Bats: The Truth Revealed

Bats are Useful
For many people, a bat conjures up thoughts of Dracula, rabies and overall distaste. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

During this time of year, we are flooded with questions about bats, such as how to attract them and what kind of housing they need. When folks call in with questions, we find that they are very excited. It appears that once folks are educated about bats, they can’t wait to have them roost in their yard. So, in the interest of our furry little friends, here are the facts - pure and simple.

The Facts About Bats
Bats have been around a long time – fossils have been found dating back approximately 50 million years. Bats are mammals and have been placed in their own group called Chiroptera which means hand-wing. While it was previously believed that bats were similar to rodents, they are actually more closely related to primates. Bats are the slowest reproducing mammals on earth producing only one young per year and, like humans, they give birth to poorly developed young and nurse them from pectoral breasts. Some bats do not give birth until they are two years old and most live a long life – a few even survive for more than 34 years.

40 Species of Bats in the U.S.
There are nearly 1000 species of bats which comprise ¼ of all mammal species. Bats are found everywhere on the planet with the exception of extreme desert and Polar Regions. There are 40 species which live in the U.S. and Canada. Only 3 species are vampire bats which live in Mexico and Central America (vampire bats feed on the blood of small mammals and poultry – not humans contrary to popular belief). Less than ½ of 1% of bats contract rabies. They are also careful groomers and are among the cleanest of animals and exceptionally resistant to disease.

The Bat's Role in Ecology
70% of bats are insectivorous and nearly 30% dine on fruit, pollen and nectar. Bats play an extremely important role in ecology. Scientists believe that 95% of reforestation of cleared lands is done by tropical bats; they drop seeds, pollinate night-blooming flowers and provide excellent fertilization. They also help the agricultural industry by eating thousands of crop damaging insects a night (not to mention benefiting your backyard) with one bat eating between 1,500 and 6,000 mosquito size bugs a night.

Bats, like dolphins, communicate with high-frequency sounds. It’s pretty amazing, but in complete and total darkness, a bat can detect obstacles as fine as a human hair. Hence, have no fear of a bat getting tangled in your hair while you're enjoying an evening BBQ. According to the Bat Conservation Institute, scientists do not fully understand the complexities of the bats’ sensing system, but estimate its sophistication to surpass any human technology by a billion times. And here’s an interesting note: bats are not blind. In fact, many species have excellent vision.

Endangered!
So now that you know the facts, bats really aren’t that creepy are they? We’re hoping that you agree that bats are quite the beneficial animal friend because they need your help. Bats are now considered the most endangered land animal in North America. So, here’s an easy way to help – put up a bat house. They’re quick to assemble and easy to hang. Many times, bats don’t have a safe place to roost or hibernate and many find themselves in attics, under shingles or in other potentially precarious places. By providing a safe, secure home bats in your area will be allowed to reproduce and stay safe between nightly feedings.

In Your Own Backyard
To put up a bat house you don’t have to have a tree in your yard – even apartment dwellers can do their part. A bat house should be hung at least 10-15 feet above ground, sheltered from the wind, and unobstructed by obstacles to flying, such as power lines. You need to keep the interior very warm, so place the house on the side of a tree or building which receives maximum sunlight, especially in the morning. If your location is not sunny enough to warm the house to 80-100 degrees required by nursery colonies, you can add tar paper or dark colored shingles to help retain heat. Do not paint or stain bat houses as the chemicals are toxic to bats. If your location is still on the cool side – don’t fret. Bachelor colonies tend to roost in cooler locations.

A bat house hung near a water source is more likely to be quickly inhabited. But beware as your bat house may be on the market for up to a year and a half – bats are picky home buyers. However, most people find bats within a few months. You’ll know by the bat guano below on the ground.

Once you are lucky enough to have bats in your new rental, here are some useful tips just in case one finds itself inside your home, garage or barn.

Hopefully this piece has enlightened and educated you about the benefit of having bats around your home. They’re a great way to cut down on pesticide use, help pollinate local foliage and trees and they provide a very nutritious fertilizer!