Bats are finally being recognized worldwide for their significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. After centuries of being misunderstood and maligned, scientists, conservationists, and environmentally-friendly people are spreading the good word about bats and trying to help protect them from decline.
Given the number of threats bats face, we all help must raise awareness about the wonders of bats and support efforts to turn their decline around.
Ways to Support Bats
While endangered and threatened bat populations are a global problem, there is a lot that individual people can do to be a part of the surging number of those going batty for bats.
Bats at Home
- Help stop the spread of bat myths by telling others the truth about bats. They are truly fascinating creatures, and the more support we can build for their protection, the more secure our eco structure will become.
- Teach your children to appreciate bats. Have fun observing them at home. Participate in bat appreciation activities that you can find on the Bativities website and for Bat Week, which takes place the last week in October.
- Buy or build a bat box for your yard. It will provide a secure space for bats to live outside. Place them in an open area facing south 10-15 feet high. Bat boxes do not attract bats but will deter them from roosting in your attic or chimney.
- Don't keep unnecessary outside lights on as they can disorient and disrupt bats. Leave that dead or dying tree right where it is, as it makes the perfect roosting site for bats. Don't do any roof or soffit repairs before checking to see if you have bats. By doing so, you will be able to humanely eliminate them during the proper season before moving forward with repairs.
- Don't do any roof or soffit repairs before checking to see if you have bats. By doing so, you will be able to humanely eliminate them during the proper season before moving forward with repairs.
- If possible, keep your cats in at night as they are predators of bats. Put a bell on their collar to warn bats if you must let them out.
- Never remove bats from your home by yourself. Contact a professional who knows local laws and regulations about humane bat exclusion.
In Your Garden
- Only use natural pesticides in your garden and around your yard. The toxins in pesticides are dangerous to the bats and kill the insects they feed on.
- Plant native plant species and flowers that bloom at night to provide more food for bats. Evening primrose, moonflowers, nicotiana, and honeysuckle are a few of their favorites.
- Provide bats with a source of water to drink, such as a pond or bird feeder. Even puddles work!
In Nature
- When hiking or traveling, stay out of mines or caves where bats are hibernating. Disturbing their rest or hibernation forces them to use up the fat reserves they need to survive the winter.
- Participate in citizen science by using the app iNaturalist on your smartphone to report and add your own observations on observed bats
- Provide bats with a source of water to drink, such as a pond or bird feeder. Even puddles work!
- Donate to important bat causes and research on white-nose syndrome. Some great organizations include Bat Conservation International, Bat World, and Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation.
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