By Georgia Osten
Now, I need a Bat House. Ever since we had our palm trees cut down, I’ve been fascinated with these little creatures.
A few years ago, we found one just outside the garage door. We think it may have been inside the garage just hanging around. It was tiny and black. When the guys cut down the big palm tree, this guy bounced out. He flopped around a bit, then he played possum. He wouldn’t move, we thought he was dead. Then, one of the guys nudged him with his rake and he took off across the yard into another tree.
Here’s some facts about bats (Thanks Clay):
- Contrary to popular myths, most bats have very good eyesight and echo-location, and so they do not become entangled in human hair.
- Bats are very clean animals, and groom themselves almost constantly
- All mammals can contract rabies; however, less than half of 1% of bats do
- Installing a bat house outside will almost surely cause any bats inside your house to move to the bat house
- Bats will not attack nearby humans. The diving motion you see is to catch insects, often around lights
- A single little brown bat can eat up to 1000 mosquitoes in a single hour
- A bat house can hold 300 bats or more (depending on its size), that’s a massive mosquito eating force
- Bat guano (excrement) makes great fertilizer.
Let’s see, what else …
I just purchased a bird bath for the garden, maybe the bats will be drawn to it as well. Especially at night.
Interested in more about bats?
[April 19-2021]
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