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Cyprus has achieved a remarkable 60% reduction in rodenticide use within just three years, thanks to an innovative national plan that enlists barn owls as natural rodent hunters.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Harris Nicolaou, Coordinator of the National Action Plan for the Reduction of Rodenticides, described the results as “very promising” and emphasized that the goal is to cut back even further. “Barn owls are doing the job that chemicals used to do, efficiently, affordably, and in an environmentally friendly way,” he said.
Each barn owl pair can consume up to 6,000 rodents per year, making them a highly effective alternative to chemical poisons.
The program, launched in 2021 with an annual budget of €65,000, is a joint effort involving the Department of Forests, the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services, Game and Fauna Services, and the Cyprus Bird Association. It aims to replace toxic baits with biological control methods, using barn owls to keep rodent populations in check.
Each barn owl pair can consume up to 6,000 rodents per year, making them a highly effective alternative to chemical poisons. The initiative includes installing artificial nesting boxes in key locations, distributing them for free to farmers and municipalities, and tracking the birds’ movements through surveillance cameras and tagging.
Nicolaou highlighted Cyprus' pioneering role, noting that a recent conference in Greece recognized the island as the first country in Europe to adopt barn owls for rodent control at this scale.
Beyond pest control, the plan also aims to protect and expand the barn owl population, reinforcing the balance of Cyprus’ ecosystems while reducing the need for harmful chemicals in agriculture.
