University evidence proves Dalen owl decoys really do scare pests. Dalen’s scare owls have been studied at schools like Linfield College and Cornell University — reporting that the plastic owls are effective deterrents for controlling pests. See our product reviews to find customer testimonials.

Yes, your garden owls will stop working if you do not use them properly! Cornell University reports that plastic owls stop working after a few days. Fake bird deterrent statues are simply a tool, and your job as the gardener is to put your scare owl to correct use. People who are unhappy with our owls typically never move them. You can’t just put it in place, leave it there, and expect it to work! Animals are observant and, with enough time, will figure out that it is a garden decoy! Gardeners who leave their scare owl in the same spot season after season seem to prefer the garden decoration over a functional scarecrow device that really works. 

Natural Enemy Scarecrows work through biomimicry, and a motionless animal isn't lifelike. If you set up an owl and leave it in place for the whole season, pests can easily adapt to its presence, even if its head spins. We recommend using our Natural Enemy Scarecrows as needed and keeping them indoors when out of use.

We recommend moving your garden owl decoy every day. University tests report that the owls work for a few days at a time, but we think it's better to move it before it becomes ineffective. We realize moving the owl daily can be difficult for many people. We offer mounting brackets to make the job easier; simply set up the three brackets in three separate locations and move the owl to a different bracket every day. Other than that, we suggest keeping your owl indoors when out of use. Prevent smart critters from adjusting to your fake owl’s presence when you don’t actively need to protect your harvest!

The rotating-head scare owl does have an advantage over the fixed-head Great Horned Owl because the wind can make it appear more life-like, giving it a sense of movement even when it's mounted in place. While a moving head has a real advantage, the most important aspect of any of our owls is the large size. A big, threatening silhouette with piercing eyes is the menacing scare factor for a pest. If you use your owl decoy for birds, it’s best to reposition your rotating head owl daily, as critters like these will become acclimated to its presence if it sits still, even with a turning head.

Our motorized owl heads work consistently better than the wind-powered version. Windy days can be unpredictable. Cool mornings can have stagnant airflow, with breezes picking up when it heats up later in the day. A motorized owl is more reliable, with the tradeoff that you must keep it in a place where it can stay charged. The solar-powered SOL-R owl spins on a timer, rotating randomly every few minutes. For an instantaneous, motion-sensing response, shop TIGER OWL with an actively turning head that pans back and forth as soon as any pest intrudes within the vicinity.

The camera owl will not work as well as our other owls if you keep it mounted in a single location. Unlike the SOL-R and TIGER OWL, the BIRDWATCHER Camera Owl can be more difficult for gardeners to move around from position to position. The power cord could limit its reach without a generous extension cord. But even with an extension cord, the camera owl must be perched within wifi range. 

A limited wifi range could further restrain potential mounting positions. Wifi repeaters and extenders can certainly help, but many home internets have a wider reach than you might expect. We recommend setting up mounting brackets in locations close to your house, within reach of your wifi, and with a long enough extension cord. 

Move your camera owl around every day if possible. The BIRDWATCHER camera owl is just as scary as our other owls and perhaps even scarier because it is actually watching! With the correct setup, the BIRDWATCHER camera owl might be the most effective owl ever built, as long as you take the time to reposition it as needed. The camera lens inside the owl’s eye can follow any motion it detects. It doesn't get much scarier than having an owl head turn, eyes fixed, and piercing gaze that watches you as you move about the garden!

Not necessarily! Great Horned Owls are a great tool for any gardener and a must-have for any yard that struggles with unwanted critters. No one likes bird droppings or goose poop on their deck, dock, and balcony. But remember, garden owls are only one tool in your toolbox. Be prepared to tackle your problems from different angles.

We have supplemental scarecrow devices like reflective tape and hanging disks. Heavy-duty animal barriers like our Bird-X bird netting and Deer-X deer netting are also prudent precautions for securing your property. Fake owls synergize with defensive barriers. Add additional scarecrow devices and team up to deter those pesky varmints!