When we think of bats, we often picture mysterious creatures flying silently under the cover of darkness.
Yet few people know that these fascinating animals play a fundamental role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. Bats are effective allies in pest control, including mosquitoes, which transmit serious diseases to people and animals.
To raise awareness of bats’ vital role in the ecosystem, the Associació Institut d’Estudis de l’Horta Valenciana has launched the “Guardianes Nocturnos: Conservación de murciélagos como agentes clave del ecosistema valenciano” project.
Bats are true natural pest controllers. By feeding on insects such as mosquitoes, moths and beetles, they help reduce insect populations naturally.
In fact, a single bat can eat thousands of insects in one night, significantly reducing the need for pesticides and other chemicals that affect both soil and human health.
Despite their importance, bats are at risk because their natural habitats are being destroyed, pesticides are overused, the climate is changing and safe roosts are scarce. Urbanisation and deforestation have drastically reduced their resting and breeding areas, leaving them exposed to predators and adverse environmental conditions.
Installing bat boxes
An effective and accessible way to help bats is to install bat boxes in carefully chosen locations such as gardens, parks and green spaces.
These boxes provide a safe roost where bats can rest and breed, sheltered from bad weather and potential threats.
Because these artificial roosts have proved effective, the Association is installing 25 bat boxes at strategic locations across the Valencian Community.
So how can you help conserve bats?
- Install a bat box: You can place a bat box at your home or in your garden. Make sure it is in a quiet location and cannot be reached by predators, chiefly domestic cats.
- Learn more and raise awareness: Help challenge myths about bats. Explain to friends and family why these animals matter to the ecosystem and how they benefit our health.
- Support conservation projects: Many associations and organisations work to conserve ecosystems, including initiatives that tackle deforestation and the loss of natural spaces.