Israeli agronomists have come to realize that chemical pest control harms the environment and is unhealthy. They started using birds of prey that eat the rodents. This method of pest control is now being exported to our neighbors in Jordan where dozens of nesting boxes have been placed in their fields.

Ma'ariv nrg 12.19.2006

An extraordinary cooperation on both sides of the Jordan River: The International Center of Bird Migration Study in Latrun, a joint venture of the Society for the Protection of Nature and Tel Aviv University, is initiating a biological pest control project in Jordan. 25 nesting boxes have been placed in the Fahel region in the eastern Jordan valley, with plans to expand the project to other areas in Jordan.

Biological pest control is done naturally by birds of prey, like falcons and owls, arriving at the field and preying on the rodents that are causing damage to the crops. This method is becoming more and more popular in Israel, as a healthy and environment-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

In recent years it has become apparent that chemical pesticides pollute the soil, the ground water and the quality of the produce is obviously compromised. These chemicals also harm the natural vegetation and wildlife in the area.

In Sde-Eliyahu, the benefits of biological pest control have been recognized long ago, and nesting boxes of falcons and owls are placed in its fields and the prey birds efficiently eliminate the pests' population

This project has been successfully implemented in fields near Jericho in the Palestinian Authority, and, as mentioned above, in Jordan

The international Bird-watching Center in Latrun, the Society for the Protection of Nature and project manager in Sde Eliyahu Mr. Shaul Aviel approached General Mantzur Abu Rashad, Chairman of the ACPD organization which serves as liaison for economical projects between Jordan and Israel, and with the support of the Cleveland Jewish community, launched the project.

Says Mr. Yossi Leshem, head of the International Bird-Watching Center in Latrun: "the Jordan project has been challenging. The farmers had to be convinced to except the owls as beneficial, because according to a common belief in the Islamic world, they bring bad luck. The falcons, on the other hand, are so popular in Jordan that people like to hunt them and keep them as pets.
One of the main objectives in this cooperation was to bring farmers and hunters to participate in placing the nesting boxes and to become advocates of the project and the idea behind it."