When most people think of bats, they might picture creepy, bloodsucking creatures, but that’s not true—bats aren’t even rodents. Where I live, there are plenty of natural caves, which makes it the perfect environment to learn about bats and their role in our ecosystem. You might not have ever thought about drawing bats to your backyard or building a bat house, but there are actually lots of good reasons to do so!
When I picture flying, furry creatures in my backyard, I usually think of honey bees. But did you know bats are also important pollinators? Besides supporting pollination, bats bring a bunch of other benefits to your garden.
There are three major reasons we should quit seeing bats as creepy and start inviting them into our yards:
First, like bees, bats are drawn to nectar in plants and act as the “night shift” pollinators. They become active after dark, working wonders in your garden while you’re fast asleep. They spread pollen as they chase after nectar and bugs. Lots of plants, like bananas, mangoes, guavas, and even agave (what we use to make tequila), rely on bats for pollination. So, if you enjoy tropical fruits or tequila, bats play an essential role. Whether you need a hand with your veggie garden or your prized flowers, setting up a bat house in your yard is a great idea.
You’ll mostly find bats pollinating in tropical and desert climates, especially in springtime in areas like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Next, let’s talk about bat poop. It might sound gross, but bat guano is actually a crucial element in the global ecosystem and economy. It’s a fantastic fertilizer, even better than other natural options. Not only does it enrich the soil, but it also helps spread seeds, especially in regions where vegetation has been affected by human activity. As bats consume fruit, they later disperse seeds through their droppings, helping regenerate our global ecosystem.
Throughout the world, fruit-eating bats are indispensable to reforesting areas devastated by logging and agriculture, often being dubbed the ‘farmers of the tropics.’ It is estimated that bats are responsible for up to 95 percent of new forest growth in these areas. So, it turns out you’d want bats contributing to your garden’s health!
Finally, bats serve as excellent pest control. In warmer climates, spring and summer bring pesky bugs, but bats come to the rescue. They devour the insects that harm your garden, sparing you the use of harmful pesticides. Bats eat loads of night-flying insects, such as the notorious corn earworm moth, which are problematic for commercial crops. In the U.S. alone, bats save farmers over $3.7 billion a year by reducing crop damage and pesticide need. Plus, bats love feasting on mosquitoes, with some capable of eating up to 1,200 mosquitoes in just an hour! Having a bat house in your yard is a smart way to keep annoying pests at bay.
If you’d like to encourage bats to hang out nearby, try mimicking their natural habitat. They enjoy places with water, though not just any small water source—a pond or pool several feet long will do. The goal is to create a bat house that’s similar to the space between the bark and trunk of a tree. Building a bat house is relatively simple and doesn’t require advanced carpentry skills. Essentially, it’s a tall, thin box made from plywood with compartments for bats to snuggle into. Bigger boxes can accommodate more bats and provide better temperature regulation.
Bats like things warm but not too hot, so be mindful of temperature control. In cooler areas, dark-colored exterior paint will help, while lighter colors are better for hotter environments. If DIY isn’t your thing, you can easily buy a bat house. Make sure it’s placed 12 to 20 feet above the ground on a secure pole or building, rather than just hanging from a tree, which could expose bats to predators. Regularly check for wasp nests inside the bat house, but don’t use pesticides—their residues could harm the bats.
Dead trees, if not dangerous, can also be great spots for bats, providing them a safe haven to form colonies. These trees also attract bugs, giving bats plenty of food.
If you want to draw bats to your garden, plant light-colored, fragrant flowers that blossom at night, along with herbs like chives, lemon balm, and marjoram. Avoid using plants like cinnamon, eucalyptus, and peppermint since they tend to repel bats.
Thinking about welcoming bats to your backyard? Hopefully, you see them differently now. Whether you choose to build or buy a bat house, a few thoughtful plants can turn your garden into a bat-friendly haven, where these fascinating creatures can pollinate, fertilize, and help control pests. Have bats made a home in your backyard already? Share this information with anyone who might see the benefit of having bats around!
