Controlling Pest Geese

By Carolyn Griffin

During the past few decades, golf has gained in popularity as a recreational pastime and as a passion. Golf courses comprise a variety of habitats. All areas of the golf course are a habitat—even tees, greens and fairways. When pest birds, such as geese, inhabit golf course properties, many golf course facilities make the mistake that non-intervention is the best option; however, intervention and management is the preferred bird control method. Over the past ten years, one of the main challenges for golf course owners is being environmentally sensitive. 

The geese population has increased in urban and suburban areas in recent years, and they are often considered pests. Geese feed by grazing in fields and large lawns, and they are often seen in flight moving in pairs or in flocks, often in a “V” formation. Their habitat is found anywhere near lakes, rivers, ponds, or other small or large bodies of water, such as those found in golf course communities.

With a life expectancy of 25 years, geese spend most of the day foraging for food, which is primarily obtained by grazing. They like short grasslands next to a body of water and prefer fertilized grass for feeding. This is what attracts them to golf courses, playgrounds, and other well-maintained lawns.

Goose control products that will deter geese from inhabiting golf courses and other grassy areas include goose repellents and super sonics. 

The goose repellent is applied to grass areas where geese have become a nuisance. You can treat grass areas where geese graze. Geese cannot stand the ingredient (grape extract, methyl anthrantitate), yet the product is safe for pets and humans. The extract irritates the goose’s trigeminal nerve and mucous membrane when a goose eats the product. Because geese do not like this sensation, they will leave the treated area.

The repellent is beneficial as it keeps property clear of pest geese and their droppings. This low cost, effective, and successful goose control solution works when geese eat the distasteful treated grass, thus impelling them to leave the area. The goose repellent is simple, easy to apply, and rain and water resistant. Finally, the product is safe and non-toxic: it will not harm humans, ducks, geese, or other animals.

The goose sonic scares pest geese with loud sounds such as distress and predator calls. The bird sonic is species specific as it allows you to choose the pest bird you are trying to eradicate. With a controllable volume, this product covers between one-six acres, is sun and weather resistant, and works day or night. You simply program the unit for your pest bird.  The specific goose sonic keeps pest geese off your property, and it comes with two free satellite speakers. Finally, the cost effective and affordable goose control sonic is the lowest cost sonic system on the market.

The goose repellent and the goose sonic are two humane and simple methods to keep your golf course free of nuisance geese and their droppings. The benefits are two-fold: you can make your golf customers happy as they can play on a sanitary course which means greater profits for you as you will increase your profits from repeat customers.  Thus, "Golfing Without Geese" by using goose control products translates into satisfied customers.