Spooky season is fast approaching, meaning everyone’s favourite Halloween animal enters the spotlight once again. Bats are an endangered species that need to be protected at all costs. While having bats in your house isn’t ideal, attracting them to your yard can actually be very beneficial.
Firstly, and this is clearly very important, they make your yard seem spookier. Come Halloween, you’ll have the spookiest yard of all, with loads of bats flapping their wings to scare the trick or treaters!
Oh, and they also help you get rid of mosquitos and other bugs. Bats feed on these critters, so by bringing them to your yard you’re actually giving them a free all-you-can-eat lunch. Both of you benefit, so let’s look at how you can attract bats to your yard:
How To Attract Bats
You’ll be pleased to know there are many ways to lure these night-dwellers to your garden. We’ve whittled it down to five key things that you should try:
- Build a bat house – Some people call it a bat box, but it’s the same thing. Basically, you build a small nesting spot for bats to come and relax during the day. It’s a good idea to put this up on a structure – possibly your garden shed – so other animals don’t infest it. Now, bats in the area will know there’s a safe place to rest and raise their pups.
- Add a water feature – Have you ever fancied a pond in your yard? They’re great at attracting bats because they crave water all the time, and ponds naturally attract bugs that the bats can feat on. If this is a bit much for your liking, adding a little water fountain or birdbath can have a similar effect instead.
- Keep it dark – We know you love the exterior lighting you bought for your garden, but do you really need to turn it on when you’re not outside? Keep your garden as naturally dark as can be to draw in the bats. As a bonus, you save energy – you’re welcome!
- Plant night-scented flowers – Night-scented flowers are ones that give off their scent during the nighttime. The idea with these is that they attract insects to the plants, which will also attract the bats. Effectively, you’re using flowers as a bat magnet.
- Go easy on the garden maintenance – Bats like gardens that are a little bit wild and slightly unkempt. So, go easy on your garden maintenance and let things grow out a little. You don’t want to go overboard here; maybe just let a little section grow loose, rather than the entire garden.
Just like that, your yard will be perfectly set up to attract bats. And, you’ve managed this without needing to buy a bat signal to shine in the sky!
Benefits
On a more serious note, attracting bats to your yard is genuinely a fantastic idea. These animals need to be preserved, and by providing them with a safe haven – complete with food and drink – you’re doing your part to help them.
As a bonus, they are a perfect natural solution to removing mosquitos and other flying bugs from your garden. So, if you’re suffering from an infestation, bats can help you out.
Don’t Want a Spooky Yard?
Don’t want bats or bugs? Your local Pest Detective can help! Pest Detective offers a 24-hour call line for a prompt response. We provide home inspections and offer environmentally friendly pest control solutions to eradicate pests.
Visit our website or call today to request a free pest control consultation and quote.
