We are about education, and we are here to help you!
We are about education, and we are here to help you!
It is important to use alternatives to rodent poisons and let raptors and other wild animals do their jobs.
I have included a link to the Raptor Pilot Study for Levee Protection. The Ventura County Watershed Protection District (WPD) completed the study to see if raptors such as hawks and owls can reduce ground squirrels around dams and levees. You can read about the success of the findings below.
We built two perches and put them up on 3/8/2020. We are delighted to see hawks and owls enjoying the perches. I recommend putting cameras up underneath the poles to see what birds use the perches.
We moved forward with a project in Old Agoura! Four residents will have owl boxes mounted on poles. We'll keep you posted on the progress!
Update: 1/21/2024: One box occupied!
Please note that you need to clean your owl box every year. Inspect the box in October. If it is unoccupied, remove debris. The Hungry Owl Project recommends always wearing gloves, a Tyvek suit, and an N95-rated respirator to help minimize the possible health risks of dealing with non-sterilized owl pellets. Tree of Life Rodent Control offers a service for cleaning owl boxes: Tree Of Life Rodent Control
LESSON LEARNED: Before purchasing a box, ask many questions. Find out if you need to modify the box to fit on a pole.
As for raptor perches? I LOVE THEM! However, you need to ensure the raptor poles are positioned where raptors can hunt off them. Your home may or may not be suitable for them.
At first, I wasn't sure if any raptors were landing on our perches. Now, I see action at night. Great horned owls use our perches. I notice other birds enjoy using the perches!
Below are links to more resources.
Human Wildlife Control also has great information about Owl boxes! https://humanecontrol.com/barn-owl/
Check out this information on Pole vs.Tree Installation before buying your box:
Amador Owl Boxes: http://www.amadorbarnowlbox.com/store/c2/Barn_Owl_Houses_and_Accessories.html
Raptors Are The Solution (R.A.T.S.) Outreach materials: https://www.raptorsarethesolution.org/free-outreach-materials/#Got%20Pests%20Raptors%20On%20The%20Job
Ojai Raptor Center - Barn Owl Box Guide: https://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/barn-owl-box-page
Ojai Raptor Center - Raptor T-Perch: https://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/new-page-2
CLAW Barn Owl Nesting Box Program: http://www.clawonline.org/barn-owls-nesting-project
UC DAVIS: How to Build an Owl Box: https://www.ucdavis.edu/one-health/how-build-owl-box
The Hungry Owl Project - Barn Owl Boxes: https://www.hungryowls.org/
The Modern Farmer: https://modernfarmer.com/2014/05/build-barn-owl-nest/
Check out this great video from CITIZENS FOR LOS ANGELES WILDLIFE (CLAW)
If you want to put up an owl box, it is important to notify your neighbors. If your neighbors are using poisons, one poisoned rat could kill the owl family.
CLAW provides a Barn Owl Box Program flyer you can provide to your neighbors:
Copyright © 2024 Poison Free Agoura/Coexist with Wildlife - All Rights Reserved.