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Honk If You Like Geese

© Georgeann Hall

Just about everyone is familiar with the sight and sound of Canadian geese flying high overhead. Personally, I think they are amazing: able to navigate at night, achieving speeds of around 60mph, and highly intelligent..though some would debate that!

Unfortunately, due to reduction of natural habitat and the creation of manmade lakes and ponds in urban areas, the numbers of geese and other waterfowl have increased greatly. Birds that once migrated yearly have lost their instinct to travel and have become permanent residents in some areas.

Geese and ducks are grazers so lush, green lawns are among their favorite dining areas. Not only does the feeding damage lawns, but their droppings create quite a mess as well.

How does one cope with these animals? Keeping in mind that waterfowl are protected game animals, you cannot just shoot or poison them. People have tried repelling these birds with noise, or snake and owl dummies, but these methods usually fail.

There are duck and geese repellants which can be sprayed on the turf and other vegetation. These repellants have been used with varying degrees of success.

Probably the best way to deal with waterfowl grazing your property is to block their line of site from the water. Installing a hedge between ponds and lawns will stop geese and ducks from using your yard as a dining area.These birds will not enter areas that they cannot see.

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