Here’s another story about a dark, flying animal. But, says Managing Editor Tami Roleff, this one could use our help…
Although bats get a bad rap in folklore, humans are actually a bigger threat to them than they are to people. Bats provide such benefits insect control and plant pollination. All bats are protected species in California. Bats are most visible at dusk, when they emerge from their roosts to seek water and their insect prey. Depending on the species and the time of year, bats can be found roosting in groups or individually in caves, mines, crevices, under bridges and in tree hollows. People may also encounter bats in buildings, where warm, quiet attic space is available for them to raise their young. If you don’t like having bats in your belfry, the best solution is to humanely exclude them from their building roost after they’ve finished raising their young. That way, the bats can find other roosts in future years and continue to keep the insect population under control. Installation of appropriately designed “bat boxes” can help give bats a place to roost that is away from your home.
BATS WITH BENEFITS
