UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Spring beckons when you see forsythia bloom, smell sprouting flowers and hear the honking of migrating Canada geese in V-formation. For landowners with ponds or streams, however, migrating waterfowl can become foul pests, says a wildlife specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"A few geese can provide a wildlife experience for children and adults," says Gary San Julian, professor of wildlife resources. "But nonmigrating Canada geese are increasing dramatically and they are finding the manicured landscapes of the suburbs as attractive as humans do."

San Julian says geese need fresh water and tender grasses for food, requirements easily fulfilled in residential neighborhoods, corporate parks, airports, city parks, community gardens and golf courses.

"Canada geese easily become accustomed to people and residential areas," San Julian explains. "Most people can accept a few birds. But when numbers increase, problems occur, such as overgrazing of grass and plants, attacks by aggressive birds, buildup of droppings and feathers, and fouling of beaches, lawns, docks, reservoirs and swimming areas."

San Julian explains there are two types of Canada goose. The "interior" Canada goose has a long spring migration from Canada to overwintering grounds in the southern United States. The "giant" Canada goose is a local nesting goose with a limited migration. The giant Canada goose is heavier than the interior variety and readily adapts to urban settings.

Control

The Canada goose is designated as an international resource by both the United States and Canada, which means strict regulations govern the hunting and destruction of these waterfowl.

"If geese become established on a pond or grassy area, it may be difficult to get them out," San Julian says. "A long-term maintenance program is more likely to work than a quick-fix solution."

San Julian suggests making landscapes unattractive to geese:

--Ponds. Limit access to the pond by installing overhead grid wires. If the pond is aerated, turn the aerator off in the winter so water will freeze. "Open water is a lure to geese," San Julian says.

--Vegetation. Geese graze, says San Julian. Replace heavily grazed areas with groundcover, native grasses or ornamentals.

--Eggs. Contact both the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Wildlife Services) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission to determine if they can remove eggs. A state and federal permit is required to bother an active nest.

--Nests. Remove any goose nesting platforms installed in the past or any old, abandoned nests. "Check with a wildlife specialist before touching a nest," San Julian says. "Permits are required before you can tamper with nests containing eggs or young."

--Other food sources. Stop feeding geese. "They won't leave if you are feeding them," San Julian says.

Barriers

Geese prefer areas with easy access to food and water. San Julian suggests using barriers.

--Fencing. Temporary or permanent plastic fencing can contain geese on the water and shoreline. Monofilament fishing line can be strung on fiberglass or wooden poles. The poles should be 24 inches tall and the line should be strung at 4-inch intervals from the ground to the top.

"Fencing works during nesting season when geese are flightless." he says. "After August, they can fly and any fencing is ineffective."

--Riprap. Large stone borders placed in a 2- to 3-foot band make it difficult for geese and their young to walk on the shoreline.

--Vegetation barriers. A dense row of thorny shrubs can prevent geese from arriving during nesting season. San Julian recommends Korean barberry, Japanese barberry, rugosa rose, prairie rose and Virginia rose. "Tall trees and shrubs in large, open lawns can be disturbing to geese looking for nesting and grazing sites," he says. "They like clear lines of sight to watch for predators."

--Visual barriers. Fences 36 inches high tied with bright string or silver Mylar streamers can keep geese from landing. "But visual barriers usually are effective only when used with noise harassment," San Julian says. "Visual barriers rarely work with established geese."

Harassment

The goal of harassment is to never allow geese to land. "You have to monitor the geese for arrival times, and if the geese are already residents you have to frighten them into flight and then prevent them from landing," San Julian explains.

--Noise. Hand-held pyrotechnic devices are easy to control and are probably the most effective. "Check with local police and the area conservation officer for permission and local limitations for these products," San Julian says.

--Visual. Tethered metallic balloons have shown limited success. Plastic owls or snakes are ineffective.

--Chemical repellents. Methyl anthranilate is a registered chemical goose repellent. The repellent prevents grazing, but has no effect on geese walking or leaving droppings in the area.

San Julian says using multiple methods of goose management will yield the best results. He suggests researching more about geese at the USDA Animal Damage Control Office Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/wswfowl.html.

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EDITORS: To contact Gary San Julian, please call 814-863-0401.