For years, I have felt that bats were in need of – and deserved – some help from a few good PR folks. After all, they have a horrible image – thanks in part to cheesy horror films and absurd myths.
But consider this: One member of just one species – the little brown bat – can consume up to 1,000 insects in just one hour. Since each hunts and feeds for around four hours each day, that's 28,000 fewer mosquitoes, wasps, and gnats that will be around to bug you each week.
And those myths? They're the answers to a mosquito's fondest dreams. But contrary to popular folklore:
- Bats do not suck people's blood.
- Bats are no more likely to carry disease than any other mammal
- Bats are not blind, nor do they get their kicks from getting tangled in someone's hair
- Bats do not gnaw wood, build nests, or cause damage to buildings
In fact, little brown bats make significant contributions to our ecosystems. Smart farmers entice bats to their crops to help keep the insect population down, reducing the need for harmful and expensive pesticides. Little brown bats pollinate flowers and disperse the seeds of many trees, shrubs, and plants.
Not convinced yet?
Experts in government and elsewhere have found that "bat droppings (guano) in caves support unique organisms including bacteria useful in detoxifying wastes, improving detergents, and producing both gasohol and antibiotics. In some areas, guano is used as a nitrogen rich, organic fertilizer."
In addition, their hunting habits have helped develop mobility aids for people with visual impairments.
Today, along with an image problem, little brown bats are facing a crisis that threatens their very survival in North America. A mysterious disease called
white nose syndrome is threatening the entire species, killing up to 90 per cent of the population in some areas. It won't be easy for the species to recover either as a female gives birth to only one pup (in some cases twins) each year.
If you can rise above the ick factor,
Bat Conservation International – a kind of PR agency for bats – has some ideas on how you can help.
At the very least, make sure our governments take proactive action to help little brown bats survive.
Unless you WANT the mosquitoes to win.
