Help California farmers and ranchers are getting some help from Mother Nature in controlling damaging insects, rodents and other pests. Farmers are encouraging bats, burrowing owls, kestrels and other winged friends to reside on farms and ranches. Some farmers are using bats to control nighttime flying insects such as moths, stinkbugs and naval orangeworm.
Farmers encourage bats to establish residency on farms by building bat boxes.
About 200 bats can pack themselves into a one square-foot space. Bats from a single colony can consume millions of insect pests each growing season. Vineyard and orchard owners are also using barn owls to keep rodent populations in check. Farmers provide nests for owls on the perimeter of their property. During the night and early morning hours, owls swoop down to feed on burrowing squirrels and gophers.