We are better off with bats. These bat facts will make you rethink the unsung heroes of the night and learn why you should support them.
Bat Facts: Why Bats Are Beneficial, Not Scary
Why You Shouldn’t Fear Bats
Historically, bats have been cast as terrifying night stalkers. This, however, is a misleading portrayal. “I’ve personally noticed,” says Erin Cord, community engagement manager for Bat Conservation International, “that when I show people, who are generally afraid of bats, up-close photos of them, people are often surprised how cute and fragile they are.” Read on to learn more bat facts and gain an appreciation for them.
Benefits of Bats: Pest Control and Agriculture
Good looks aside, bats have many other redeeming qualities. They are exceptional garden helpers. A little brown bat can devour 4,000 to 8,000 insects a night, helping manage garden pests such as midges, hoppers, moths, ants and mosquitoes.
Their pest control efforts also have a huge impact in farming industries. Bats contribute over $3 billion worth of agricultural insect control a year in the U.S. Thanks to bats, farmers save on pesticide costs. The overall environment and other wildlife also benefit when less pesticides are used.
Some bats are also pollinators and planters, dispersing seeds through their droppings (guano), which can add fertilizer to garden beds.
Bat Populations Are at Risk
Yet, despite their ecological services, bats are threatened. In 2023, the North American State of the Bats report revealed that 53% of bat species were at risk of extinction, with habitat loss being a top reason.
“Deforestation, the destruction of caves and rapid urbanization are shrinking the spaces bats need to survive. Many species are highly specialized and can’t adapt when their roosts disappear,” says Melissa Donnelly, science specialist with Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation.
White-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease, has also eradicated 90% of northern long-eared bat populations, another valued member of the garden’s pest-control brigade. Fortunately, there are some things you can do at home to help your local bats.
How You Can Help Bats
Most North American bats are insectivores, so cultivating plants that appeal to nocturnal insects and reducing your use of pesticide are the best ways to support bats. Where there are insects, bats are sure to follow. Nocturnal bugs prefer flowers that open or stay open at night and are fragrant with pale-colored petals that stand out against the night sky.
Honeysuckle, datura and evening primrose are great native picks, and in parts of the Southwest, these plants might attract nectar-feeding bats that visit the area.
Provide Habitat for Bats
A minimally lit or dark garden with trees, stumps and piles of wood mimics wilder natural surroundings. This encourages bats to forage and roost. “Installing a bat house is another helpful action,” Melissa says, “but it’s important to do your research first. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution and like all wildlife, bats may or may not choose the roost you provide.”
According to Erin, bats drink midflight by skimming water off their wings. A pond or trough that is 7-to-8-feet wide without overhanging branches gives a bat room to swoop down and scoop up a much-needed sip.
When gardeners help provide safe spaces for bats to rest and forage, ecosystems are healthier. “If we didn’t have bats on the landscape, including our gardens, it would be dire,” Erin says.
Are Bats Pollinators?
Some bats are horticultural heroes with vital roles in pollination and seed dispersal. These bats mostly reside in the tropics and other continents, with only three species migrating up from Mexico to the southwestern U.S. border. For example, in parts of Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona, saguaro cactus and agave rely heavily on the Mexican long-nosed bat for pollination.
While you might not be able to support nectarivore or fruit bats in your own yard, you likely have them to thank for many everyday products, such as your favorite tropical fruits. And surprisingly, if you enjoy tequila or mezcal, your purchasing power can support desert bats from afar. Next time you order a margarita, consider trying a brand known for using bat-friendly practices in agave production.
Read on: Do bats drink sugar water from hummingbird feeders?
About the Expert
Erin Cord works as the community engagement manager for Bat Conservation International. Erin double majored in wildlife conservation and entomology from the University of Delaware and received her master of science degree in wildlife ecology from the Cesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Melissa Donnelly is a science specialist with Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation. Melissa’s work combines a passion for learning about bats with a proven background in field work, leading workshops, and public communication.
