By Staff
While flipping through one of my books, I came across a small piece about bats.
It reminded me of something I experienced last summer.
One balmy evening at dusk, I noticed a little dark bat, flap, flap, flapping as it flew back and forth (how many of you right about now are squirming, screaming, ducking and covering your heads?) in the fading twilight.
As I stood watching it, I recalled reading abut how many insects just one little bat can consume in a night (millions, every night).
Below are a few tidbits about bats:
Nocturnal.
Non-aggressive. They just want to get and be anywhere away from us humans.
Mammals, not rodents.
The best at bug control, such as mosquitoes, grain and cutworm moths, potato and any and all beetles and grasshoppers.
Favorite foods are beetles and mosquitoes; 600 mosquitoes per hour.
Can see and hear, but also communicate like dolphins with sound.
Can find their way and food perfectly in total darkness.
Don't live in bird houses. They live in dead hollow trees and caves. Only the lack of them has forced bats into our attics. They don't attack us or get tangled in our hair.
Love to be near water, lakes or ponds. If you live near one, you will probably find more bats around because of the insects.
During winter cold they hibernate.
Can live to be 20 years old.
Get ready to be uncomfortable again. It's okay to cower, cringe and get goosebumps. Bats find their way into our homes via open doors and windows and loose-fitting screens. Their favorite way is the chimney or any hole more than a half-inch in diameter.
They probably are coming in after insects and then are unable to find their way out.
Or, they may stray from roosting sites in the attic and find their way into our homes.
Often it's the young ones that become lost and enter where we are in the house.
After all, the last place they want to be is around us. They just want out!
One last thing, wild animals are just that.
Don't try to touch, pet or cuddle them, even though some might look cute.
Befriending wild animals can only lead to problems and, if they feel threatened, they will defend themselves and possibly bite.
We must teach and explain to our children not to touch any wild animals – even unfamiliar dogs and cats.
If any wild animal lets you get too close to it, something is wrong. Back off and get away.