http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/barn-owls-to-control-rodents/ The Dean of Home Renovation & Repair Advice Mon, 27 May 2013 18:06:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/barn-owls-to-control-rodents/#comment-581877 Rosa M Diaz Mon, 27 May 2013 14:41:00 +0000 http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/?p=24150#comment-581877 Thanks for the advice. I am rodent-o-phobic. I can literally have a heart/panic attack from seeing those pests. I live in an area where farms and food factories are near. I have seen rats dead on the streets. In some ways I am like the owls because I can see the mice and rats from far, but instead of getting them, I run away and hide. It's funny right now but not at the moment that is happening. I am interested in getting an owl so I will definitely be contacting the animal control dept. Thanks for the advice. I am rodent-o-phobic. I can literally have a heart/panic attack from seeing those pests. I live in an area where farms and food factories are near. I have seen rats dead on the streets. In some ways I am like the owls because I can see the mice and rats from far, but instead of getting them, I run away and hide. It’s funny right now but not at the moment that is happening.
I am interested in getting an owl so I will definitely be contacting the animal control dept.

]]> http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/barn-owls-to-control-rodents/#comment-579787 Maggie Rufo Sun, 26 May 2013 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/?p=24150#comment-579787 Hi, I'd like to add some comments to your article. An important thing left out, when considering a barn owl box, is that you must NEVER, EVER use any rodent poisons on your property, and it's a good idea to talk to your neighbors about that as well. When rats or mice or gophers eat poison, it takes them several days to die. During that time they become weakened and thus easy prey for any beneficial predator. The poisoned rodent will then poison the animal that eats it. One poisoned rat brought home to feed baby owls could wipe out the whole nest! Secondary poison is a serious problem - you can learn more at http://www.hungryowl.org and http://www.raptorsarethesolution.org. Regarding "keeping" barn owls. There is no way anyone should do that and permits would only be given to a license falconer. Most falconers do not work with owls, unless they are captive bred species non-native to the U.S., as they more difficult than hawks. It is absolutely illegal to disturb a nest of owls in any way or to remove the nest while it is in use. Barn Owls and their young can be quite noisy during the breeding season, which lasts about four months, consider that before placing a box as you cannot remove the box once the nesting begins. Also, you must live in barn owl habitat for a box to have a chance of attracting owls. The Hungry Owl website has information on that. A great, and easy, camera to use for safe observation is the Hawkeye Night Owl camera available online. Hi, I’d like to add some comments to your article. An important thing left out, when considering a barn owl box, is that you must NEVER, EVER use any rodent poisons on your property, and it’s a good idea to talk to your neighbors about that as well. When rats or mice or gophers eat poison, it takes them several days to die. During that time they become weakened and thus easy prey for any beneficial predator. The poisoned rodent will then poison the animal that eats it. One poisoned rat brought home to feed baby owls could wipe out the whole nest! Secondary poison is a serious problem – you can learn more at http://www.hungryowl.org and http://www.raptorsarethesolution.org. Regarding “keeping” barn owls. There is no way anyone should do that and permits would only be given to a license falconer. Most falconers do not work with owls, unless they are captive bred species non-native to the U.S., as they more difficult than hawks. It is absolutely illegal to disturb a nest of owls in any way or to remove the nest while it is in use. Barn Owls and their young can be quite noisy during the breeding season, which lasts about four months, consider that before placing a box as you cannot remove the box once the nesting begins. Also, you must live in barn owl habitat for a box to have a chance of attracting owls. The Hungry Owl website has information on that. A great, and easy, camera to use for safe observation is the Hawkeye Night Owl camera available online.

]]>