Bats

[StarCat]

We went to a live bat presentation at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science today. The presenter said that cats and bats have similar personalities. They can be trained, if they feel like it. They are affectionate, on their terms. They have an important role in the ecosystem. They like to hunt and eat moths. I knew there was a reason I like bats.

Cat

[kevin]

Cat,
Do You really like eating moths?
Kevin

[StarCat]

I usually delegate the moth eating to my subordinates. I did learn though, that the use of chemicals for pest control could be greatly reduced by having a healthy and thriving bat population. It would also enhance food productivity, with the pollination and seed dispersion. The presentation also gave us a valid reason to plan a road trip to Michigan. The bat conservation headquarters is north of Detroit. I'm not terribly interested in visiting Detroit, but I would like to see the Great Lakes area.

Cat

[kevin]

Cat,
I work four days each week at a recycle centre, it has a large shed type building open at the end, it is located in a very peacefull area in open countryside, thus there are many bats in the building.
They are a nuisance as such, due to their droppings that stain.
They consume a multitude of moths, which I collect the wings remains for a local wildlife expert who records the types of moths from the droppings.
I also have bats both in our house and barn ( which I offered the use of to another batty type)
They only prefer to operate in DARKNESS, thus their preference for moths.

It would be good to expand this thread to their RADAR capabilities , and how they ping out signals and recieve back a picture as such.
Kevin

[kevin]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_echolocation
We have more senses than meet the eyes.
Kevin

[Mikado14]

I was considering putting up a bat house.

http://www.batcon.org/resources/getting ... -bat-house

http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProd ... Hwodu7UA3w

http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProd ... Hwods00NUw

They fly around here and I have noticed that the mosquito population is down when they are around.

Mikado

...still trying to convince Kim to get one.

[kevin]

I was considering putting up a bat house.

http://www.batcon.org/resources/getting ... -bat-house

http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProd ... Hwodu7UA3w

http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProd ... Hwods00NUw

They fly around here and I have noticed that the mosquito population is down when they are around.

Mikado

...still trying to convince Kim to get one.

http://www.wbrcouncil.org/Departments/M ... to-Killers

Mossies have their purpose, they clean up sewage infested water, they nest in toilet paper at the bottom of streams and filter the water.
They really like water poluted by animals such as pigs and cattle, We have none here that are vectors of malaria, are there such in the states?
Kevin

[Mikado14]

They are carriers of disease. Here in Pennsylvania we have:

West Nile virus
Chikungunya (pronounced chik-en-gun-ye)
Encephalitis
and also Heartworm in canines

Mikado

[kevin]

They are carriers of disease. Here in Pennsylvania we have:

West Nile virus
Chikungunya (pronounced chik-en-gun-ye)
Encephalitis
and also Heartworm in canines

Mikado

Build the bat houses, I would.
Kevin

[StarCat]

Mikado, tell Kim I think a bat house or two would be a good idea. A healthy bat population reduces the need for chemical pesticides, pollinated crops, and helps the ecosystem by spreading seeds.

Kevin, the larger bats, like the Flying Fox don't use echolocation, and aren't strictly nocturnal. For more information, www.batconservation.org

Cat