Request for Help with Canada Geese Deterrents

Volunteers are needed to help with our Canada geese deterrent efforts. Members are asked to please notify the office of their willingness to participate in deterrent training and ongoing efforts to discourage geese from enjoying our lake. If you are unable to physically be involved with such activities, you can still help by calling or emailing the RRA office with information on the location of potential mating geese, nests and roosting areas.

We are all looking forward to warmer weather for increasing our lake activities. Unfortunately, our Canada geese population also looks forward to their increase in lake activities such as nesting, grazing, and resting from migration. They prefer open grassy areas close to the water for food and protection from predators. Through DNA testing we have established that geese are a major contributor to increased bacteria in our lake. Testing results prove that their overpopulation is detrimental to our lake’s water quality. Their feces bring health concerns, pollute the water, and can damage parks, lawns and other vegetation.

Over the last ten years, the Lake Management Committee (LMC) has implemented deterrents to successfully limit the goose population increase and reduce the negative effects of the geese.

These initiatives include:

• Distribution of Information. Unfortunately, there are people who welcome and feed the geese on their property, but these geese will soon wear out their welcome. In a few years, a pair of geese can easily become 50 to 100 birds. Feeding geese results in losing their fear of humans and attacking adults, children, and pets during the nesting season (March through June).
• Legal, non-lethal hazing tactics. The Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Ohio state law both protect Canada geese. This protection extends to the geese, goslings, nests, and eggs. These laws have specific guidelines for non-lethal scaring and hazing tactics, which discourage but do not harm the geese. These tactics include pyrotechnics, dogs, decoys, barriers, and laser pointers (at night). Your Association utilizes several of these deterrents and encourages residents to do the same.
• Specifically designed landscaping. Designated techniques are under consideration to deter geese from returning to known habitats. A master gardener has reviewed Whirlpool Park with recommendations for the use of certain tall grass which reduce soil erosion and block the geese from viewing potential predators. As a result, the geese will avoid these areas.
• Addling. We are fortunate to hold a Division of Wildlife permit to allow trained LMC representatives to addle eggs to control the population.

Additional control methods such as seasonal goose roundups or culling of geese are also being researched in a cooperative effort between the BOD and the LMC. Your input is welcome and knowledgeable, capable volunteers are needed.