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University of Florida

Bats are an essential part of natural ecosystems throughout the world. As the primary predator of night-flying insects, their contribution to natural pest control is tremendous. Many bats in other parts of the U.S. and the world play a large role in pollination and seed dispersal for some plants and fruit trees. Bat manure, or guano, is a superior organic fertilizer containing many valuable micronutrients and naturally occurring soil microbes that aid in plant nutrition.

The primary causes of bat decline in Florida and around the world include loss of natural habitat and disturbance to bats and their homes, called roosts. Habitat is lost when forests are cut down, when trees that could serve as roosts are removed, and when caves are sealed shut or filled in. Disturbance occurs when humans create too much noise, activity or physical disruption to roosts such as caves and trees or manmade roosts such as bridges or bat houses. Over-application of insecticides can also negatively impact bats by killing insects that could otherwise serve as bat food.

What Can You Do for Bats?

Provide roosting habitat

  • Do not remove dead and dying trees, live trees with cavities, or dead palm fronds if they are not a hazard to your home.
  • Do not disturb bats roosting in bridges, abandoned buildings, or other man-made structures. 
  • Do not alter caves or mines used by bats and do not disturb the bats that use them
  • Install an artificial bat house. Learn more about bat houses for your home landscape with the resources below.

Provide foraging habitat

  • Plant native vegetation that attracts non-pest insects for bats to feed on
  • Reduce or eliminate insecticide use in your landscape.
  • If it is available, allow access to water where bats can drink and feed on aquatic insects. Be sure to empty and change any water containers or bird baths every few days to reduce mosquitos.

Raise public awareness about bats

  • Educate others on the ecological services bats provide and why we want to protect bats.
  • Dispel untrue rumors about bats.  For example:
    • Bats don’t want to tangle in your hair. In fact, while a bat may dive close to you to catch food if there is an insect near you, bats do not want to bother humans
    • Studies have found that less than 1% of bats carry rabies. This does not mean it is safe to handle bats. There is some risk transmitting disease and harming the bat. NEVER touch a bat with your bare hands. If you find a bat on the ground or out during the daytime, it could be sick or injured.
  • Discourage inhumane removal of bats from buildings. Your IFAS Extension Office can point you toward wildlife professionals that can remove bats safely. Find your local IFAS office.

Bat Conservation Links

Florida Bat Conservancy

Based in Merritt Island, Florida, this nonprofit organization seeks to preserve and protect native bat populations throughout the state. This site includes helpful information on everything from building bat houses to what to do if you find a bat in your home and how to perform a bat exclusion.

Florida Bat Working Group

Florida Bat Working Group is a collaboration of educators, biologists, citizens, and professionals who all believe in ensuring a bright future for Florida’s bats.

Lubee Bat Conservancy

Lubee Bat Conservancy is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to saving fruit bats and their habitats through research, conservation and education. Located in Gainesville, Florida, Lubee houses the largest and most diverse collection of fruit bats in the world. Efforts are focused on working with global conservation partners to protect at-risk bat species. By protecting these bats, Lubee works to conserve more than 145 genera of plants with species that depend on bats for pollination and seed dispersal, the countless organisms that depend on those plants for food and shelter, and ultimately all people who depend on healthy ecosystems.

Florida Bat Festival

The annual Florida Bat Festival at the Lubee Bat Conservancy offers an opportunity to view giant fruit bats and enjoy the great outdoors while learning about how bats benefit Florida’s environment and ecosystems worldwide.

Bat Conservation International

Bat Conservation International’s mission is to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet. Based in Austin, Texas, BCI is devoted to conservation, education and research initiatives involving bats and the ecosystems they serve.

More Resources

Page source: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW291