How to treat eggs in the nest to prevent hatching in West Virginia | Canada goose

West Virginia > Animal is damaging my lawn > Canada goose

How to treat eggs in the nest to prevent hatching

Targeting goose reproduction through egg addling (shaking), oiling, or puncturing is a common way to prevent hatching and curb population growth. Federal and state regulations apply to nest and egg disturbance and treatment, so check both sets of regulations before initiating this control measure.  In order to conduct these activities, landowners must register online with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service between January 1 and June 30 of the year in which the activity will take place.

After treating the eggs in a nest, replace them so the female will continue to incubate them for the nesting season. If you simply destroy the nest or remove the eggs, the female most likely will lay additional eggs.

Geese, however, are long-lived species; most resident (non-migratory) geese residing in urban areas can live upwards of 15 years and can be productive for 12 of those years, with an average clutch size of 6.  Egg addling will halt population growth, if, and only if, >80% of the nest are treated annually.  It is very difficult to reduce the local goose population by merely halting annual production because egg addling targets the segment of the population (young) that already has the highest mortality rate. 

USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services - Management of Canada Goose Nesting Information1.33 MB

Assistance in West Virginia

Contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for a list of licensed Animal Damage Control agents in your area who can assist with animal removal, damage, damage prevention, and clean up.  Be aware that they charge for their services.  Your local Division of Natural Resources office can provide guidance regarding nuisance wildlife.  They can also provide you with a permit to remove or destroy certain animals, and advice on how to do so, if it is necessary or desirable for you to trap or shoot animals yourself.  Federally protected species require additional permits as noted if necessary.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources district offices:    

District 1       Farmington              304 825-6787

District 2       Romney                   304 822-3551                                                                                                                           

District 3       French Creek          304 924-6211

District 4       Beckely                   304 256-6947

District 5       Alum Creek             304 756-1023

District 6       Parkersburg            304 420-4550

Op Center    Elkins                      304 637-0245

Trapped animals must be humanely dispatched.  They may not be relocated without prior approval from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

Federal regulations

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to federal regulations.

Migratory birds may seek respite within trees or on buildings considered private property. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 prohibits the removal of all listed species or their parts (feathers, eggs, nests, etc.) from such property.
While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities.

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