This summer, farmers all across the state are thrilled with the results of their yields. But did you know that local bat populations might have something to do with the excellent quality of all the fruits and vegetables you love so much? Not only is it possible, it is very true! Continue reading to learn how bats are helpful partners for Kentucky farmers, including which crops tend to benefit the most from bat interference.

Nature’s Pesticide

Bats are known to be threats, not just because of old movie and scary tales, but also because they can actually be a nuisance to residential and commercial properties since it is common for colonies to take shelter inside attics and similar hidden areas, and inflict a long list of structural damages and sanitation concerns.

However, aside from being a potential nuisance to property owners, bats provide a wide range of advantages, both ecologically and economically. They deliver such benefits to our local economy and surrounding ecosystem in a number of ways, but the top two are pest control and pollination.

Pest Control and Pollination

Bats are insectivores, and primarily eat flying bugs like mosquitoes, flies, gnats, moths, and more. A single bat can consume more than it’s own body weight in insects. In fact, in just one night, a single bat can eat more than 1,000 flying insects! Think about a colony of 100 bats darting and diving for insects each night. Now that is some excellent pest control!

This type of “nature’s pesticide” benefits local farmers because their growing crops are less affected by pest outbreaks and infestations. Bats are also excellent pollinators, which helps keep crops growing healthy and strong, season after season. Not only does this reduce the amount of money and labor put into pollinating crops each season, it also increases the results of seasonal bounties.

Best of all, this level of added pest control and pollination is free, so farmers are saving money! This actually rolls into how bats help the local economy too! Since farmers are saving money on raising better-quality crops, more crops are grown and sold at the market, keeping the local economies stimulated on both ends of the sales transaction.

Kentucky Crops Aided By Bats:

🌽 Corn
🍚 Rice
🌿 Tobacco
🌱 Soybeans
🌾 Wheat

Got Nuisance Bats Around?

If bats are a nuisance in or around your property, contact 502-553-7622 for safe and non-lethal bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky. We are DNR licensed and insured bat control contractors who use safe, non-lethal methods of extraction and exclusion. We serve both residential and commercial clients, and at the most competitive prices in town. Emergency 24 hour service is also available. Request a free estimate, today.