by Derrick |
Last Updated: February 12, 2022 Geese can be a nuisance and can cause damage to property, so many people are turning to coyotes as a way to deter them. Coyotes are not native to many parts of the world, but they are being introduced in order to help with pest control. So the question is, do fake coyotes keep geese away? There are pros and cons to using coyotes as a means of pest control.
Why Are Geese A Nuisance?
1. Geese can be a nuisance and can cause damage to property
Geese are really a general nuisance, an extended presence of geese on your property is a challenge, they will often leave unsightly droppings everyone (discussed more below), but also could damage landscaping as well as annoy the residents of the house when going outside.
2. They can produce large amounts of droppings, which can be harmful to the environment.
The biggest issue with geese is the immense amount of droppings they produce that can cause serious environmental problems and even health concerns. This is why many people are turning to various methods such as traps and decoys as a means of keeping geese away, but there are pros and cons to using coyote decoys as well (discussed more below).
3. Geese are often aggressive and territorial, and can attack people and animals
Geese are often aggressive and territorial, this isn’t ideal if you like spending time in your yard or if you have kids or pets that like to spend time outside. This is especially true if you have a goose nesting spot on your property, which geese will often do in the springtime.
4. They can be difficult to get rid of and often require professional removal services
Geese can be difficult to get rid or, the migratory patterns are often the same year over year so once you have geese once during the spring, sure enough you will likely see them again the following year.
5. Geese can be a health hazard, as their droppings can contain diseases
Geese droppings can contain the following diseases : E. coli, encephalitis, salmonella, paratyphoid fever, cholera and worms.
Geese feces usually contain the parasites cryptosporidium, giardia, coliform, and campylobacter.
Crytosporidium poses the most serious health hazard, since it causes cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidiosis is an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps.
This is why people who partake in camping and hiking are always urged to filter, purify or boil their water which if done correctly will reduce or eliminate the change of contracting cryptosporidiosis.
How Coyote Decoys Are Being Used To Deter Geese
As mentioned earlier, coyotes are not native to many parts of the world, but they at times over history have been introduced in order to help with pest control.
Coyotes are effective at deterring geese from certain areas, and many people are using fake coyotes as a way to help keep geese away.
The Pros and Cons Of Using Decoys As A Means Of Pest Control
There are pros and cons to using coyote decoys as a means of pest control. While they are not 100% effective in all situations they are used frequently with solid results.
The pros of using coyote decoys as a means of pest control are:
-They are relatively inexpensive
-They are easy to set up
-They are easy to use
-They are effective at keeping geese away
The cons of using coyote decoys as a means of pest control are:
-They are not 100% effective and in some cases geese will ignore the decoys
-If goose nesting grounds exist, they might not keep geese away from those areas
-Coyote decoys can be knocked down by strong winds or floods so it is important to ensure they are properly installed
What You Need To Know Before You Decide To Use Fake Coyotes As A Means Of Pest Control
If you were a friend or family member asking me what you need to know before using coyote decoys for pest control I would say the following:
-Ask yourself if you are willing to put up with some geese in your yard now and then because sometimes they will not be 100% effective.
-Make sure the decoys are installed properly, so use extreme care when taking them out of their box or setting them up for the first time.
-Make sure if you have a large yard that you have enough decoys as one or two coyotes might not do the trick.
-If you have doubts about how well it might work out for you, ask a friend or neighbor to see if they have had luck using them before.
How Effective Are Fake Coyotes At Keeping Geese Away?
Coyotes are effective at keeping geese away, but they can be even more effective if you layer control methods. For example, coyote decoys with sound deterrents would be even more effective.
If you cannot layer methods having ample amount decoys for your yard is the next best option.
What Are The Alternatives To Using Coyote Decoys As a Means of Pest Control?
While decoys work well you do have some other options to control geese.
First you can remove common food and water sources on your property, this will make your property less desirable and maybe they will migrate to somewhere else.
Another option is motion activated sprinklers that will shoo them away.
Another option you can try if legal to do so in your location you could remove the eggs, this will often disturb the geese and keep them from nesting in your yard in the future.
Final Thoughts
Coyote decoys are a popular and relatively inexpensive way to deter geese from certain areas. While they are not 100% effective, they are easy to set up and often provide satisfactory results. If you’re considering using coyote decoys as a means of pest control, be sure to ask around and see if anyone you know has had success with them before taking the plunge.
