Barn Owls Can Decrease Pesticide Use

Abstract

Rodents are a danger to farmers because they damage farm crops. For the last 100 years, chemical pesticides have been used to kill rodents, but these chemicals harm the ecosystem, humans, and all sorts of wildlife, including migratory birds. Barn owls may be a solution! These nocturnal birds of prey are common over most of the world and can act as biological pest-control agents. Barn owls nest near and in farm fields and specialize in hunting rodents—a pair of barn owls eliminates 2,000–6,000 rodents per year. A project using barn owls for rodent control began in Israel in 1983, with the placement of 14 nesting boxes. Today, there are about 5,000 nesting boxes throughout Israel, and the use of harmful pesticides has decreased by more than 50%. Several other countries have also joined, or plan to join, the project. This project is a unique method that promotes a healthier environment and can connect nations, farmers, researchers, and conservationists.