Canadian geese are known for their honking, aggressive behavior, and unfortunate tendency to leave droppings in parks and yards. But did you know that geese also have a strong sense of smell that helps them identify threats, find food, and recognize their young? Like many birds, geese use their sense of smell in combination with sight and sound to navigate the world around them. In this article, we’ll explore the smells that Canadian geese dislike and that can be used as effective deterrents.
Why Do Geese Have a Strong Sense of Smell?
Canadian geese have approximately 1,700 taste buds compared to only 430 in humans. Their sense of smell is thought to be approximately 10 to 100 times more powerful and acute than a human’s. This heightened olfactory ability serves several important purposes for geese:
- Finding food – Geese rely on smell to locate edible plants, roots, and insects while foraging.
- Avoiding predators – Geese can detect the scent of predators like foxes, coyotes, bears, and humans from long distances away.
- Navigating migration – Geese use smells to help them migrate thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds.
- Recognizing young – Mother geese identify their goslings by smell immediately after hatching.
- Assessing threats – Geese smell unfamiliar or threatening scents and situations, warning them to be cautious or leave the area.
So while a goose’s strong sense of smell is beneficial for survival, it also means they are easily repelled by certain odors. Next, let’s examine what types of smells deter geese most effectively.
Smells Geese Dislike
Over the years, people have discovered several types of scents that geese try to avoid. Here are some of the main smells found to be unappealing to geese:
Predator Urine/Scent
One of the most commonly used goose repellents is predator urine or predator scent. The smell triggers geese’s natural instinct to flee from predators like foxes, wolves, and coyotes. Brands like Shake-Away and Ferti-lome Deer Off rely on 100% natural ingredients like coyote, fox, and mountain lion urine to create a “fear scent” that drives geese away. The urine is collected humanely without harming the predators.
Studies show predator urine can reduce goose populations at a site by up to 73%. The scent tends to be most effective when applied around nesting areas so geese are deterred from laying eggs. Some disadvantages are that the urine smell is unpleasant for humans and it requires re-application after rain or irrigation.
Methyl Anthranilate
Methyl anthranilate is a chemical compound naturally found in grapes and certain flowers. It has a fruity aroma to humans but geese find it irritating and nauseating. Pest control products like Rejex-it and GooseChase contain a synthetic version of methyl anthranilate designed to repel geese.
The benefit of methyl anthranilate is that humans can hardly detect the grape-like scent but geese have an aversive response. Research indicates methyl anthranilate can reduce goose numbers by 50-80% in an area. Like predator urine, it must be reapplied frequently for lasting results.
Garlic
Garlic and garlic-based products are sometimes used to keep geese away due to their strong, pungent odor. Garlic oil or garlic salt can be sprayed directly onto plants, lawns, or walkways around waterways to create a smell barrier. The disadvantage is that garlic odor dissipates quickly so it must be reapplied often. The scent is also unpleasant for many humans. But it’s a non-toxic, inexpensive option to try.
Vinegar
Geese have highly sensitive nostrils, so the strong acetic acid scent of vinegar is unpleasant to them. White vinegar or wine vinegar can be sprayed onto grass, patios, and plants. As with garlic, the vinegar smell fades rapidly with rain or sprinklers. But it’s affordable and harmless for repeatedly applying. For longer effectiveness, some commercial goose deterrents contain vinegar along with other smelly natural ingredients.
Citrus Oils
Citrus scents like grapefruit, orange, or lemon are thought to be irritating to a goose’s senses. There isn’t a wealth of scientific research on citrus oils compared to other goose deterrents. But anecdotal evidence suggests citrus peels or sprays containing citrus extracts help deter geese from yards and gardens. The clean citrus smell is more pleasant for humans than predator urine or vinegar.
Essential Oils
Certain potent essential oils like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and thyme can repel geese when applied near their grazing areas. These oils likely overwhelm and confuse a goose’s acute sense of smell when present in concentrated forms. Combining different essential oils may produce a more effective scent repellent. But rain will wash away the oil’s smells quickly.
How to Use Scents to Repel Geese
Now that we’ve covered the main scents that deter geese, how do you use them for maximum effectiveness? Here are some tips for using smell repellents:
- Apply early before nesting season – It’s best to start applying scent deterrents in early spring before geese start scouting nesting spots.
- Use multiple repellents – Alternate between different scents like predator urine, methyl anthranilate, vinegar, and essential oils to confuse geese.
- Reapply frequently – Plan to reapply goose repellent scents at least every 1-2 weeks and after heavy rain.
- Focus on nesting areas – Target goose scent deterrents near ponds, along shorelines, and in areas where geese graze and nest.
- Combine with visual deterrents – Use smelly repellents along with visual approaches like decoys, reflective tape, and motion-activated sprinklers.
Following these best practices will make your goose scent control efforts as effective as possible. Check regulations in your local area before applying any scent repellents.
Other Effective Goose Deterrents
While smell deterrents are useful, it’s best to employ multiple techniques to discourage geese from an area. Here are some other goose management tools to use:
Visual Repellents
Geese rely heavily on eyesight to remain vigilant for predators. Visual scare tactics like decoys, reflective tape, lasers, and balloons can frighten geese away. Just be sure to move decoys frequently so geese don’t become accustomed to them.
Sound Repellents
Noise makers like propane cannons, clappers, and distress call systems overload a goose’s sense of hearing. Use these in moderation to prevent geese from becoming desensitized.
Physical Barriers
Installing fencing, wires, or plant barriers prevents geese from moving into an area. Pond slopes can also be steepened so geese can’t easily walk from water to land.
Landscaping Modifications
Remove any goose food sources by eliminating grass next to waterways. Plant unpalatable native shrubs and flowers or let shoreline vegetation grow tall. Without open grazing lawns, geese will be less likely to linger.
Harassment
Actively chasing or spraying geese with water every time they enter an area teaches them not to return. Trained dogs can also be used to run off geese. Just be sure harassment is conducted legally and humanely.
Key Takeaways on Goose Smell Repellents
In summary, here’s what you need to know about using scents to drive geese away:
- Canadian geese rely heavily on their acute sense of smell to survive.
- Smells like predator urine, methyl anthranilate, vinegar, garlic, citrus, and essential oils deter geese.
- Apply repellent scents frequently before nesting season and after rain.
- Target areas like shorelines, lawns, and grazing areas geese frequent.
- Rotate between different scent repellents for best results.
- Use smell deterrents along with other goose management tools.
While no single goose deterrent is 100% effective for every situation, using a multifaceted approach can significantly reduce goose activity and damage. Pay close attention to when and where geese congregate then focus repellent scents and deterrents in those areas. With some persistence finding the right blend of control strategies for your property, you can win the battle to reclaim your land from nuisance geese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about repelling geese with smell deterrents:
Are scent repellents safe for the environment?
Most goose scent deterrents use natural ingredients that won’t harm plants, animals, or waterways when used properly. Check that a repellent is non-toxic before applying near ponds or gardens. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other hazardous chemicals.
How long do scent repellents last?
Depending on the specific product, scent repellents typically last anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks before needing reapplication. Weather conditions like rain, wind, and sunlight affect how quickly scents fade.
Where can I buy goose repellent scents?
Goose deterrent scents can be found at most hardware stores, home and garden centers, and online retailers like Amazon. Look for specialty goose repellent brands or products containing ingredients like predator urine, methyl anthranilate, garlic, vinegar, and plant oils.
What time of year should I apply goose repellents?
It’s most effective to begin using goose scent deterrents in early spring, before the nesting season gets underway. Maintain repellents throughout summer when geese are raising goslings. Continue deterrents into fall to prevent molting geese from lingering.
How close together should I apply goose repellents?
As a rule of thumb, repellent scents should be reapplied every 30-50 feet around areas you want to protect. Focus on clusters of goose activity and pathways between feeding and nesting areas. If geese still aren’t getting the hint, increase the frequency and density of repellent application.
Do I need a permit to use goose repellents?
Regulations vary, so check with your state wildlife agency before deploying any goose deterrents. Some municipalities prohibit certain repellent ingredients or require permits, especially for registered federal or state lands. Make sure you know and follow all laws.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you should have a solid understanding of which scents can effectively repel pesky Canadian geese. While no single deterrent works perfectly in every situation, strategic use of smell repellents provides a humane way to discourage goose damage and nesting. With persistence and consistency applying goose deterrents, you can reclaim your yard and garden for leisure and recreation rather than constantly cleaning up goose droppings. Just be sure to use repellents legally and humanely. With the right deterrent plan in place, you and your family can once again enjoy your outdoor spaces without the nuisance of messy geese.