Let's face it, bats have a reputation for being a little on the creepy side. However, these winged mammals serve a critical role in the environment and the garden. Bats help to control the insect population, which means fewer mosquitoes and rootworms (insects that cause crop damage). In the southwestern U.S., nectar-feeding bats are the main pollinators of the giant Saguaro cactus (
Carnengiea gigantea). In the tropics, bats disperse seeds and pollinate the flowers of many plants.
To discover why bats make good neighbors, the Rebecca's Garden cameras swooped into the Bat Zone located at the Cranbrook Institute of Science in metro Detroit, home to 90 types of endangered bats from around the world.
The large fruit bat, the one used to represent vampires in horror movies, is one of the most important bats to humans. As the name implies, many tropical fruits and vegetables—including bananas, mangoes and avocados—depend on bats for pollination. Rob Mies, one of the founders of the Organization for Bat Conservation, aims to debunk the many myths about bats.
"I think Hollywood is to blame because in the movies bats are always scary," Rob said. "We shouldn't fear the bat at all. While all mammals can contract rabies, the threat of a bat contracting the disease is extremely rare."
Bats have also played a role in national defense by teaching us about sonar, the same technology the military uses. Bats send out sound waves with their mouth or nose. When the sound hits an object, an echo comes back, allowing a bat to fly at night.
For gardeners who suffer from mosquitoes, bats provide a natural—and continuing—solution. Once a bat or colony of bats picks a roost, they are often very loyal to it and will return night after night and year after year.
Bats are furry and a bit unusual-looking, but they do beautiful things for plants with insect control and pollination.
Guests Rob Mies
Founder
Organization for Bat Conservation
39221 Woodward Ave. P.O. Box 801, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
Phone: 248-645-3232
E-mail:
Website: www.batconservation.org Also in this Episode
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