The diet of most North American bats consists largely of insects. Bats consume large quantities of insects every night, using sound to identify insects and the areas in which they are likely to live. In fact, a single big brown bat, present in every state within the continental U.S., is known to eat around 600 insects an hour every evening.
Many bats consume upwards of 70% of their body weight in insect meals every night. Bats commonly feast on pest insects that cause damage to our lawns, gardens, and health. Beetles, flies, and mosquitoes are frequent meals for bats, and a local bat population can make a noticeable difference in the amount of these pests found near your home.
Bats are such efficient hunters that their mere presence in an area acts as an insect deterrent, driving mosquito populations elsewhere to avoid these night hunters.