Integrated pest management has been practiced by years with great results in a number of countries and by a number of agricultural interests. It is a multi-disciplined approach that uses natural predators, parasites of pest species, pest resistant strains of crops, traps, and a limited use of poisons as a last resort. Using integrated pest management effectively results in lower levels of toxin exposure to humans, foodchains, and ecosystems, and it can also lower overall costs.

The barn owl has been helping man with such programs before the term "integrated pest management" was born. Naturally attracted to manmade structures, barn owls have lived close to humans since buildings came into existence. Since a family of owls can consume over 3000 rodents per year, the barn owl has always been a welcome addition to farms. Another advantage is that, once established, barn owls do the work without additional human labor.

In recent years however, the rodent suppressing abilities of this beatiful predator have attracted a growing interest among agribusinesses. In several countries, varioius enterprises have instituted highly robust programs of attracting these owls to more effective rodent control at lower costs.

Barn owls lend themselves to Integrated Pest Management schemes through their voracious appetites and large broods. And as long as there is plenty of food, barn owls are not nearly as territorial as other birds of prey. This allows the farm or plantation to attract higher than normal densities of this bird. Also, in response to higher rodent populations, barn owls will often raise more than one brood per year.

For more information on the use of barn owls for integrated pest management on farms, plantations, and vineyards, go to our Barn Owl Links page.