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10 Best Owl Boxes for Your Neighborhood Rodent Catchers to Nest In
Welcome these nocturnal hunters into your yard with a cozy safe haven.
If you're tired of rodents and insects wreaking havoc in your beloved garden, there's a clever solution you may not know about: an owl box. Owls are efficient hunters that prey almost exclusively on small rodents such as mice, voles, rats, shrews, and gophers. With hungry owls and owlets in the area, less money, time, and effort are needed for rodent control, so you can avoid pesky infestations without having to use pesticides.
There are many benefits to implementing natural pest control methods in your backyard, but the best part about owls is that these nocturnal raptors will not hurt crops or gardens, and don't require feeders or expensive seed. To encourage owls to nest in your owl box, we recommend avoiding using chemicals to kill rodent infestations. Concentrated poisons in rodents can be harmful to owls, and they will not nest if there is insufficient food. Another tip: Make sure to place your owl box at least 15-20 feet high, but be sure the opening is shaded from the sun and wind.
Observing nesting owls can be a rewarding and exciting experience, that's why we've gathered the best owl boxes to keep these nocturnal hunters safe and ready for prey.
JCs Wildlife Screech Owl Cedar Nesting Box
Handmade with cedar wood, this nesting box gets extra points for having a roof made entirely of recycled poly lumber. It also has a swinging front door for easy cleaning and features drainage holes in the bottom so you don't have to worry about flooding during a rainstorm.
STARSWR Owl Box for Outdoors
This nesting box may only fit one to two small owls, but it'll still keep them safe and protected if your yard is on the smaller side. It's handcrafted with high-quality natural wood and features a bright green top for easy spotting when mounted on a tree.
JCs Wildlife Large Barn Owl Nesting Box
JCs Wildlife Large Barn Owl Nesting Box
If you're looking to welcome a family of owls, this extra-large nesting box is perfect to mount around your yard. It’s two feet wide and nearly as tall, which provides plenty of space for even Great Horned owls. It's also loaded with special features to keep owls safe such as grip grooves, interior compartment dividers, and ventilation holes to prevent overheating.
HHWODB Owl House with Bird Stand
Best for watching owls, this nesting box comes with an added bird stand in the front for owls to perch on while keeping an eye out for prey. The waterproof asphalt material layer on top prevents this box from flooding, and the wide bottom gives plenty of room for owls to rest in after a long night of hunting,
Woodlink OWL/Kestrel Screech House
Woodlink OWL/Kestrel Screech House
Besides the well-built and attractive design, screech owls and kestrels seem to enjoy snuggling up inside this box for a comfortable respite from the day’s activities. A bag of wood shavings and two Phillips head screws (meant for mounting) come included, and the front pivots open for easy cleaning as well.
JCs Wildlife Barred Owl Nesting Box
JCs Wildlife Barred Owl Nesting Box
This owl nesting box is another one that's on the larger side, making it great for a family of adult owls. Special grip grooves on the front of the box allow for easy owl access and the clean-out door creates access to mount a wildlife camera to watch owlets grow. Just make sure to mount this one extra high to prevent other animals from getting in.
Uncle Dunkels Rustic Owl Nesting Box
Built by Kentucky artisans, this nesting box is made of top-quality wood and crafted with attention to detail. Not to mention its incredible camouflage design naturally blends into any tree! It also comes pre-built for an easy setup and even includes pine shavings to be used as nesting material for its feathered inhabitants.
JCs Wildlife Large Barn Owl Box with Exercise Platform
JCs Wildlife Large Barn Owl Box with Exercise Platform
If you're going all in with your owl nesting box setup, look no further than this large box with an exercise platform. It's currently JCs Wildlife's biggest nesting box to date and is ideal if you live on a ranch or have a vineyard. The added platform underneath the entrance is meant for young owlets to roam and learn to fly, while adult owls may perch on the edge for hunting.
WildYard Pre Built Cedar Owl House
This traditional-style nesting box can easily be mounted on any tree or high surface. The large door in the front opens up for easy cleaning and feeding access, while the durable cedar wood can withstand wear and tear.
PROLEE Cedar Wood Owl Box with Bird Stand
Made of 100% cedar wood, this nesting box contains a waterproof coating to prevent rotting and features a sturdy design that stands up against snow and wind corrosion. It also comes with pre-drilled holes for screws to help you assemble the owl house in minutes without any extra effort.
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