Michigan Farmers Use Kestrels to Reduce Cherry Orchard Pests

Michigan cherry growers are installing nesting boxes to attract American kestrels, and research and farmers report lower bird damage and reduced contamination risks such as Campylobacter.

In Michigan's cherry orchards, farmers are turning to American kestrels to limit damage from smaller birds and to reduce contamination risks. Growers install nesting boxes to encourage kestrels to nest in groves. Research and growers report lower bird activity and fewer droppings in orchards with kestrels, which can reduce the presence of pathogens such as Campylobacter. The approach is part of a wider move toward biological pest controls amid stricter food safety expectations. What is known: - According to research from Michigan State University, kestrel presence reduced fruit damage by more than tenfold at occupied sites. - One participating grower reported a 15% increase in marketable fruit after introducing nesting boxes. - Kestrel nesting boxes are described in the reporting as low-cost, often under $50 per unit, compared with some other deterrent methods. - The reporting links reduced bird droppings to lower levels of Campylobacter on produce and cites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data noting potential drops in related outbreaks tied to produce. - Pilot programs and adaptations are underway in other states and crops, and teams are using tools such as drones and analytics to monitor kestrel activity and effectiveness. Summary: Kestrel programs in Michigan cherries are reported to cut both crop damage and contamination pathways, offering a nature-based alternative to nets or repeated deterrents. Growers and researchers note economic and environmental benefits, and the model is being piloted elsewhere while longer-term studies and technology-assisted monitoring continue. Policymakers and grant programs are reported to be increasingly interested, which could influence wider adoption and further research.