Sorry, but that owl decoy won’t stop critters from destroying your crops

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 22, 2026

Owl decoys are essentially scarecrows for birds. These statuettes made to look like the predatory birds are said to keep birds away from your property if you are having avian issues. But do owl decoys actually work? Griffin Dill, integrated pest management specialist at the University of Maine, said, pest experts have found owl decoys to be limited in how long they are effective. Even the most skittish prey animals are wise enough to figure out that the scary statue isn’t likely to cause them any harm. “To improve the effectiveness of decoy owls, frequently change their position and add the element of movement by placing streamers nearby or dangling the decoy from a rope,” Dill said.