geese. Trained dogs are often employed at airports and golf courses to keep nuisance waterfowl away. Most dogs chase geese naturally.

References

• Michigan DNRE: Canada Geese