Farmers Eye Falcons as Nature’s Pest Control
Vintners in New Zealand are considering using falcons to control sparrows and green finches that are causing heavy damage to their crops. One agricultural expert estimates the damage caused by bird pests could total 20 million to 30 million dollars a year.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Johan Spaedtke.
Falcons are a good solution because they are environmentally friendly and will naturally chase away or kill the smaller birds. However, they are not a permanent solution because you have to continually use them year after year, as the sparrows and finches will always return. You also have to continually pay for the upkeep of the falcons, and possibly employ a falcon trainer. There are commercial products that will not harm either the birds or the environment and are proven to be effective for decades. Yes, a permanent solution to save crops from birds that are a pest.
Bird-X
[...] Falcons as Nature’s Pest Control Published in March 14th, 2008 Posted by Pest Control in Pests ceara08 wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptVintners in New Zealand are [...]