Benefits of bats include eating annoying insects, fertilizing and pollinating plants, and more.
In summer, as dusk arrives and the loud thrum of night insects begins to grow louder, you may notice what appear to be small birds performing acrobatics in the last light of the day, turning on a dime midair and swooping to the surface of bodies of water.
These likely aren’t birds—they’re bats. North America is home to over 32 distinct species of bats, the only flying mammal capable of true, self-propelled flight. These nocturnal fliers are often misunderstood, but play a vital role in our ecosystem and offer unique benefits to homeowners and gardeners.