A Sustainable Rat Management Model in Rice Field by Natural Propagation of a Local Predator, the Barn Owl, Tyto javanica

The barn owl (Tyto javanica) is a prevalent species found in Malaysia and has a worldwide distribution, with the exception of the Arctic area. Due to their ability to prey on rodents, they are considered very efficient biological control agents for managing rodent pests in agroecosystems. This chapter provides a concise analysis of the ecological function of Tyto javanica in agricultural areas in Malaysia and their propagation in rice fields. This text examines the possible use of these organisms as a part of integrated pest management (IPM) and ecologically based rodent management (EBRM). The efficacy of using this species may be evidenced by the assessment of rodent-induced agricultural damage, the computation of the rodent populace in the impacted area, and the surveillance of nest box occupancy. Other subjects for discussion include the study of barn owl ecology and the core principles of increasing the barn owl population in rice fields. It is advisable to combine the use of barn owls for rat control with other approaches, such as biorodenticides and cultural controls. Nevertheless, it is important to use prudence while employing chemical control methods in order to mitigate the potential hazard of secondary poisoning for barn owls or other nearby predators.