How to Get Rid of Geese from Your GTA Cottage

Ontario’s cottage country provides the perfect landscape for Canada geese. Quiet shorelines with minimal daily disturbance and open waterfront lawns are ideal for grazing and for geese raising their offspring in the summer months. Limited or seasonal occupancy gives them plenty of time to establish future nesting grounds.

Why Goose Control Matters for GTA Cottages

While observing young goslings is super enjoyable, your cottage experience can be negatively affected by goose droppings and all that comes with them. Areas of concern might include outdoor living areas such as:

• Waterfront lawns
• Fire pit areas
• Picnic spaces
• Shoreline seating
• Children's play areas
• Paths leading to the water
  
  

Geese Can Disrupt Swimming and Other Waterfront Activities

• Swimming access
• Shoreline entry points
• Kayak and canoe launch areas
• Family recreation
  
  

Nesting Geese Can Make Parts of Your Cottage Property Difficult to Access

Aggressive encounters due to the protective nature of a nesting pair of Canada geese before or after hatching their offspring may restrict access to walking paths and shorelines.

Goose Problems Often Return Every Cottage Season

• Site fidelity
• Annual return to familiar locations
• Increasing flocks if unmanaged
  
  

Signs That Geese Are Making Your Cottage Their Summer Home

• Daily goose visits
• Repeated grazing
• Feather accumulation
• Early nesting activity
• Family groups returning each year
  
  

Best Ways to Get Rid of Geese from Your Cottage

Cottage properties require a balance between effective Canada goose control and preserving the natural beauty of the waterfront. Successful programs combine several methods for integrated, custom goose control. Because every cottage property is unique, a custom approach ranging from habitat modification to active removal is needed. Here's where the help of an experienced bird control specialist like Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control is invaluable. Permits are needed for ALL work around Canada geese.

Trained Dogs for Goose Removal at Cottages

Trained dogs create natural predator pressure without damaging the landscape. Dog patrols should be scheduled at different times of day.

• Effective on open waterfront lawns
• Moves geese before they become comfortable
• Particularly useful on larger cottage properties
• Helps discourage repeat visits
  
  

Falconry for Cottage Goose Control

• Birds of prey (eagles) will make geese leave the area immediately.
• Falconry is suitable for larger waterfront lots and cottage associations.
• Repeated birds of prey pressure yields long-term success.
  
  

Habitat Modification to Get Rid of Geese Around Cottage Shorelines

There are fairly inexpensive ways you can modify the landscape that will discourage Canada geese from visiting your property. Anything you can do to obstruct open views, restrict access to bodies of water, or discourage grazing can help.

• Longer grass (6-8 inches)
• Native shoreline vegetation
• Shrub planting
• Maintaining natural shoreline buffers
• Reducing direct access between water and lawns
  
  

Some property owners also consider goose repellent products, although these are generally only effective when used as part of a broader goose management strategy rather than as a standalone solution.

Shoreline Fencing to Help Get Rid of Geese

Geese like to walk into water and will retreat there if they feel threatened. 

• Temporary or low-profile barriers
• Limiting goose movement between water and grass
• Seasonal installation where appropriate
  
  

Goose Nest Removal at Cottages: What Property Owners Need to Know

To be clear, only a professional should attempt to remove/destroy nests. While some forms of DIY goose control for cottage properties may help discourage geese from landing, nest removal should always be handled by licensed professionals with the proper permits.

Common Places Geese Build Nests Near Cottages

• Shoreline vegetation
• Natural embankments
• Brushy areas
• Small islands
• Quiet corners of the property
  
  

Why Early Detection Helps Get Rid of Goose Nest Problems

• Easier management
• Reduced aggressive goose behaviour
• Preventing repeat nesting in future seasons
  
  

Legal Considerations Before Trying to Get Rid of Goose Nests

Professional goose nest removal at cottages requires permits issued under federal regulations and should never be attempted without proper authorization.

Protected migratory bird permits from CWS are required before any and all work (including nest removal) around Canada geese can commence. A professional goose removal company like Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control can assist with obtaining the proper permit.

How to Prevent Geese from Returning to Your Cottage Each Year

Inspect Your Cottage Before Peak Goose Season

Observation and inspection present an essential two-prong first step to goose prevention and a long-term goose management plan.

• Spring property inspections
• Identifying previous nesting areas
• Monitor shoreline changes

Maintain Natural Shoreline Buffers

• Preserve vegetation along your cottage’s shoreline
• Avoid unnecessary clearing
  
  

Don't Leave Goose Activity Unchecked Between Visits

• Seasonal cottages may sit vacant at times, so a small goose problem can easily become a major infestation in one season.
• Consider periodic monitoring or professional inspections during extended absences.
• Develop a Seasonal Goose Management Plan
• Conduct annual inspections at your cottage property
  
  

Early intervention and a plan before nesting season and summer occupancy is a must. Remember that every successful nesting season establishes a future breeding site.

Dos and Don'ts of Goose Control at Cottages

Do

• Address goose activity early in the season
• Monitor shoreline areas regularly
• Maintain natural shoreline vegetation where appropriate
• Seek professional advice if geese begin nesting
  
  

Don't

• Wait until geese have established a routine
• Attempt to remove goose nests without understanding legal requirements
• Feed geese or allow visitors to feed them
• Rely on a single control method or summer for long-term results
  
  

Hawkeye’s Goose Control and Removal for GTA Cottage Properties

The nature of seasonal occupancy creates unique management challenges when it comes to keeping Canada geese away from cottage properties. Moreover, every shoreline is different, which means that a goose prevention and control strategy should be customized to your cottage property. Successful goose control should protect both your enjoyment of the property and its natural character.

Hawkeye has the experience and expertise in falconry, trained dogs, relocation, and integrated Canada goose control solutions that promise long-term success for all types of properties across the GTA. We tackle all levels of goose infestation and situations ranging from nest removal to geese relocation. 

Contact Hawkeye for Goose Control for Cottage Properties Across the GTA. We're Here to Help!

Our highly skilled falconers and dog operators are available for geese control at cottages all across Southern Ontario, including Toronto, Scarborough, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Ajax, Newmarket, Etobicoke, Oshawa, and Mississauga

Related Articles:
https://www.hawkeye.ca/blog/how-to-break-the-goose-nesting-cycle-and-stop-them-from-returning