As Halloween approaches, images of scary, blood-sucking bats become commonplace. But bats do not belong among the ghosts and ghouls. Bats are fascinating, helpful, and not at all scary.
In North America, bats play an essential role in insect control, taking to the sky each night to dine on mosquitoes and other pests. Forget Batman – bats are the real heroes of the night! Each year they provide billions of dollars in free pest control services.
Unfortunately, bat populations are declining worldwide. Half of B.C.’s bat species are at risk and the recent arrival of white nose syndrome in Washington State increases the threat. This devastating fungal disease has already killed more than six million bats in eastern North America.
The Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project will be celebrating Halloween by working with community members to help bats. School kids from several classes will be building bat houses in the next few weeks, and in November the Wildlife Project is offering a series of Homes for Wildlife workshops where residents of all ages can come build their own bat houses or swallow, duck or owl nest boxes from easy-to-assemble kits.
The Wildlife Project is also asking for community help in monitoring bats. If you have bats roosting on your property, or have found a dead bat, contact Dave at [email protected] or 604-989-1007. Wildlife Project biologists also offer free site visits to advise landowners on managing bats in buildings, and can help residents obtain and install bat houses.
For more, see www.facebook.com/coastwildlife
– Submitted by Michelle Evelyn
