Bat Week is an international, annual celebration designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation.
Bats are a mysterious animal and widely misunderstood. They are the only mammal capable of sustained flight. They are not rodents and are actually more similar to humans than any rodent species. The bone structure of their wings is like that of the human hand.
Michigan has nine bat species all of which help keep our insect populations in check by eating 500-1,000 mosquito sized insects per hour. The consumption of insects helps agriculture in Michigan, as well as home gardeners and those wishing to enjoy their yards.
There are simple ways we can help with bat conservation. Be cognizant of chemical used to eradicate insects, the same insects bats will be eating. Secondly, we wary of using poison to eradicate bats. Not only is it illegal, but there are many non-lethal ways to keep bats from your area. Preserve their habitat. Bats often live in dead trees. Certainly, dead trees are dangerous to property in urban and suburban lots. An alternative is to build bat houses.
For more information on Bat Appreciation Week and bat conservation, click here.