Owls are some of the most impressive predators in the UK, and they can also be a great ally in the fight against rats and mice in your garden – if you know the right ways to attract them
Everyone adores robins and these charming little red-breasted birds remain amongst the most treasured and cherished feathered friends in British gardens.
However, if you’re seeking something rather more thrilling, there’s a method to entice owls into your outdoor space too. These magnificent night-time predators rank among the most remarkable creatures across our rural landscape, with wildlife enthusiasts consistently delighted to catch sight of one in nature.
Not only does witnessing one of these silent hunters provide a breathtaking experience, but they also hunt mice and rats, assisting in clearing your garden of potentially illness-carrying vermin simultaneously.
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Garden specialists at Green Feathers reveal there are steps you can implement now to ensure owls return to your garden repeatedly, reports the Express.
They explained: “Owls are more likely to come to your garden if there’s enough shelter, food, water and hunting perches (e.g. plenty of tall branches to hunt from) to fulfil all of their basic needs.
“Owls typically don’t build their own nests, preferring to commandeer the unused nests of other birds or use spaces like tree hollows and even man-made structures to nest and lay their eggs. Barn owls got their name from their tendency to nest in convenient hollows and high places in agricultural buildings, which also gave them access to rats and mice in barns as a reliable food source.
“If you don’t live on a farm, you can still attract owls into your garden by creating an appealing nesting spot. Owls will also be particularly tempted if you have a lot of open, grassy space for catching rodents, lots of high spots (like tall trees or buildings) for searching for prey, and a secluded nest in a high place where they can rest, eat and lay their eggs.
“To create your own owl nest, you can use wire to make an open bowl-like shape and then cover this structure with a material like roofing felt. Then, add sticks, twigs and wood chippings to make it more appealing to owls for nesting.
“While larger owls may prefer this open nest structure, many smaller owl species in the UK (such as the little owl) will appreciate an owl nest box.
“You can either make your own nest box or buy a pre-made one that’s already designed for owl use, such as our Handmade Wooden Owl Box or Tawny Owl Box. Our nest boxes and bird boxes are all made from high-quality wood to ensure they stand the test of time, even in damp British weather conditions.
“Our nest boxes are also super easy to install – just make sure you place your bird box at least three metres above the ground if you want to attract owls, and add a material like wood chippings to the floor of the box to make it more cosy for nesting. After your nest box is in place, you’ll only need to clear it out roughly once a year to get rid of excess debris and pellets.”
Another top tip for attracting owls is to steer clear of rat poison. This is because barn owls end up consuming the poison when they hunt and kill rats that have ingested the poison, which can accumulate in owls’ systems over time and ultimately prove fatal.
Green Feathers advises: “If you want to attract owls into your garden to tackle a rat problem, ensure your garden is devoid of rat poison and rat traps – trust the owls to manage the issue for you.
“Never attempt to use rat poison as well as owls to address a rat problem, as you can inflict significant harm on wild owl populations.”
Lastly, you should also make efforts to prevent excessive light in your garden overnight. This is because light pollution will deter owls from visiting your garden as the light hinders their hunting efficiency.
Green Feathers added: “To make your garden more owl-friendly, you need to reduce light pollution at night. Keep lights turned off if possible or invest in motion-activated lighting instead.
“This will keep your home protected by illuminating shadowy corners if a potential intruder approaches, without disturbing the owls in the area.”
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