FAQ

 

There are mixed views among our homeowners about these geese that have been shared with me.  Some of us love them and welcome them into our yards and even feed them.  Others can’t stand them and wish they could shoot BBs at them, (a type of air gun, which of course is not at all acceptable). And then there are homeowners who have suggested putting decoys on the ponds like our Noblesville Fire Department with their pink flamingo.  Lastly, there are homeowners who have concerns about the spray we use, the cost to do so, and whether or not it’s effective. This is all great feedback (except the BB shooting idea) and legitimate questions/concerns that I would like to address to hopefully help answer.  

 

I am not a wildlife expert, so to help in my understanding of Canada geese and how the MPOA handles this effort I’ve had multiple conversations with our vendor, Landscape Solutions; and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). While there are several techniques that are used in Canada goose control, there are some that are just not practical for the MPOA to implement (e.g., building obstructions, running low-level “trip wire” to block the geese from walking in an area.)  Indiana DNR has said that regardless of the method(s) used, geese are water birds, and will be drawn to water. And with our ponds that have unobstructed views, and clear areas for geese to nest and congregate, it is the ideal “safe” place for them to be drawn to.  With that said, we most likely will not be able to eliminate them but reduce the number.  

 

This coincides with our goal of reducing their presence, not eliminating them.

 

 

In our landscaping contract, the MPOA has geese repellant.  Landscape Solutions uses a product called Flight Control PLUS which is registered with the EPA and is non-toxic.  This liquid spray is applied to the turf around the berms of our 5 ponds and the common area behind the playground equipment. The applications start in mid-March (weather pending) and go through the fall. This creates a color change in the turf that is visible to the geese, and after feeding on this treated turf they experience stomach discomfort.  As they associate the colored turf with stomach discomfort, they move on to sites with more desirable food sources. The spray becomes less effective during the summer weeks as the grass grows and is cut weekly, requiring additional scheduled applications throughout the season. 

 

 

Many homeowners that I have spoken to have indicated they do not believe it does and that our funds should be spent on something else.  Unfortunately, I don’t have a way to measure the effectiveness of the spray to provide an analytical answer.  I would just propose that we remember that the DNR stated Canadian geese are water birds that are drawn to attractive (and ideal) water locations.  We don’t want to remove this service to find out its effectiveness, potentially causing us to be reactive instead of proactive.  And to consider there’s no one size fits all solution, and that Canada goose control is a long-term process with varying procedures to help reduce the congregation of geese.  

 

 

 

In addition to repellent, some subdivisions use herding dogs for repeated visits at various times of the day to give the geese the impression that the location is unsafe due to nearby “predators”.  These dogs are specifically trained to not touch the geese but will herd or chase them to make them feel threatened and move to a “safer” location.  The less frequent the visits, the less effective.  This is NOT currently a solution that your MPOA utilizes, nor is considered as it is fairly expensive to implement, which would impact your annual dues.  

 

 

The Fire Department on 191st has from time to time added a fun pink flamingo in their pond...could we do the same?  However, could we do that in the Meadows?  The short answer is No, we cannot.  While several homeowners have volunteered to purchase and toss a decoy on the water, and we’ve had a few laughs at the kinds of decoys some envision out there; many homeowners who live directly on the ponds have expressed concern that doing so would detract the pond’s natural beauty and would be distasteful.  The MPOA agrees that doing this would not be in the best overall interest of the community.

 

• Mailbox Posts: The mailbox posts are 4x4 Cedar with a custom support.  These are not available at local hardware stores.  Since we no longer have a resident making mailbox posts, the company we recommend contacting for replacement is Otto’s Streetscape Solutions.  Their contact number is:  (317) 886-4400.  When you give them the name of our community and your address, they should already have on file the type of mailbox post that is authorized for this community. 

• Mailbox post stain: To keep your mailbox post in optimum condition, it is recommended that you clean and stain your post at least every couple of years.  The best place locally to get the stain is at Lowe’s in Noblesville.  If you go to the paint counter at Lowe’s and let the employee know that you need to stain your cedar mailbox post in the Meadows, they do have the stain color mix on file.  Just let them know that the color you need is Jefferson Tan.  They will pull a quart of stain off the shelf, and then add the right mix to the quart.  This color is not an on-the-shelf color, it needs to be mixed by the store.  The smallest size that we believe you can buy it in, is a quart size.

• Mailbox lettering: If you need to replace the lettering on your mailbox, ensure that you use Medium Sand Murray font for the vinyl letters and replace them on both sides of the mailbox.  You may be able to find replacement lettering from an online seller.  But locally we recommend contacting Logan Street Signs.  The preferred method is to email Deb at: Deb@loganstreetsigns.com  In the body of your email, let her know you need Medium Sand Murray Font vinyl lettering for both sides of your mailbox.  Provide your address and let her know you live in the Meadows.  They generally have the lettering ready within one business day.  The total cost is about $25.00.

• Mailbox: If you need to replace your mailbox, it needs to be a Medium T2 factory black mailbox.  Just a word of caution, some hardware stores sell mailboxes listed as Medium T2, but their sizing isn’t correct, and the mailboxes are much smaller.  We’d recommend contacting Otto’s Streetscape Solutions for this as well. They also offer a powder coating on the mailbox which is roughly an additional $30.00, but it does look really sharp. However, if you prefer to find your own mailbox, the measurements of the mailbox need to be as close as possible to 8” wide by 21.5” long. 

• Yard Light/Lamp post: Please ensure that your front yard light pole is operational with clear or white lights.  Some common issues with these are:
  1. light bulbs need to be replaced
  2. dusk to dawn sensor is not operational (when this isn’t functional, you’ll know because your light will remain on 24 hours a day. 
  3. the GFI outlet has tripped or is non-functional.  

 

 

• Mildew on siding: Please ensure that throughout the year you walk around your home and look for dirt/mildew forming on the siding of your home, shed, fence, etc.  If you find that you have this on your home or accessory structure (i.e., shed, pergola, fence, etc.), please remove this as weather permits.  Pressure washing your home is a sure way to clean the exterior of your home and accessory structures, but many homeowners without access to a pressure washer have found success with using a cleaner that they have bought at the local hardware store that attaches to their garden hose and with the turn of the attached nozzle on the bottle, allows them to reach the 2nd story of their home.  There are several brands available, but a few are: 

1. E-Z House Wash by Home Armor
2. House & Siding Zero Scrub by Scotts
3. 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner by The Outdoor Miracle Formula