The Not So Dark Side Of Bats

There's nothing spooky about bats. 🦇

Although they are often accused of being pests, these winged friends actually play important roles in pest control.  Here in Indiana, bats can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes an hour. Bats also enjoy snacking on beetles, gnats, flies, moths, and other insects providing a safe, natural form of pest control.  Not only does this help protect humans from these pests, it also helps farmers protect their crops from damage and our land and food from toxic insecticides.

Sadly, more than half of all bat species are either in decline or currently considered to be threatened or endangered. Our local hoary bat (Aeorestes cinereus), is currently at risk, and here at CLC we plan to petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the hoary bat as a threatened species. A staggering 40% of bats killed by wind turbines are hoaries, and we know wind development will drastically increase in the coming decade. Add to that the fact that insect populations are plummeting worldwide, and studies suggest this species will be extinct within the next 50 years at their current rate of decline. Scientists are partnering with the wind energy industry to develop and implement solutions which will reduce these fatalities.💨🦇  Recent updates on this project can be found here: New Report Forecasts Alarming Loss of North America’s Hoary Bats - Bat Conservation International

All creatures play a part in our interconnected ecosystems, and bats are no different.  Visit https://www.batcon.org/ to learn more about their vital ecological role in the world and how you can support their wellbeing in your neck of the woods.