Canada geese are not native to Indiana, but have adapted to Hoosier habitat. (C) Gimmestock.com
The Hoosier Gardener talks about protecting property from Canada geese on the morning news, June 2 on Indianapolis’ Fox 59. These birds can be found at apartment complexes, condominium developments, residential subdivisions, office parks, golf course and other places that are near water.
Dangers:
Geese droppings — dangerous because they are slick and can cause people to slip and fall; just plain yucky….an adult Canada goose can deposit up to three pounds of droppings a day. Nesting geese or geese with fledglings can be very aggressive and attack humans and pets.
Today’s suburban residential, commercial and recreational landscapes, with their big expanses of green lawn, are like landing strips for these birds. Also, lakes and retention ponds with no plants on the shores allow the geese to go from water to land and vice versa.
Controls include:
• Not mowing the lawn…planting prairie type gardens rather than grassy plots in office parks, apartment and condo grounds and around lakefronts.
• Adding trees, shrubs, grasses and other plants as islands to break up the expanse of lawn.
• Adding plants around the shores of lakes and retention ponds.
• Geese repellents. Sprays or powder, minuses include need to reapply after rain or it can smell bad.
• Hire a company with dogs who will chase the birds away several times to discourage the geese. This deterrent lasts for several weeks.
• Geese are a protected species, however homeowners associations, condo boards or office park or property managers may be able to get permission to addle (shake, puncture or oil) the eggs. But it requires permission or authorization from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Other resources: