Surface Water Management Division

Keeping Your Lake Healthy:  Excessive Geese and Waterfowl

Canada Geese are now a common sight at lakes and ponds in Western Washington.  These beautiful birds are great fun to watch and enjoy.  However, populations of resident Canada Geese have exploded in some areas causing water quality and other problems  for lake users and residents.

Why are there so many geese?

 

Certain types of Canada geese, were originally introduced to Westerin Washington to enhance hunting opportunities.  These geese are now known as resident geese, since they do not migrate in the winter.  The birds have adapted well to living in urban and suburban areas and their populations flourish with ample food sources - mainly green lawns - and a lack of predators.

 

Why Can Geese be a Problem for my Lake?

Geese and other waterfowl are an important component to any aquatic environment.  However, unnaturally high populations of waterfowl can be problematic.   Bird droppings can be a significant source of harmful nutrients and bacteria to lakes.  The geese also play a role in the spread of swimmers itch (external link).

 

What Can  I Do about My Geese Problem?

 

Stop Feeding Geese

If you or someone you know is feeding geese or other waterfowl, this activity should be stopped.  Feeding geese actually harms the birds.  Human food increases the birds risk of disease.  It also gives them an "easy meal" which makes them dependent and disrupts their migratory patterns.

 

Change Your Shoreline Vegetation

Changing your shoreline vegetation is the most effective long-term solution to prevent geese from living in your yard.  Geese love open lawn areas near water.  The tender grass shoots of a well-manicured lawn are an excellent source of food.  Short vegetation also provides ideal habitat, as geese can easily scan for predators and move into and out of the water.  The best control option is to plant a  buffer of native vegetation between the lake and your yard.  The taller vegetation will obstruct their line of sight and easy exit to the water.  Find out more about creating a vegetated buffer.

Make Your Grass Less Appealing

Photo Courtesy of Deb Kocher

Geese love to graze on fresh young grass shoots.  You can discourage your lawn from becoming lunch by changing your lawn care habits.  Decrease the ability of geese to find fresh shoots by mowing and fertilizing less frequently.  The longer more robust grass makes it harder for geese to find shoots and will make for a healthier lawn.  Find out more about lake friendly lawn care practices.

 

Barriers

Short fencing along a shoreline may be able to prevent geese from entering your yard, particularly when geese are molting and unable to fly.  However, fencing or other barriers may not work as well as a buffer of native vegetation.  Fencing should be at least one foot high, and should be erected prior to period geese typically use the property.

Other Methods

There are many other non-lethal methods that have had mixed results discouraging resident geese including:  predator decoys, noise disturbance, grape flavored lawn treatments, and others.  As a general rule, the variation of techniques and high frequency of disturbance seem to improve level of control.  Please see the resources below for additional information.  

Canada geese are a federally protected species.  Therefore lethal methods of control such as hunting outside of the hunting season, egg disruption, and trapping require appropriate permits or must be conducted by government officials.  Contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife or the United States Department of Agriculture- Washington Wildlife Services Department for more information. 

Additional Geese Resources

Living with Wildlife - Canada Geese (external): Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife provides a thorough overview of Canada Geese and provides ideas for preventing conflict with geese. 

The Trouble with Resident Geese (external):  A King County Lake Stewardship program fact sheet on non-lethal methods for coping with Canada Geese.

Managing Problems Caused by Urban Canada Geese (external):  An electronic booklet that provides an overview of methods for controlling Canada geese problems developed by the Jack H. Berryman Institute for Wildlife Damage at Utah State University and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 

Contact

Gene Williams, Senior Planner, 425-388-3464 extension 4563

Marisa Burghdoff, Water Quality Analyst, 425-388-3464 extension 4639