Timing is critical for maximum effectiveness. Chemical goose repellent can be applied to the grass that geese consume to deter them from feeding on the lawn. The repellent can work in two ways. The chemical can have a bad taste to the geese or it can make the grass visually undesirable to the bird. The chemical can also cause a gut reaction in the bird, making the bird feel sick. The chemical is not strong enough to kill or harm the bird. Recent research has shown that large quantities of repellent are necessary to repel geese, making this a costly effort.
Types of Goose Repellent:
There are two types of chemicals geese repellents are currently registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as goose repellents: methyl anthranilate (MA) and anthraquinone (AQ). Both chemicals were originally designed to be sprayed on grass, making the grass undesirable to consume to geese. MA has also been used as an aerosol to chase geese away.
MA is a naturally occurring non-toxic, biodegradable food ingredient found in concord grapes and orange blossoms. Two MA-based repellents acquirable today are ReJeXiT and Repel.
AQ is an odorless compound found in a wide variety of plants. The compound is harmless to wildlife and to humans, and it can last through all weather conditions such as rain, snow and ice.
Timing is very important when applying these chemical repellents to acquire the best results. Turf repellents work best if they are applied before the geese take over a certain area and are then become unwilling to leave. The goose repellents will not be effective against geese if they are currently sitting on eggs.
Frequency of application, size of the area, number of geese present, and use or non-use of other harassment techniques all contribute to success or failure. Turf repellents tend to be quite costly and must be applied several times in order to see the best results. They may also need to be reapplied after a rainstorm or after mowing the grass.
Chemical repellents must be used in conjunction with other goose control techniques such as the use of goose control dogs for maximum effectiveness.