Bats have had some bad publicity over the years and unfortunately this doesn’t seem to be improving in the wake of the Hendra crisis. With the help of the United Nations Environment Program and conservation agencies worldwide, 2011-2012 has been named the Year of the Bat, intended to improve education and alter negative perceptions of these amazing animals.
Bats represent one of largest and most diverse radiations of mammals, with almost 1200 species on six continents. They are the only mammals capable of true powered flight, possess an intricate and sophisticated body structure, and are outnumbered only by rodents for total species amongst mammals. What’s more, these interesting creatures play a vital role in maintaining eco-system health as well as contributing to pest control and pollination.
When I mention that I work with bats, most people in Australia presume I’m talking about the fruit bats they see squawking in local fruit trees and fighting over food. But I’m interested in the more elusive microbats that are much smaller and use echolocation to catch insects at night. You may be surprised to know that almost two-thirds of Australia’s bats are microbats, and they are all around you. Because these bats are so small, nocturnal and virtually inaudible by humans, they go almost unnoticed in our environment.
There are more than 15 species of microbats within New South Wales and a recent survey of farmland in the New England region found 13 different microbats across 18 wool properties. These amazing little creatures feed exclusively on nocturnal insects and can eat up to 1200 mosquito-sized bugs in an hour! Their role in pest control is particularly evident within the grain industry of Australia, with the diets of microbats in the region shown to consist entirely of grain weevils. Not only do microbats help to control agricultural pests, they also eat disease carrying mosquitos, reducing our reliance on harmful chemical pesticides and improving human health.
In fact, a number of Pecan farmers in the United States have been able to become entirely organic after erecting artificial bat roosts within their orchards and attracting these natural pest killers.
Habitat degradation and the removal of remnant vegetation have resulted in a decline in bat numbers and also increased the likelihood of bats entering houses in search of shelter. The use of artificial roosts or ‘bat boxes’ has proven successful across Australia and the world, and is slowly being adopted by residents of Armidale and the greater New England. You too can get involved and make your own bat boxes to put up around your homes. You and your garden will benefit from having fewer pests, and you will enjoy learning about these silent little creatures that fill our night skies.
Story: Shannon Currie
