Bats are one of nature's best insect controllers and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature.

Each bat may consume between 2000 and 6000 insects and mosquitoes everyday.

Bats are more effective and better for the environment than pesticides.

Bats only produce one baby a year - the slowest reproduction rate of any mammal their size - making them vulnerable to extinction.

Over 50% of bats in America are serious decline or listed as endangered.

You can make the difference by placing a bat house in your yard.

BAT FACTS

	A bat is the only mammal that can fly - it is not a rodent.
	The smallest bat is the bumblebee bat of Thailand. It weighs less than a penny and is also the smallest mammal.
	The largest bats are the giant flying foxes of Indonesia with wingspans over six feet.
	Bats are not blind! They have a sophisticated sonar system that guides them in the dark.
	Bats are very clean.
	Bats only bite in self-defense and will not bother you if you do not handle them.
	You have a better chance of winning the lottery than coming into contact with a rabid bat. Research has shown that the incidence of rabies in bat populations is less than 0.5%.
	Bats do not get caught in peoples' hair.
	Bats are active from spring through late fall.
	During the winter bats hibernate in caves or migrate.
	In the southern U.S. they are active year-round.
	In spring bats search for new places to start a colony.
	Bats that roost in buildings and under bridges will also live in bat houses.

NORTH AMERICAN BATS

	Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)
	Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
	Pallid Bats (Antrozous pallidus)
	Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis)
	Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus)
	Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis)
	Mexican Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)
	Southeastern Bat (Myotis austroriparius)

BAT HOUSE LOCATING TIPS

	Put up your bat house by March 1st when bats start searching for places to start a new colony.
	Mount it at least 15 feet above the ground on a pole or side of a house or building.
	Face it south or southeast in an area free from obstructions where it will get at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
	Mounting in trees is not recommended.
	If bats do not roost in your house by the end of the second summer, try moving it to another location.
	Bats will not interfere with backyard birds.

Visit the Organization for Bat Conservation at www.batconservation.org or Bat Conservation International at www.batcon.org for more information.

If you find an injured bat call your local wildlife care specialists or go to Wildlife First Aid for more information on caring for injured wildlife.