In the U.S. alone tens of thousands of illnesses (and deaths) are reported each year from diseases spread by insect vectors. West Nile Virus (WNV) and Encephalitis are two diseases spread by mosquitoes that can affect humans, pets, livestock, and wild animals. According to the December 2011 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California leads the U.S. with 154 reported WNV cases, resulting in 8 deaths. Bat rabies accounts for approximately one human death per year in the entire U.S.
Bats can be valuable allies as Nature?s insect pest control. First, let?s dispel a few myths about bats. They are not birds, nor are they rodents. They are fur-bearing, milk producing mammals, like us. They play a key role in maintaining balance in our eco-system by keeping insect populations in check. They are nature?s most effective, least expensive, natural pest control. One bat house, that holds 100 Little Brown bats, can potentially consume 100,000 insects per hour! Mexican Free-tailed bats eat hundreds of tons of moth pests (weekly) and a colony of Big Browns can consume tens of millions of cucumber beetle larva in a season. One million bats can consume almost 7 tons of insects in a year. Bats can save farmers and foresters billions of dollars annually. Not only do they deserve our protection, urgent and effective efforts towards their conservation is critical, not only for the bats, but for our own livelihood.
Why is this matter so urgent? Bats now rank as North America?s most rapidly declining and endangered land mammal. A new disease has entered their world, killing more than one million bats in just five years. The disease is White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a fungus that has destroyed entire populations of bats living in one area. People cannot contract the disease, but can spread it by contaminating areas where the animals live. WNS is now documented in 19 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provinces, and spreading. Currently, 25 species of hibernating bats in the U.S. are faced with possible extinction. Although bats are long-lived, they only have one pup a year. Scientists predict it is unlikely that their populations will recover.
How can we help? Educate others about the benefits of bats and install a bat house for a natural solution to insect pest control. Encourage legislators to allocate funding towards understanding and fighting WNS. Adhere to cave advisories and closures to help prevent transmission of WNS. Encourage bats to live in your own yard/garden (and not in your attic) by putting up a bat house. Make sure all bats have vacated the building before installing screens to prevent them from entering. Eliminate use of toxic pesticides with organic pest control. Pesticides kill many wild animals, including birds and bats directly and indirectly by consuming the seeds or insects that come into contact with the pesticide. Bat houses are just one of many natural pest control solutions available today. By recognizing that these wild animals as a valuable and vital component in the eco-system serving as Nature?s solution to insect pest control, and that learning how to coexist rather than fear them, is a healthier perspective. Note: Bats are wild animals and it is illegal and unethical to keep them in captivity. If you find a bat on the ground, do not touch it and notify a local wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
Written by Linda Adams
For a free Guide to Healthier Living visit http://www.healthandhomenaturally.com/ Linda Adams, has over 30 years experience as an organic gardener. Her online store promotes natural and organic products for healthy living (for people, pets, horses, home, and garden), all grown and produced using sustainable farming, Eco-friendly growing methods and fair trade practices. Its never too late to start living a healthier life! For more information about organic gardening and living healthy visit http://www.healthandhomenaturally.com/
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