Home Page: Frequently Asked Questions

 

Geese

1. Why is there a city ordinance that prohibits the feeding of geese? While geese are an important part of nature, humans have made them feel very safe with manicured lawns and food. Geese like wide open spaces so they can see predators and they will eat grass clippings. If they have food and feel comfortable they will stay. They usually come back to the same area each year and many are now over wintering in this area. Since geese can live for twenty years they may produce many young. They can become a terrible nuisance and one goose can produce two pounds of manure per day. This manure contributes to algal growth and nutrient problems in the lake and the fecal material may contain bacteria that could cause disease. In addition, swimmer's itch is caused by a parasite that typically lives in ducks and geese and causes the "itch" in humans when it burrows into a person thinking it is a goose or duck.

2. What should I do about the geese coming into my yard? Grow a large buffer zone (let the plants grow along your shoreline). Don't feed the geese, don't let them feel comfortable. You can harass them or chase them away as long as you don't touch them. You can find many "goose gimics" (fake owls, aligators, flags, strings; all working to various degrees) on line, however, we suggest a large buffer zone which will help prevent shoreline erosion, prevent pollutants from running into the lake and be habitat for frogs, toads, snakes, butterflies and other wildlife.

Questions: Call Dan Graff at (715) 651-2467 or email at: graffd63@gmail.com