How to Chase Away Owls

Owls can be beautiful additions to your garden or yard.

Owls can be a great help to a homeowner because they scare away or eat many of the pests that can plague your home, such as mice or smaller nesting birds that can build nests on your house, such as swallows. If your resident owl is threatening your pets or is more of a nuisance then a help, you can attempt to scare away the owl on your own. Never try to kill an owl, because this act is prohibited under the United States Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken wire
• Hammer
• Nails
• Whistle, optional
• Shell crackers, optional
• 12-gauge shotgun, optional
• Scarecrow, optional
• Pinwheel, optional

Instructions

1. Call your local Department of Natural Resources or your area US Fish and Wildlife Service to find out local laws or ordinances about scaring away your owl. They can advise you as to what you can legally do to get rid of the owl, as well as offer valuable advice.

2. Keep pets and livestock, like chickens, inside and hire a professional exterminator to get rid of any rodents on your property. According to the United Wildlife Control website, many owls are attracted by the possibility of easy prey. If you get rid of the food, the owls might leave.

3. Remove the owl nest while the owl is away and cover the nesting area with chicken wire. Secure the wire to the structure or area so the owl can't tear the wire off and rebuild the nest.

4. Blow a whistle or toss something that makes noise in the direction of the owls when you see them. If you live in a rural area, you can purchase shell crackers, or shells that explode and make noise, for 12-gauge shotguns. Be careful not to hit the owl or you may injure it.

5. Hire a local pest control specialist to trap the owl and remove it. You may be able to do this yourself, but local ordinances or state laws often require that an expert does the trapping and relocation to prevent injury to the owl.

Tips & Warnings

• Devices such as scarecrows or pinwheels placed near the owl nest only deter owls for a short time. You can try them, but they are unlikely to be a long-term solution for an owl problem.

References

• Barn Owl Boxes: Benefits and Advantages of Barn Owl Boxes
• United Wildlife: Hawk Control and Owl Control
• AA Animal Control: How to Catch an Owl