Bats are wonderful animals, eating up to 2,000 mosquito-sized insects each night (my kind of animal!) They use echolocation to see where they are going and actually nurse their young while hanging upside down. Even their poop (respectfully called guano) is treasured as manure and harvested for it's unique enzymes and bacteria. Best of all they don't bother humans very often, so you can enjoy all the benefits of having bats live nearby but rarely, if ever, see them. For a great video on bats and a multitude of fun facts, visit Kidz Cave.
That said, if you ever do come into contact with a bat, wake up with a bat in your room, or discover a bat in the same room with a young child, capture the bat and call the county health department. Exposed pets, even if vaccinated, will need a booster shot. The Daily Star reported Friday on a recent rabies case in our area.
Still interested in helping to restore declining bat populations and eliminate a lot of mosquitos? NY Conservationist will tell you everything you need to know about building a bat house on your property. I plan to put mine on the BACK of our property, once the kids are a little older.
