Scientists explain why bats are better than pesticides at night

Thekabarnews.com – Bats are quite adept at hunting at night, and they catch swarms of little flying insects by quickly flying through the air and eating them. As a result, a single bat that eats insects can eat hundreds to thousands of mosquito-sized insects in a short amount of time. This happens if the weather is appropriate.

Because of this wonderful way of eating, bats are known to be one of the best ways to reduce pests in nature.

Recent scientific studies have strengthened our knowledge of what bats eat. For instance, research examining bat stomach contents and DNA evidence indicates that mosquitoes are more prevalent in bat diets than previously indicated. Especially in environments with high mosquito populations, bats tend to eat more mosquitoes.

These results back up the idea that bats can assist in lowering the quantity of mosquitoes in certain places. However, bats are not “mosquito-only” predators. The Journal of Mammalogy conducted a study in 2018 that employed advanced dietary analysis. It helped researchers get a better idea of what bats really consume in the wild.

The mosquito myth: How headlines can be wrong

Experts also highlight a crucial aspect frequently overlooked in online headlines. For many bats, mosquitoes are only a small part of their diet. Additionally, people sometimes post large quantities of food on social media. These posts do not accurately represent bats’ daily eating habits in all locations and seasons.

Bats eat a wide range of insects in the wild, such as moths, beetles, flies, and many more insects that are around the same size as mosquitoes.

Bats are really effective at keeping insects from spreading. Moreover, large studies of the environment and the economy demonstrate that bats that consume insects are very useful. This is because they keep pests off of farms. As a result, bats help cut down on the demand for chemical pesticides.

A groundbreaking study published in Science in 2011 said that the loss of bats might cost the agriculture sector billions of dollars a year. This is because of higher crop damage and pest control costs.

The findings clearly indicate that bats do not eliminate mosquitoes on their own. Still, they play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.

Their real value comes from the many pest management services they offer. These services help ecosystems, farmers, and public health all at the same time.