After my Rat/mouse-pocalypse last year, I want to put one in the backyard. Any recommendations on plans?

I'll see if I can find something on the TPWD site. I remember coming across plans there or somewhere when I was putting together a Wildlife Valuation plan.

Put a box blind up in the backyard with one window cracked. Bet they find it in no time.

I was in your boat a few years ago and did the exact same thing. I built and hung one up and didn't expect anything out of it other than a squirrel nest. Couldn't believe it when a pair showed up last spring. Don't know that it has helped with my rat problem, but they have been fun to watch. I just googled screech owl box plans.

Nest box dimensions here

http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/nonpwdpubs/introducing_birds/bird_houses/

As many rats and mice as we have had this year, you'd need them build 20-30 of them

SanAntoneAg said:

---

Nest box dimensions here

http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/nonpwdpubs/introducing_birds/bird_houses/

---

Thanks, I saw that page. Probably use those dimensions and one of the numerous plans available online.

I have long wanted to do this, but the water oaks I have I do not believe are tall enough. How high is yours mounted, Turk?

gillom said:

---

Put a box blind up in the backyard with one window cracked. Bet they find it in no time.

---

John Deere combine worked for me!

For screech owls, 10-20' is good. It is also recommended that they be on the south or east side of the tree.

More pics of hooters and owl boxes.

CanyonAg77 said:

---

gillom said:

---

Put a box blind up in the backyard with one window cracked. Bet they find it in no time.

---

John Deere combine worked for me!

---

I left the door to a metal barn open for a few days. Damn barn owl crapped all over a crackerbox welder and everything around it.

I felt dumb for not predicting that one. .... have had the inside of deer blinds ruined, so I should have known.

I assume it needs to be below major branching? And >24" diameter tree?

Close to 20'. High enough that it is never going to get cleaned out.

I built an owl box about two years ago and have never gotten owls. Squirrels have made a home out of it. It's about 15 feet up. Facing west. Its on the edge of some woods, so lots of cover behind it, but open in front. Not sure if it's just unlucky, or if I put it in a bad spot.

Do these work for barred owls?

Barred Owls will nest in a box, but it needs to be dimensioned appropriately for them. They are much more picky than Screech and Barn owls and less tolerant of people.

Barn owls are the real rat killers, I see my Screech owl eating insects mostly.