Agricultural Rodent Control Using Barn Owls: Is It Profitable?

Kan, Iddo; Motro, Yoav; Horvitz, Nir; Kimhi, Ayal; Leshem, Yossi; Yom‐Tov, Yoram; Nathan, Ran

doi:10.1093/ajae/aat097

Cited by 28 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Thirdly, one needs a viable avian population to study, which is not necessarily available in a natural setting (Devane et al, 2004;Kan et al, 2013). It requires effort, time and labour to increase avian predator densities, where this process generally involves erecting artificial nest boxes (Wood & Fee 2003).…”

Section: Number Of Articlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The barn owl is one of the most widespread avian predators in the world (Jaksic et al, 1982;Meyrom et al, 2009;Kan et al, 2013), where they are easily attracted and extremely versatile in selecting nesting sites (Colvin 1985;Lee 1998). Even though their hunting ranges might differ in size depending on season and prey availability, these owls are not migratory species, occupying and hunting in one specific area all year round (Glue 1970;Bond et al, 2004).…”

Section: Why Barn Owls Are So Frequently Considered As Biological Rodmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Are avian predators effective biological control agents for rodent pest management in agricultural systems?

et al. 2016

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Worldwide rodent pests are of significant economic and health importance.Controlling rodent pests will, therefore, not only benefit food security, but also human and animal health. While rodent pests are most often chemically controlled, there is increased interest in biological control through avian predation. A rich body of research has addressed the impact of avian predators on wild rodent populations, but little is known about the effectiveness of avian predators as biological control agents of rodent pests in agricultural systems. In this study we systematically reviewed research that investigated different aspects of avian predation on rodent pest populations in order to increase our understanding of the impact and effectiveness of avian predation on rodent pests. Several avian predators (Tyto alba, Elanus axillaris Falco tinnunculus, F. cenchroides, Bubo bengalensis, Buteo rufinus) were commonly cited in the biological control of rodents; however, barn owls (T. alba) are the most cited species (86% of studies). We found some support that the use of avian predators produced positive, measurable effects where increased presence of avian predators tended to lower rodent pest numbers, resulting in lower crop damage. However, our review highlighted several shortcomings related to research on avian predation of rodent pests. First, research concerning rodent pest control through avian predation was limited (1.86 articles per year). Secondly we found that studies lack statistical rigor to detect and measure change in rodent pest species abundance. Finally, the majority of studies were short term and therefore not able to evaluate long term sustainable rodent pest population suppression. We suggest that current shortcomings could be adequately addressed with control-treatment studies that quantitatively investigate the effects of avian predation on rodent pest populations and agricultural impact.Such research could help develop recommendations regarding the use of avian predators in rodent pest management.

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Section: Number Of Articlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Why Barn Owls Are So Frequently Considered As Biological Rodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are avian predators effective biological control agents for rodent pest management in agricultural systems?

et al. 2016

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“…Tillage is also important for the destruction of underground tunnels . Moreover, using barn owls and other biological methods has been suggested as profitable, especially where the use of rodenticide is forbidden or strongly limited legally . As there is no single technique that is efficient, economical and safe for non‐target species, it is necessary to adopt both preventive (limiting the availability of food resources and burrowing activity) and control strategies (i.e.…”

Section: Savi's Pine Volementioning

confidence: 99%

From biology to management of Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii)

Ranchelli

Barfknecht

Capizzi³

et al. 2016

Pest Management Science

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Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii) is a rodent species of the Cricetidae family, inhabiting southern European agroecosystems. It is considered to be the main cause of rodent-attributed damage in Italy. To achieve an effective management, detailed knowledge of this species is needed. However, the available information about this species is fragmentary and incomplete. In this paper, the existing knowledge of Savi's pine vole taxonomy, reproduction, population dynamics, habitat and food preferences is reviewed in order to organise available information and identify priority areas of future research. Some of the changes in farming practices that have occurred in recent decades may have increased the impact of Savi's pine vole populations in crop fields. To manage this pest species effectively, an integrated strategy is recommended (involving habitat management, trapping and, when appropriate, the use of rodenticides). The apparent lack of cyclical population outbreaks and the relatively small litter size and long gestation and interpartum period of this species suggest that it could be more manageable than other vole species, while its strict herbivorous diet, stable population size in open habitats and wide distribution seem to indicate it as an ideal model species for risk assessment studies.

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“…The majority of scientific studies on using barn owls as biological pest control agents of rodents in agriculture in Israel have concentrated on the owl's breeding biology as related to nest box design , Charter et al 2010b, Charter et al 2012, Charter et al 2015a, the effect of weather , the owl's diet (Tores et al 2006, Charter et al 2012a, Charter et al 2015b, competition between owls and other birds (Charter et al 2010a), behavioral and evolutionary ecology (Charter et al 2012c, Peleg et al 2014, and economic analysis of using owls as biological pest control agents (Kan et al 2013). One question that had remained unanswered was that of whether farmers are satisfied with barn owls as biological pest control agents of rodents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%