Geese may look good from a distance, but they can create a nuisance in your yard. They leave droppings in the well-maintained garden and ruin the beautiful landscaping. Hence, it's important to keep them away. The first step is to understand the reason for their presence in your yard. They may get attracted to your garden due to open water source, food source, short grasses, as well as flat open space. The second step is to look for a solution. Homeowners use several methods to keep them at bay, but the best ones are the homemade goose repellents. This is because they are safe and can be very effective if used properly.
What Are the Different Homemade Goose Repellents?
Though there are multiple ideas to keep them at bay, including products available in the market, however, nothing can beat the natural and homemade repellent.
DIY Goose Repellant
This method is one of the best and has proven to be effective against the regular goose attack. Geese usually invade during spring and ruin your garden. So, you can make a mixture of -
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2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper
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2 tablespoons of tabasco sauce
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2 tablespoons of chilli powder
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1 tablespoon of dish soap
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1 quart of warm water
Pour the mixture into a 20-gallon hose-end sprayer and spray generously in the area where geese are seen.
Natural Homemade Repellent
Garlic and cinnamon are known to be effective deterrents for geese because they don't like the smell of either garlic or cinnamon. Spray the mixture around the lawn without damaging the grass or plants.
What Are Other Ways to Keep Geese Away From Your Yard?
Here are some of the effective ways, apart from homemade repellent, to scare and keep geese from coming back and invading your yard.
Fencing and Netting
Using fencing and netting is also a great and effective way to keep geese away. Consider installing a low fence, around 2-3 feet high, which prevents the geese from walking into your yard. They love open spaces for landing and taking off, and having wire fences all around will discourage them from landing.
You can use mesh or wire fencing, and curl it outward to create an obstacle for the geese. They find crossing the fence quite difficult.
Landscaping
You can consider landscaping as another way to deter geese, in addition to fencing. Planting tall grasses and shrubs along the perimeter of the property's boundaries or near water sources can block geese's visibility and make it harder for them to land. Using plants like switchgrass or native shrubs serves as a visual deterrent and also adds natural beauty to your garden.
Use Decoys
Decoys can also be effective in deterring geese. Place predator decoys, like coyotes or alligators, in spots where you often spot geese. To maintain the effectiveness of this method, consider relocating the decoys regularly to mimic real predators. Additionally, motion-activated sprinklers can also help scare away geese by creating sudden movement and noise.
Prevent Them From Nesting
If you see geese nesting in your lawn, place large, heavy objects there, such as a decorative rock or garden gnomes. These are heavy, and geese cannot move them. However, even after placing the rock, you see them coming back, using an easy DIY method. Grab an empty detergent bottle, fill rocks it and tie a rope around it. Shake the bottle while walking towards the geese, which will scare them. Make sure you don't hit the geese.
How to Keep Geese Away From the Pond?
If you have a pond, it might become a bit challenging to get rid of geese. However, here are some ways you can incorporate -
Grid Your Pond
If your pond is relatively small, consider covering it with a wire grid. Stretch wire across the surface in a 12-inch checkerboard pattern, positioned about 8 inches above the water. This setup makes it difficult for geese to land or move around in the water, while still allowing mallard ducks to access the pond with difficulty.
Clean the Surroundings
It is advised to consistently clean the pond and its surroundings to get rid of any potential food sources that may draw them in. If there's no food near or around the pond, they are less likely to return. Also, consider planting tall shrubs, grasses, or aquatic plants along the pond. This makes the area less attractive for them to walk around and also blocks them from entering the water.
Manage Water Level
Geese are drawn to calm, shallow water, so modify your pond and include a deeper section or install fountains and aerators to keep the water in motion. This makes the pond less appealing to them and also enhances the water quality, while beautifying the area. In addition, consider adding deep banks or barriers around the edge of the pond to make it difficult for them to walk in.
How Often Should You Scare Them?
You have to be consistent to scare geese away from your home, business, or property. It undoubtedly requires a lot of effort. Even after successfully removing resident geese, new ones may return if scare tactics aren't maintained and changed regularly.
To ensure the repelling methods are effectively and consistently used, you should consider calling a professional. They ensure your property stays safe from goose invasion.
