Boy ... here's my chance to get on my soapbox, about my favorite misunderstood mammal. Yes folks, the maligned 'bat'. The flying death from above (from a bug's point of view). They need homes, and homes are easy to build, and will be used. Here in Austin, we have the Colorado River running through the middle of town, tons of bug breeding ponds ... and ~2 Million Mexican Free-tail bats that fly out from under the Congress Street Bridge each and every night. Each bat eats roughly 2x it's body weight in misquitos. It's rare to get bitten by a skeeter. Check out
http://www.batcon.org The site is free, the knowlege is interesting, and knowing that that bug that bit you, will be dinner in a few short hours actually DOES make the bite itch less. Bats can reduce the occurance of the West Nile Virus, by killing the bugs.
<< Bats can reduce the occurance of the West Nile Virus, by killing the bugs. >>
And the aerial application of DDT can eradicate it by eliminating them!
2 Million Mexican Free-tail bats that fly out from under the Congress Street Bridge each and every nightI've heard this is a spectacular sight. And of course, you are quite correct, we should encouraging the bat population (some conservation efforts are in our best interests).
Great website, thanks! :-) The "Flying Fox" is my favorite.