Today’s message is almost a guest blog. Several months ago, my friend Lisa Lawrence Brown, presented a program on bats to our garden club. I took detailed notes, and have her permission to share her interesting information with you. Since Halloween is tomorrow, it seemed a good time to pass it along.
• Bats are misunderstood. The vast majority are not bloodsuckers.
• Despite their appearance, bats are mammals, not rodents. They are the only flying mammal.
• Bats are no more likely to carry the rabies virus than any other mammal.
• There are more than 1,000 species, which equates to ¼ of the mammals in the world.
• Some species are endangered due to industry, shrinking habitat, and pollution.
• Bats are not aggressive towards people. They are not pests, but can be messy if they roost in your home or outbuildings. About 50% of bats in the US are considered endangered.
• The expression ‘blind as a bat’ is false. Bats have excellent eyesight but they rely on their “echo-location” to travel at night and find insects for food.
• Ideal nesting spots are rotted trees and caves. Two internet sources said that bat houses were usually occupied within an hour of installation.
Four benefits of bats:
1. Insect control. Every single night, they eat ¼ to ½ of their body weight in insects. An average colony can eliminate 100 tons of insects per season. Canada and Kansas are experimenting with using bats to replace farmland insecticide use.
2. Organic fertilizer. Bat poop is high in Nitrogen.
3. Great pollinators. Without bats, there would be no tequila, since the Agave plant is only pollinated by bats.
4. Bats distribute seeds through elimination.
Three ways to attract bats:
1. Provide a water source. A birdbath is adequate.
2. Use plants that bloom late afternoon or evening.
3. Offer shelter (bat houses). See internet for instructions or purchase a ready-made bat house. Preferred installation is against a building or pole rather than against a tree.
Trivia notes:
• A bat’s metabolism is so active that it can digest a mango in ten minutes or less.
• Bats are not big breeders. They have one pup per season. They enjoy a 30-year life span.
• Bats are fastidious and keep themselves very clean.
Happy Halloween!
