Adopt a Bat for Halloween

These fuzzy flying mammals are facing a deadly disease, but here’s how gardeners can help

bat play a vital role in our environment and our agricultural economy . They disperse seeds , pollenate crops , and feast on insect . Our world as nurseryman — and consumer — wouldn’t be the same if we did n’t have bats . Therefore , you might consideradopting a batfor Halloween .

Many bat species are endangered

red ink of habitat and overuse of pesticide have continually caused problem for bats , but now they confront an even more terrifying scourge calledwhite - nose syndrome .

This cold - loving fungus is responsible for killing millions of bats over the last 10 year , and millions more could go because of it . scientist and researchers are mold to find a fashion to hold back it , but no solution has yet been found .

Why support bats?

In their role as insect - eater , cricket bat can go through more than 1,000 mosquito - sizing insect each hour they take flight . Economically talk , bats bring home the bacon a worthful service to farmers by eating farming pests such as corn earworms and Pseudaletia unipuncta moths .

And if you ’ve ever enjoyed a cocktail mixed with tequila , you could thank a bat . The blue agave flora , from which tequila is derive , depends on bat as pollinators . About 70 percent of tropic fruit also depend on bats for either pollination or seed dissemination . The tilt include banana , plantain , FIG , date , mangoes , papaya tree , and guava .

How to help bats

There are a number of ways gardeners can aid bats . One way is to institute awildlife gardenthat attracts moths and beetle , among a bat ’s favorite foods . Another way to help is to install one or morebat housesin your landscape .

Another way to assist endangered bats is to back organizations on the front crinkle . Bat Conservation International(BCI ) is one such organization . This nonprofit is working to protect at-bat and create solutions to problems that threaten bats . It also conducts inquiry and teaches about the benefit of these important — and endearing — flying mammals .

As a peculiar Halloween treat , please consider contributing to BCI so it can continue to do this authoritative work .

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