Neighborhood Watch: Barn Owls
By Tiffany Watkins

A pair of owls moved into the barn owl box on the property of Tom and Connie Parham. Photo courtesy of Tom Parham

San Diego Country Estates residents Tom and Connie Parham have called on owls to help them keep their property's rat population at bay.

To attract the owls to their yard, the couple built and installed an owl box, hoping to lure an owl or two, which in turn could feast on the rats on the couple's property.

After completing some research on the best owl box design, Tom went to work on a box that would attract barn owls, which weigh about 20 ounces, have a wing span of 43 inches and are about 15 inches long.

Since the Cedar fire, the couple has been plagued with rats, Tom said, adding that he has killed about 90.

The couple's owl box has a 6-inch hole in front and a 4-inch stand for perching purposes on the outside of the box.

Tom and Connie set up the owl box last year in November, and a pair of owls moved in the first week of December. Soon, the owls raised two babies, who have since flown the coop, so to speak.

To combat the heat this summer, the owls have moved out of the box and are now residing in nearby palm trees, according to the couple.

The couple often finds regurgitated rodents in a ball the size of a mouse full of bones and hair, below the owl box and the palm trees.

One drawback is that the owls are in danger of becoming poisoned if they eat rats that have been poisoned.

The area also has other breeds of owls such as screech owls that make a lot of noise and horned owls that are much bigger than barn owls, Connie added. But their box is designed for barn owls; therefore, other types don't try to enter the box.