Managing Canada Geese on Your Pond

Canada geese (not "Canadian geese") are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal control requires permits, but non-lethal methods work well.

• Habitat modification: Let a 20–30 ft wide strip of grass grow 20–30 inches tall along the shore. Geese avoid tall grass because they can't see predators.
• Repellents: Methyl anthranilate (MIGRATE, Goose Chase) makes grass unpalatable but washes off with rain.
• Professional removal: USDA Wildlife Services conducts molting-season roundups (late June–early July) and relocates geese 100+ miles away.

Don't feed geese. A riparian buffer of tall vegetation also improves water quality by filtering runoff.