Beat Mosquitoes with Bats

Alison Rogers

Mosquitoes: a telltale sign that summer's in full swing. It seems you can't venture outside for more than five minutes without bringing a few itchy red bumps back in with you. More than a mere annoyance, mosquitoes also can pose serious health risks that reach far beyond the occasional skin irritation.

West Nile Virus is an illness transmitted by mosquitoes that can cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain), a condition that may lead to permanent disability or even death. In 2006 alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 4,269 cases of West Nile in the United States, and 177 fatalities. Humans aren't the only ones at risk: Dogs, cats, horses and wild game also can contract the virus.

We don't want to scare you into becoming a hermit. Most cases result in little more than a fever with nausea or a headache, and there are effective ways to avoid getting sick at all. The best method is to reduce mosquito populations in your area. You're probably aware that you should eliminate pools of standing, stagnate water where mosquitoes lay eggs, but you'd have to continuously monitor a 10-mile radius or larger to completely eradicate the insects from your surroundings.

What next? Don't spend lots of money on one of those gadgets or gizmos that promise to keep them at bay while you relax in a hammock with a glass of lemonade. Instead, consider employing bats for a natural and effective mosquito abatement program.

Mosquitoes are the primary source of food for many bat species. Some can eat up to 1,000 of those nasty little bugs an hour! There are many myths and urban legends about bats, but there's nothing to fear?they won't harm you. In fact, bats are fascinating animals (read more about their complexity in Fantastic Bats).

All you have to do to attract them is provide some bat-friendly shelter ? and building a bat house is a fun and easy project. Simply gather the basic supplies (non-pressure-treated plywood, caulk, paintbrushes, a drill and wood screws, a table or hand saw and water-based stain, paint and primer) and get started; click here for detailed instructions. You can have one up and running in no time: The project is perfect for a lazy Saturday, and usually costs less than $30, depending on the size of the house. Consult Bat Conservation International's Criteria for Successful Bat Houses for additional building tips. Not handy with a table saw? Completed bat houses that are ready to install are available for purchase, such as this one from Gaiam Real Goods.

Of course, even with your new bats, you'll need to take the usual precautions against mosquitoes when spending time outside. Cover as much skin as possible, and spray mosquito repellent on exposed skin and clothing ('skeeters can bite through the fabric). Avoid repellents that contain DEET, which is a pesticide that is absorbed through the skin and can be especially harmful to small children. There are plenty of natural, effective alternatives, such as lemon balm (read Grow Your Own Mosquito Repellent for more on the topic). Also, try to limit outdoor activity during the hours between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

Great Bat Links: These sites are great resources for frequently asked questions about bats and bat houses:

Bat Conservation International

Bat Conservation and Management

Organization for Bat Conservation

Bat World Sanctuary

Have you had success in establishing a thriving bat colony? Tell us how you did it by posting a comment below.