We’ve collected some of the best fun facts about bats and reasons why you should own a bat house!

Fun Facts

• There are over 1,000 different bat species.
• Bats can live for over 20 years.
• Bats can fly at speeds up to 60 mph.
• They are the only mammals able to fly.
• Bats locate their food by emitting inaudible high-pitched sounds.
• Bats can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour and often consume their body weight in insects every night.
• The largest bat, the “Flying Fox”, can have a wing span up to 6 feet.
• The world’s smallest bat, the “Bumblebee Bat”, is smaller than a thumbnail and weighs less than a penny.

Natural Pest Control

Incorporate a bat house in your backyard to reduce mosquito populations. Also, bat houses provide an alternative space to keep bats from nesting in the eaves or attic of your house.

Similar to bird houses, bat houses have a specific design that works best for their needs. A bat house should be located at least 15 feet above the ground in a warm, dark spot. It should also be a tight space that mimics the bark on a tree. The inside should have a rough texture so that bats can cling to the interior. Also, the house should be close to a water source.

As more wild habitats are developed by humans, bats and other natural pest-control creatures lose their natural nesting places. It is in our best interests to protect them and encourage them to nest in our yards by installing bat houses.

3-Chamber Bat House

These creatures would be “batty” if they didn’t want to live in this bat house. With three separate chambers, this house can fit approximately 100 bats. Find one at your local English Gardens and place in your backyard today!

Understanding Bats: Bird Watchers Digest Book

Learn more about these secret mammals and how they benefit us in this great book, found at English Gardens.

Photo Credit: Findley Lake Nature Center