People tend to have strong feelings about bats, whether that’s love or hate. Remember the adage that you’re afraid of what you don’t know? In the case of bats, it seems not many people are aware of how bats behave or, honestly, much else about them. These creatures of the night have always carried an air of mystery about them; why else would they move around in the dark? However, after learning more about bats and their unusual ways, many people welcome being neighbors to these mis-understood creatures.
Getting to know your bat neighbors will hopefully give you an appreciation of these tiny mammals. There are over 1,400 species worldwide. Most bat species in the continental United States eat insects, but a few eat pollen and nectar. A few species of long-nosed bats, for example, are solely responsible for pollinating agaves that are well-known for producing tequila.
The most commonly encountered bat in the United States is the big brown bat (). Although it enjoys eating mosquitoes, its favorite treats are flying beetles and other agricultural pests.
