This year has been quite the adventure. Oh, the things we have done and learned. We have received many lessons that we didn’t want. We listened to the lessons and they offered us clues to the imbalances present on our farm. One of these lessons involved owls and mice.
Blessedly, we have owls. The barred owl pictured in the photo sits on a cage that protects a pecan tree in our lower orchard. The problem is that the current mice (and unfortunately pack rat supply) outnumber the owls’ appetites. We learned this when someone came by to work on a piece of equipment and a mouse ran across his feet.
First we got mouse repellent to solve this problem. We bought the non-toxic kind but it repels mice, people, etc. It just stinks.
Then, I remembered owl houses. So, I got online and purchased some. We purchased ours from the Barn Owl Box Company. I chose not to get wooden boxes because I read that they can easily be taken over by bees. Today the first owl box was installed. This future owl residence is specifically designed to attract barn owls. In the picture you can see the owl box from the inside of the barn. On the outside of the barn, there is a small hole where the owl can enter. I also purchased some screech owl houses which you can apparently use in gardens in more populated areas.
I hope we have a barn owl family take up residence here in our barn for many years to come. Owls are magnificent managers of rodent population. And, there is no poison involved. I hope our land will feed them well.
Stay tuned to see who wins. . .owls vs mice 2025. In the meantime, support owls. They are stunning creatures and magnificent hunters!