How to Keep Geese from Ruining Your Lawn

By Jorge Melo

If you’ve ever walked outside to find goose droppings on your grass or a noisy flock taking over your property, you already know how frustrating it can be. In our 35 years of business, we’ve seen just how much goose damage to lawns can cost Massachusetts homeowners — from eroded turf to contaminated ponds. So, what can you do to deter geese from your lawn, and how can New England Tree & Landscape help?

The answer starts with a mix of habitat changes, repellents, and professional goose control services that are both humane and effective. With the right approach — and our help using Flight Goose control products — you can keep geese off your lawn safely and legally. Let’s break down exactly how it works.

How to keep Geese out of your yard

Understanding geese behavior

Where do geese come from?

Massachusetts geese used to migrate south every winter, but many now stay year-round thanks to mild winters, safe nesting areas, and endless food from manicured lawns. These “resident geese” thrive in places like New Bedford and Fairhaven, where lush grass and nearby ponds give them everything they need.

Do geese lay eggs?

Female geese typically lay 4–6 eggs per clutch from March through July. During nesting, they become highly territorial and aggressive. They’ll hiss, flap, and even charge at anyone nearby — including pets — which makes lawn maintenance a challenge.

Are geese dangerous?

They can be. Beyond aggressive behavior, Goose droppings on grass carry bacteria and parasites that create health risks and pollute local waterways. Over time, repeated grazing and foot traffic can turn healthy turf into bare patches of mud.

Signs you have a Goose problem

• Constant droppings on the grass and walkways

• Bald or eroded lawn areas near ponds

• Loud honking and aggressive birds during spring and early summer

• Visible nests near water features or islands

• Flocks returning daily, even after you scare them off

When you see these signs, it’s time for a humane yet effective response.

Humane ways to keep geese away

1. Install physical barriers

Geese prefer walking from water to grass. Adding low fencing or shrubs near ponds limits access. A 24-inch fence or dense vegetation can make a big difference.

2. Modify the landscape

Tall grass and ornamental shrubs around open spaces reduce visibility for geese. They feel unsafe when they can’t see predators clearly. Letting certain areas grow higher can discourage grazing.

3. Use goose repellents

Products like Flight Control Max, which contain anthraquinone repellent, work by making grass taste unpleasant while creating mild digestive irritation. Other repellents use methyl anthranilate, a grape-scented compound that naturally deters birds. The best time to apply goose repellent is early spring before nesting season. Reapply after mowing or heavy rain.

4. Employ noise deterrents

Sound can help if used strategically. Motion-activated noise makers or predator calls can disrupt flocks — just make sure to rotate devices so geese don’t adapt.

5. Introduce a dog

A trained dog can patrol your yard and chase geese without harming them. Border collies are especially effective for humane goose control.

6. Manage water features

Geese love landing and nesting near water. If you have a pond, consider adding floating devices, motion sprinklers, or a thin fishing line grid across the surface to reduce access.

Why goose droppings are more than a nuisance

Each goose produces nearly a pound of waste daily. Besides being unsightly, droppings spread E. coli and other pathogens. Over time, these contaminants can wash into ponds or storm drains, harming water quality. That’s why goose control services aren’t just about looks — they protect your property’s health and safety, too.

How Flight Control works (and why we use it)

At NETL, we use Flight Control Max, an EPA-approved, professional-grade goose deterrent for lawns. It works in two ways:

1. It gives grass a harmless UV coating that geese can see but humans can’t. The coating signals danger, making them avoid treated areas.

2. It creates mild digestive irritation that conditions them not to feed on your lawn again.

This dual action provides long-lasting Canada geese control in Massachusetts without harming the birds or your turf.

Legal, regulated hunting in Massachusetts

Massachusetts allows regulated goose hunting seasons to help manage resident populations. However, this should only be done under proper licensing and within designated seasons. For most property owners, it’s safer and more effective to rely on professional goose deterrent in Massachusetts instead of direct hunting.

State-specific solutions – Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife encourages homeowners to stop feeding geese, install barriers, and apply for a Massachusetts egg addling permit if nests are causing damage. Remember: under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it’s illegal to harm, capture, or remove geese or eggs without authorization.

NETL follows all legal goose control guidelines to keep your lawn protected and compliant.

Geese control for commercial and municipal properties

Golf courses, apartment complexes, and business parks across Bristol County and Plymouth County often struggle with large flocks. Our commercial goose control plans include routine Flight Control applications, shoreline maintenance, and scheduled follow-ups to prevent re-infestation.

What to expect from a professional goose control visit

When you contact us, we’ll:

• Inspect your property for nesting areas and feeding zones

• Identify high-traffic pathways from water to grass

• Recommend the best combination of repellents, barriers, and maintenance

• Apply Flight Control Max safely and effectively

Each visit is followed by a brief report and reapplication schedule to ensure consistent results.

The best time of year for goose control

The ideal time to begin treatment is early spring, before nesting and molting. Once goslings hatch, adults become aggressive and harder to move. Late fall is another good window for preventative maintenance, as geese return to overwintering sites.

Why goose repellents fail (and how to fix it)

Many homeowners try sprays that wear off too quickly or apply them inconsistently. Others cut the grass too short, reducing repellent effectiveness. At NETL, we ensure consistent coverage and coordinate timing with mowing schedules to keep results long-lasting.

Preventative measures

To keep geese off your lawn year-round:

• Stop feeding them.

• Let shoreline grass grow taller.

• Reapply repellents regularly.

• Rotate deterrent strategies so geese don’t adapt.

• Contact NETL early in the spring or fall for professional help.

Call the professionals at New England Tree & Landscape

When geese turn your yard into their hangout, you don’t have to tolerate it. Our team provides humane goose control that keeps your property clean, safe, and beautiful. We proudly serve Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Marion, and surrounding areas with full-service landscaping and lawn care solutions.

Need winter maintenance, too? We also offer snow removal to keep your driveways and walkways clear through the cold months.

Call us today at (508) 763-8000 or visit newenglandtreeandlandscape.com to

schedule your free consultation.

FAQ about lawn pests and NETL

1. What lawn pests does NETL handle besides geese?

We manage moles, grubs, ticks, mosquitoes, and other damaging pests through integrated pest management and safe product use.

2. When should I apply goose repellent?

For best results, apply Flight Control Max or similar repellents in early spring and after heavy rainfall or mowing.

3. Is goose control safe for pets and wildlife?

Yes. Our repellents are non-toxic and environmentally safe. They’re designed for humane goose control that won’t harm your family, pets, or local wildlife.

4. Do you offer commercial services?

Absolutely. We specialize in commercial goose control for golf courses, schools, apartment complexes, and municipal properties.

5. Why choose New England Tree & Landscape?

With decades of experience in lawn care in New Bedford, MA, lawn care in Marion, MA, and surrounding towns, we understand local soil, grass, and seasonal behavior. We provide tailored, long-term solutions that protect your property year-round.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

It’s important to know that all geese — including Canada geese — are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This law makes it illegal to harm, capture, or remove migratory birds, their nests, or their eggs without a permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Violations can result in serious fines and penalties.

That’s why our goose control services focus on humane goose control methods — using repellents like Flight Control Max, shoreline vegetation barriers, and other legal goose control solutions approved for use in Massachusetts.

Citations

“How to Keep Geese off of My Property.” WildlifeHelp.org, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 2024.

“How to Keep Geese from Ruining Your Yard.” Agronomic Lawn Management, 2024.

“Why Geese Love Your Lawn and How to Change That.” San Mateo Daily Journal, 2024.

“Learn About Canada Geese.” Mass.gov, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 2025.

“Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2024.