Residential Canada Geese Control in New Jersey
Pictures and other symbols of geese are often used as a decorating motif to equate them with a welcoming sense of quaintness. The real fact is that while they are a welcome addition to the scenery and ecosystem when managed properly, their numbers can get out of hand quickly without residential Canada geese control.
New Jersey is on the migratory flight path of birds flying from Quebec to southern nesting areas in the fall and back again in the spring. The large number of Canada geese passing through create health and safety problems for single houses, housing developments, and apartment complexes.
In addition to the migratory flocks of geese, there is a growing number of geese that have taken up residence in New Jersey. The residential Canada geese are a much heavier version of their migratory cousins, by as much as five or six pounds. They are adapting to their environment, which means they have a longer life span and reproduce more prolifically than the migratory fowl.
Feeding and Nesting Habits
Canada geese look for areas that have freshly-mown lawns and waterways, such as ponds and lakes. They nest and feed on the carefully fertilized and trimmed lawns of individual houses, housing developments, and apartment complexes. In the process, they destroy the landscape, and by extension, the water. One goose can eat as much as three pounds of vegetation and deposit 2 pounds of waste on a daily basis.
Humane Control of Canada Geese
There are a number of humane ways to manage Canada geese in New Jersey that meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wildlife Services’ stipulations.
Post Signs
When people feed the wild birds, they have a tendency to want to stay put. Posting signs that clearly state not to feed the birds and attach the monetary fine such activity incurs keeps people aware and responsible.
Managing the Environment
Methods of managing the habitat that attracts Canada geese include fencing around waterways, replacing vegetation, and use of laser lights.
Fencing Around Waterways
There are different ways to go about this, but the general idea is to restrict a smooth transition from land to water. Canada geese won’t want to leave their young exposed in nests while they go off in search of water. They’ll move on in search of a more tolerant environment.
Replacing Vegetation
Since Canada geese prefer the fresh clippings from lawns, if you integrate other types of vegetation, such as ivy and wild flowers, geese won’t have such a readily available food supply.
Laser Lights
Using a laser beam in low-light circumstances scares the birds into finding another place to nest. It’s non-harmful alternative of removing them.
Limiting Reproduction
Coating Egg with Oil
Egg coating techniques serve to limit future generations in a humane way. Carefully removing the nesting Canadian goose from the nest and coating the eggs with oil prevents them from hatching.
Egg Addling
Addling stops the development of the embryo by vigorously shaking the egg. This must be done by a trained individual who understands an egg’s development. If the embryo is too far advanced, shaking it inside the egg is clearly inhumane.
Puncturing
A slight pin prick to the shell allows for bacteria to form. This, again, requires a trained individual.
