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Hooray for Bats!

© Eileen O'dea

Bats, there not just for Halloween any more.

OK, Their a little creepy, they look a little scary, and they are usually known as " little flying rodents". But I beg you to take another look. They really are beneficial. They just haven't found the right PR firm yet. Or have they?

Bats are becoming more and more popular, with farmers and gardeners. Why? They eat bugs. A single bat can eat thousands of them a night. Fruit eating bats are essential for dispersing seeds in the tropical forests. Nectar eating bats are essential for pollination of Many of tropical plants. And Bat guano, (droppings), is a valuable fertilizer in many countries.

One of the most often heard misconception about bats is that they carry Rabies. In fact, only 1% of bats carry rabies. An infected bat rarely becomes as aggressive as other mammals infected with the decease.

The most inconvenience they will cause, is when they decide to roost in your attic. The Guano quickly starts to smell very offensively. To avoid this, simply close off any holes, in the house, that they can get into.

If you really want to reduce the insect population, in your yard, welcome the bats with open arms. Well, with a bat house, at least. Here are some ways to attract bats to take up residence in your backyard.

Water

Ponds, streams, and creeks are the best place to see bats. The natural water attracts insects, and the insects attract the bats. If you aren't lucky enough to have a natural pond, there are pond kits available at your garden centers.

Roosting Sites

In my yard, we rely on several dead trees, for our bats to roost on. They provide a natural habitat for the little guys. Colony-roosting bats will use holes and crevasses, n the decaying trees, for their roost. Solitary bats like to roost on the trunks of live trees. Their color, and the leaves provides the perfect camouflage. You can also find roosting bats in piles of logs, large bushes, and out buildings, such as barns and sheds.

Gardens

If you choose to, you can grow a bat garden. You will want to grow flowers that release their fragrance at night. Such as; Sweet Rocket, Evening Primrose, and Sapwort. The birds will feed on the nectar, as they fly through the night. You can also grow certain herbs for your bats, such as; Chives, Borage, and lemon Balm.

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