When you see dark shapes flitting across the early night sky, do you cringe or grin? It all depends on what you really know about bats.
If you take horror stories to heart, let’s set the record straight. First off, bats don’t get stuck in your hair. And only three of 13 hundred bat species feed on blood, with only one targeting mammals — and it’s restricted to Latin America. Finally, bats are not rodents. In fact, they’re closer cousins to humans than to mice.
Truth is, bats do a lot to help us out. As insect-eating machines, they’re nature’s own pesticide. Some even help pollinate crops.
Right now, bats are struggling to survive due to some daunting environmental challenges. But you can show them a little love by setting up a bat house in your own backyard. They’ll reward you by snacking on mosquitoes and flies to their hearts’ content.