Why are there so many geese?

Geese live in a particular area that meets their needs for food, reproduction and security.  Geese are grazers that feed primarily on short grasses such as those found in parks, lawns and golf courses.  They need feeding sites with open vistas and access to lakes and marshes to escape danger.

Canada geese are extremely prolific.  At normal reproduction and mortality, a pond or lake with 3 pairs of adult geese can multiply to nearly 50 birds within 5 years and to over 300 in just 10 years.  Being social birds geese congregate in flocks.  Currently about 25,000 geese spend the summer in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

How can I get these geese to leave?

Try some of these ideas:

1. Frightening or hazing geese; this is the simplest method.
2. Noise-making scare devices
3. Bird scare tape
4. Repellents
5. Energized fencing
6. Barrier fencing
7. Landscaping
8. Hunting; this is the most effective way to control goose populations.

For details about the exact ways to implement any of the ideas above, check out the DNR's website and full article relating to these suggestions.

і "DNR",  Minnesota DNR Website, DNR Homeowner's Guide to Goose Problems.
 

Tidbit

Lawns mowed to the water attract Canadian Geese.  Geese love being able to see the water.  They avoid shorelines where the vegetation is higher than their eye level because predators may be hiding in those plants.

So consider planting to protect water quality and keep those geese at bay.

Tidbit  (From Star & Tribune / By: B. Steverman)

Do you know gees can leave 4 pounds of droppings per day?