Canada Geese: The Poop Problem and How to Manage It

If you live near Lake Erie, or live in Monroe, Michigan, Toledo, Ohio or the surrounding areas - chances are you’ve dealt with Canada geese (often referred to as Canadian geese). These large birds are a common sight, especially around waterfront properties. While they can be fun to watch in flight, they can quickly become a nuisance when they decide to make your yard their home—and leave behind a mess of goose poop everywhere.

Why Do Geese Poop So Much?

One of the main problems with geese is their poop. Canada geese are herbivores (not omnivores, as some people might think), meaning they feed mostly on grass, seeds, and aquatic plants - although they sometimes eat insects and fish. This diet leads to constant grazing, and because they have a fast digestive system, they poop frequently—often right where they eat. An adult goose can poop up to two pounds per day, which is why so many homeowners find their lawns covered in droppings.

How to Stop Geese from Pooping in Your Yard

Preventing geese from treating your yard like their personal toilet is tricky, but not impossible. Here are some strategies that have proven effective:

1. Landscape Modification: Geese love open, grassy areas near water—like the shores of Lake Erie. Changing your landscape by adding tall grasses or shrubs along the water's edge can make your yard less appealing to them. Geese prefer areas where they can see potential predators, and tall plants obstruct their view.

2. Use Decoys: Geese are wary of predators. You can purchase decoys of dogs, coyotes, or even swans to deter them from landing in your yard. However, it’s essential to move these decoys around regularly, or the geese will catch on that they aren’t real.

3. Install Fencing: Geese are generally not good at flying over short distances. A low fence around the perimeter of your yard, especially if you live on the lake, can prevent them from waddling up from the water to your lawn.

4. Motion-Activated Sprinklers: A burst of water from a sprinkler system will surprise the geese and can discourage them from returning. These sprinklers activate when they detect movement, making them an effective deterrent.

5. Noisemakers: Using noise deterrents like air horns or ultrasonic devices can make your yard an unwelcoming place for geese. Just make sure the sounds aren’t too disruptive to your neighbors!

How to Remove Goose Poop from Your Lawn

When geese decide your yard is their favorite hangout spot, it can seem like you’re constantly dealing with goose poop on your lawn. Here are a few ways to tackle the mess:

• Best Way to Pick Up Goose Poop: Use a rake or a dedicated scooping tool to collect the poop. If it’s dried, a rake works well to gather it up. For fresh droppings, a pooper scooper or shovel can be handy. Some homeowners prefer a dog waste removal tool designed for larger animal droppings.

• Hose it Down: After scooping the solid waste, hosing down the affected area helps remove any leftover residue. This not only cleans your yard but also dilutes any harmful bacteria present in the droppings.

• Use a Leaf Blower: Believe it or not, a powerful leaf blower can help push goose poop into a manageable pile before you scoop it up.

Why Do Dogs Eat Goose Poop?

If you have dogs, you might have noticed them munching on goose poop, much to your disgust. But why do dogs eat goose poop? Dogs are scavengers by nature, and they might be attracted to the smell of the undigested plant material in goose droppings. Although this behavior is gross, it’s not uncommon. To discourage this, ensure you clean up goose poop quickly and keep your dog supervised when outside.

How to Get Rid of Geese Poop

Goose poop can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so regular clean-up is important. Not only is the poop unsightly, but it can also carry diseases like E. coli, which could be harmful to humans and pets. The best way to get rid of geese poop is to stay on top of it by cleaning regularly and preventing the geese from settling in your yard in the first place.

Conclusion

Canada geese are a constant problem for homeowners in areas like Lake Erie. Their droppings can create a mess, damage lawns, and pose potential health risks. By implementing preventive strategies like landscape modifications, decoys, and noise deterrents, you can reduce the likelihood of geese turning your yard into their personal bathroom. If they do leave behind a mess, knowing the best way to pick up goose poop and keep your lawn clean will save you from dealing with an unsightly and unsanitary yard.

And if the geese keep coming back and pooping everywhere? It might be time to call in professionals like Critter Capture, who can help you address the nuisance in a humane and effective way.