You might be surprised, if you put one up, to find that there are many owls around you and since they feed mostly on rodents they can help you control those. I have a nest box mounted on a tree out back 12 feet up that they use every year, nothing fancy just a plain wooden box.

That's great  what good news. I'll start scouting locations.

Barn Owls are outstanding at controlling voles, rats and mice.

Many vineyards in California use Barn Owl nest boxes to control rodents, so they do not have to use poisons.

Excellent Barn Owl Box plans can be found on this web page:
http://www.crbo.net/barnowlbox.html

The longer nest box designs are better, since the young Owls can hide in the end away from the opening. That way, Great Horned Owls and other predators cannot grab them.

Excellent. nativesnut, thanks for the plans and tip. Please post if you or someone you know has done this and has other tips for success.

I just discovered a nesting pair on top of the chimney, about 40' off the ground, of the church next to my house the other evening. It is interesting because for many years past the swallows made it their home (by the 100s)for the summer. This year the swallows are around but not spending the night holed up in the chimney. Maybe the owls saw a good opportunity to use a vacant site. the chimney has a great view of our chicken coop and pen. We let the chickens out in the evening and haven't lost one yet.

Michael

How cool is that? I think it will make a great late summer project.