How to Keep Canadian Geese and Other Nuisance Birds Away From Your Pond or Lake

Problems Associated With Nuisance Birds

There are many types of birds that visit ponds and lakes on a regular basis. Some of these birds are welcome guests that do not disrupt the waterbody or its natural inhabitants. There are other birds, however, that can become pests for a few key reasons:

1. Overfeeding on Fish: Birds like herons, cormorants, and kingfishers often prey on pond fish, reducing fish populations and causing stress among aquatic life.
2. Excessive Droppings: Birds like geese and ducks can leave large amounts of droppings, which introduce excess nutrients into the water. This can lead to algae blooms, poor water quality, and oxygen depletion.
3. Damaging Plants and Habitat: Some birds trample or overgraze on pond vegetation, disrupting the balance of plant life and damaging the habitat for other wildlife.
4. Spreading Weeds and Parasites: Birds can introduce unwanted plants or parasites by carrying seeds or organisms from other water sources, potentially harming the pond’s ecosystem.
5. Noise and Disturbance: Large flocks of birds can create noise and agitation, disturbing both the pond’s wildlife and the surrounding environment.

Managing bird populations around ponds often involves habitat adjustments, deterrents, and maintaining a balanced ecosystem to discourage overpopulation without harming the birds.

How To Deter Nuisance Birds From Your Waterbody

Deterring nuisance birds from a pond requires a combination of visual, physical, and environmental strategies to make the area less appealing without harming the birds. Here are some effective methods:

1. Visual Deterrents:

   • Decoys: Place realistic predator decoys like owls, herons, coyotes, swans, or alligators near the pond. Move them periodically to keep birds from getting used to them.
   • Moving Flag Kits: Use Bird Deterrent Flag Kits for a highly successful bird deterrent, these kits consist of a tall fiberglass pole, a long pennant(flag) available in a range of colors, and a swivel on the top of the pole where the pennant attaches so that the pennant can move freely in the wind. The constantly moving pennant scares the birds and keeps them from the area.
   • Reflective Objects: Use shiny items like reflective tape, old CDs, or scare balloons with reflective eyes to create flashes of light and movement that birds avoid.

2. Sound Deterrents:

   • Noise Devices: Use motion-activated sound machines, air cannons, or recordings of predator calls to scare birds away.

3. Physical Barriers:

   • Netting: Cover smaller ponds with bird netting, or pond cover tents made of netting, to physically prevent birds from accessing the water.
   • Fishing Line or Wire Grids: Stretch thin, visible lines in a crisscross pattern above the water to discourage larger birds like herons from landing.

4. Habitat Modification:

   • Reduce Food Sources: Avoid feeding birds and manage fish populations to prevent attracting fish-eating birds.
   • Manage Vegetation: Trim tall plants near the pond’s edge to eliminate hiding spots and nesting areas. SePRO Clearcast is a great herbicide for emergent weeds along the shoreline.
   • Add Floating Structures: Platforms or fountains can disrupt clear landing zones, making it harder for birds to approach.

5. Water Movement:

   • Aerators or Fountains: Moving water reduces algae (a food source for some birds) and makes it harder for birds to spot fish.
   • Sprinklers: Motion-activated sprinklers startle birds with sudden bursts of water.