Keep Geese Away: Protect Your Boat Dock

Geese can be a nuisance for boat owners, leaving droppings all over docks and causing a mess. While they can be tricky to deter, there are several methods to try and keep them away from your property. Geese are attracted to water, food, shelter, and open spaces, so blocking their access to these can help. You can also try to confuse or scare them away using reflective items, flags, decoys, lights, or sounds.

Use reflective items such as tape, CDs, or streamers to scare geese away

Geese can be a persistent problem for boat owners, and their mess is certainly an unwelcome sight. One way to deter them is to use reflective items such as tape, CDs, or streamers. These items can be placed on your dock to create an uninviting environment for the geese.

Reflective tape is a convenient and subtle way to keep geese away. Lining the edges of your dock with this tape will confuse and scare the birds without getting in your way or disrupting the look of your dock. Old CDs can also be used in a similar way. Place them with the shiny side up to deter the geese. Another option is to hang reflective streamers from tall objects on your property, such as an awning, flagpole, or shepherd's hook. The higher you hang them, the more effective they will be.

These reflective items work by creating a scary and confusing environment for the geese. The reflection and movement of light will deter them from approaching your dock. It is important to note, however, that geese can become accustomed to deterrents over time, so combining this method with other tactics may be necessary for a persistent problem.

By using reflective tape, CDs, or streamers, you can effectively scare geese away from your boat dock and maintain a clean and safe space. This method is a simple, inexpensive, and humane way to keep geese at bay and enjoy your waterfront property in peace.

Use decoys such as swan statues or other bird decoys to deter geese

Decoys are a great way to deter geese from your boat dock. Swan statues, in particular, are an effective illusion of a goose's main predator. Swans are large, territorial, and aggressive, and their presence will deter geese from coming near your dock.

You can also use other bird decoys to make the space look claimed by another bird. For example, a wooden or plastic owl is a classic method of shooing away lingering birds. The fake and intimidating owl will make the birds stay away, fearing they will become prey. However, over time, birds may become accustomed to the static position of the owl decoy. To counter this, you can use decoys with moving parts, such as an owl with a swivelling head and reflective eyes, making it appear more lifelike.

Another option is to use a fishing pole to rig up something that flaps or moves in the breeze, such as an owl decoy. This creates a scary and confusing environment for the geese. You can also try other decoys that create commotion, such as flags or streamers, which will blow in the wind and deter geese from your dock.

By using decoys, you can create an effective illusion of danger and competition for the geese, making your boat dock an unattractive place for them to visit.

Use flags or Dori Poles to create a commotion and confuse birds

Flags and Dori Poles are excellent tools to deter geese from your boat dock. Geese are often attracted to boat docks because they offer easy access to water, food, shelter, and open spaces. However, you can use this knowledge to your advantage by making the dock a less appealing place for them.

Flags and Dori Poles are effective tools to create a commotion that confuses and deters geese. Flags, particularly tall ones, can cause a disturbance when they blow in the wind, disrupting the calm environment that geese seek. Dori Poles, on the other hand, are highly visible, decorative pennants that create a shadow that birds don't want to be under. Their bright colours, attention-grabbing motion, and height make them very effective at deterring geese. The key to the success of Dori Poles is a gentle wind of about three miles per hour, which is usually sufficient to keep the birds away.

Combining these methods can also be beneficial. Consider using tall flagpoles with flags that blow in the wind, along with colourful and flowing Dori Poles. The movement and shadows created by these tools will make the dock a less desirable place for geese to hang out.

Additionally, you can enhance the effectiveness of these methods by using other deterrents in conjunction. For example, you could try using reflective items, such as reflective tape, old CDs, or reflective streamers, to create a scary and confusing environment for the geese. You could also try using decoys, such as swan statues or fake owls, to create the illusion of predators. However, keep in mind that deterrents may only work temporarily, as geese may eventually realise they can be ignored.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively use flags and Dori Poles to create a commotion that confuses and deters geese from your boat dock, allowing you to fully enjoy your waterfront property.

Use physical barriers such as caution tape, chairs, or tarps to block access to the dock

Geese can be a persistent problem for boat owners, especially when they start to use your boat dock as a toilet. One way to deter them is to use physical barriers such as caution tape, chairs or tarps to block their access to the dock.

Caution tape is a simple and effective way to create a perimeter barrier around your dock. Geese usually hop up onto the dock from the water, so by running a line of caution tape around the edge of the dock, you can prevent them from accessing it. This method is most effective if the geese haven't been using your dock for a long time. The longer they've been in the habit of visiting, the harder it will be to deter them.

Another option is to obstruct the dock with a row of chairs. This physical barrier will block the geese from accessing the dock and may also make the area less appealing to them. Similarly, you could use a rolled-up tarp to block their access. The tarp can be rolled out across the dock, making it difficult for the geese to land or walk onto the dock.

Combining these physical barriers with other deterrents, such as reflective items, decoys, or flags, can also be effective. Geese are easily confused and deterred by objects that create a commotion or move in the breeze. By using a combination of tactics, you may be able to break the geese of their messy habit.

Remove food sources and nesting areas to reduce the attractiveness of the dock to geese

To keep geese off your boat dock, it is important to understand what attracts them to your dock in the first place. Geese are seeking basic survival elements such as food, water, and shelter. They are also attracted to waterfront properties with open spaces.

Remove Food Sources

• Ensure that there are no loose food scraps or easily accessible food sources for geese on or near your property. Clean up any food waste properly and avoid feeding geese or other birds.
• If you have a garden or lawn, consider the types of plants and grass you have. Geese are grazers and are particularly attracted to lawns and certain types of grass or plants. Consider landscaping changes that reduce their food sources.

Reduce Access to Water

Geese prefer waterfront properties with easy access to water for bathing and playing. Consider ways to limit their access to water near your dock. This could include temporary barriers or obstructions that make it difficult for them to enter the water from your dock.

Block Off Nesting Areas

• Geese seek shelter to set up nesting areas. If your dock has an awning or structures that provide shade and protection from the elements, try to block off these areas. You can use caution tape, tarps, or furniture to make it less accessible for geese to nest.
• Plant tall grass or shrubs near your dock to interrupt their ideal open-space environment. This reduces their ability to see potential threats and may make your dock less appealing.

By removing food sources and nesting areas, you can make your dock less attractive to geese. However, keep in mind that geese can be persistent, and you may need to use a combination of tactics to effectively deter them.

Frequently asked questions