Often shrouded in mystery, bats are known for flying above scary houses in Halloween movies or turning into vampires. But here’s the truth: bats are not creepy, they are harmless to humans, and they mostly want to be left alone. They are incredible animals and simply misunderstood.
Pest Controllers and Secret Super Pollinators
Part of this misunderstanding comes from their shy and gentle nature, which has contributed to their air of mystery. But bats are more than just elusive – they are extremely intelligent. They can navigate and hunt in complex, dynamic environments, process spatial information quickly, and adapt their pursuit strategies using echolocation.
Bats gobble up insects like tiny sky vacuums, with a single bat able to eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour! Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying. They pose a threat to humans by spreading diseases. Bats also consume moths and beetles that can damage gardens. Every fluttering bat is a tiny environmental superhero, quietly patrolling your yard and keeping pests in check.
While the word “pollinator” usually brings bees and butterflies to mind, bats pollinate hundreds of plants around the world, including many fruits we love: coconuts, guava, bananas, and avocados. In New Jersey, bats primarily help with pest control rather than pollination, yet they still play a key role in supporting the ecosystem by keeping insect-pollinated plants healthy.
Meet New Jersey’s Bats
New Jersey is home to nine species of bats, three of which are migratory. The two most commonly encountered species are the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) and the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) (very inventive names, huh?). Other permanent residents include the Eastern Small-Footed Bat (Myotis leibii, a species of special concern), Tri-Colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus), Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and the federally endangered Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis).
Unfortunately, the Little Brown Bat, once abundant in North America, has experienced a severe population decline due to a rapidly spreading disease called white-nose syndrome. Named for the white fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) that infects hibernating bats’ muzzles, ears, and wings, this disease has devastated populations of several bat species. While concerning, white-nose syndrome poses no threat to humans. In 2021, the Little Brown Bat was officially designated as endangered. For more information on where white-nose syndrome is found, check out this website.
How to Support Bats in Your Yard
So how can you help bats right in your own yard? The answer is simple: create bat-friendly habitat! Bats thrive in yards that are healthy, diverse, and pesticide-free, just like the ones we celebrate with Jersey-Friendly Yards. Leaving some leaf litter can support insect life, which provides food for bats. Planting native trees and shrubs offers shelter, and you could even put up a bat house to give them a safe spot to rest. Plant natives that attract insects bats love, such as Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba), and White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima). Small actions like these can make a big difference for local bat populations. Every bat-friendly choice helps your yard flourish while supporting these vital nighttime pollinators and pest controllers.
Bats don’t belong in Halloween movies. Intelligent, insect-eating, and plant-pollinating, these creatures quietly protect our gardens, support our ecosystems, and keep our world in balance. That’s superhero-movie material.
