No rodents in California vineyards? Barn owls point to a new future for American farming as ‘fear effect’ cuts pests by up to 52% without poison

Could barn owls offer a new future for farming in America? New research in California vineyards found that areas with more active barn owls had up to 52% fewer rodents, while a powerful “fear effect” also made surviving pests more cautious, potentially reducing crop damage without additional poison.