Bats Are Humans' Best Defense Against Mosquitoes
In Halloween movies, a bat swoops in as the sun goes down, then transforms into a vampire, hungry for your blood. The truth is, in Charleston, it's the mosquitoes that are the most bloodthirsty creature around, and that bat may just be your best defense.
Bats Are Migrating Earlier, and It Could Wreak Havoc on Farming
Every year migratory bats travel from Mexico to Bracken Cave near San Antonio, Tex., where they spend the summer consuming insects that would otherwise devour common food crops. But the bats have been showing up far earlier than they did two decades ago, possibly because of a warming climate, new research suggests.
Scared of bats? Fair enough. But did you know just one bat eats up to 5,000 insects a night? More bats equals less mosquitos buzzing around your head. And less pesticides needed on our fruits and veggies to fend off those buggers.
Bats & Blooms
"Zoo Miami is known for international wildlife conservation, but they’re also managing patches of Pine Rocklands for rare Florida Bonneted Bats who just need safe homes and decent food. There are some blooms you want (like native plants) and some you don’t (harmful algae blooms). Find out the common cause of algae overgrowth in fresh and saltwater, from Florida to the Great Lakes."
Bats & Bordeaux: Nature’s Ultimate Vineyard Bodyguards!
Bats are natural pest controllers, protecting vineyards by feasting on harmful insects and reducing the need for pesticides - offering a sustainable boost to the wine industry.
"Bats growl like death metal singers, scientists discover"
"Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind, but they do rely on sound to understand what’s going on in their environment."
Bats Hitch a Ride on Storm Fronts When Migrating
''Researchers tracking female bats in central Europe found they migrated much farther in a single night than previously thought. The findings could help protect bats from wind turbine collisions.''
Bats imitate the buzzing sound of hornets to discourage predatory owls.
"Researchers from Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II in Portici, Italy found that the animals imitate the buzzing sound of hornets to discourage predatory owls from eating them."
Bats in the belfry? Time to shoo them is now
USA: Homeowners who think they may have roosting bats need to hurry to “exclude” them, because they’re protected by state law between April 15 and Aug. 15.
Bats In Your Attic?
Big brown bats and little brown bats are year-round residents of Maine and New Hampshire. The other six species that call our region home actually migrate to warmer climes or hibernacula during the winter. Of the eight species that call our region home, six species are now listed as Special Concern status: eastern small-footed myotis (Myotis leibii), little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), Northern long-eared myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), red bat (Lasiurus borealis), hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), silver-haired bat (Lasionycterus noctivigans), Eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus). Maine is considering listing the little brown bat and the Northern long eared for endangered listing. The crash in populations can be attributed to White Nose Syndrome, and there is much to be learned about the habitats and behaviors of these special species. The Center for Wildlife is proud of our work with bats (and all of our species!) because treating each individual can make a big difference to local ecology. Bats can consume their body weight in insects each night, which means a great deal to human health (think mosquitoes and EEE or West Nile), agriculture (USDA estimates bats provide 3 billion dollars worth of agricultural pest control each year in our country), and forestry (picture over-population of gypsy moths).
"Bats live with dozens of nasty viruses — can studying them help stop pandemics?"
"Now that the bats are breeding productively, the team’s research can be replicated more easily. They have shared bat tissue with about a dozen teams around the world. “Bats have become a hot topic,” says Wang."
Bats: Nature's Agricultural Allies
A bat in flight.Bat colonies living in the roofs of farm buildings are at best a barely tolerable nuisance to many farmers. What they overlook is the fact that bats are the major predators of night-flying insects, including many that are important agricultural pests.
Bats Worth Billions to Agriculture
In the United States bats consume so many insect pests they prevent billions of dollars worth of damage to agriculture.
Batty About Bats
How many mosquitoes can a bat eat in a night....?
Beautiful Rock Kestrels occupying an owl box
In an estate in Melkbosstrand, a pair of Rock Kestrels have bred in an EcoSolutions owl box for the past 2 years. This year, the pair produced 4 youngsters who have fledged successfully from the owl box.
Boskruin Welcomes a Spotted Eagle Owlet
On a wonderful afternoon, with another potential thunderstorm fading away, the team from EcoSolutions met with the residents of Kruinkloof Mature Lifestyle Estate for a very special occasion.
University students study how Barn Owls are used in vineyards
Barn Owls (Tyto alba) are proving to be powerful allies in sustainable farming, naturally controlling rodents in vineyards. Learn how this approach is making a difference in California.
"California Vineyards That Once Used Only Toxic Chemicals to Protect Vines Now Use Nesting Owls."
'Napa Valley vintners are increasingly turning towards winged-laborers for their pest control, and away from super toxic pesticides that poison everything, including their wine.'
Cat Poisoned and Dying, Dog’s Blood Saves His Life
On hearing terrible howls from her 7-year-old cat, Rory, Kim Edwards of Tauranga in New Zealand rushed him to the veterinarian. Rory was limp and unable to move and quite “obviously in a lot of pain.” Tauranga Vets told Edwards that Rory had most likely swallowed rat poison and could likely die, unless he received an immediate blood infusion.
CAWG Distributes 168 Owl Boxes to Winegrape Growers Across California
Californian winegrape growers are using owl boxes to promote sustainable pest control.
