Love is in the air

Now is the time for aggressive tactics, that is why starting your geese control services as soon as you start to see them on your property is essential (typically in February). Spring is the season when they will begin to pair up and mate. Once they drop an egg, we are federally regulated to not disturb the nest without going through the proper authorities for permits.

If you see geese pairing up?

You have to get aggressive and make the geese uncomfortable at your property before they nest. There are many tactics, but we have found that it is the combination of tactics and timing of those tactics that work best. Border Collies prove the most effective, but even then, you need to be a little creative with your timing, persistence and aggressiveness. Contact Ohio Geese Control for more information.

If you see a nest?

The best thing to do if you see an empty nest, is to break it up. Don't let the geese get too comfortable on your property. It doesn't take long for a goose to drop an egg (and then it is hands-off.) Nests are hard to spot, because they are not very elaborate at the beginning, maybe just a clearing of the grass.

Canada Geese Eggs

If you see eggs?

Once there is an egg in the nest, it cannot be touched. And the parents are not going anywhere. Typically, a Canada goose will lay up to 6-10 eggs. If there is only one egg in the nest, then the rest will arrive over the next week or so. It is against regulations to disturb the nest at this point. If the eggs are disturbed, the goose will just lay more eggs, so don't even be tempted. The best thing to do is to call your Division of Wildlife and apply for a permit to addle the egg. In Ohio, permits will begin to be provided in May. I'll write more on this process in a later post.

Don't stop your Canada geese control tactics, even if you see a nest with an egg in it. Geese only attract more geese, so keep aggressive to try and limit the number that are nesting on your property.

Let me know if you have any questions (questions[at]ohiogeesecontrol.com), or would like a specific topic covered in this blog. It is only through education, that we can remain effective and humane in controlling Canada geese populations.