Gardening tips: Should you worry about brown bats?

Elvis Elvis

Sometimes people worry when they see bats and fear bites and rabies. While that is possible, it is exceptionally rare. Only 10 people in the USA and Canada in the past 40 plus years have developed rabies. This is less than the number of people who die each year from dog bites.

Brown bats are about 3-1/2 inches long, have a 10 inch wingspan, and weigh only ¼ of an ounce. Such a small thing considering the large volume of pesky insects including mosquitoes they consume each night.

Bats gather in hollow trees, loose bark on trees, rock crevices, buildings, and anywhere where there is protection. This also includes shutters, under shingles, and the eaves of buildings. There are bat homes available for purchase and they mimic circumstances bats love.