The bat has been plagued by centuries of "old wives' tales". This flying mammal is actually one of nature's gentler creatures.

Many bat species have recently become extinct and many more species are at least as endangered as the California condor. Bats are very slow breeders, giving birth to one or two young a year.

Bats generally have different day roosts than night roosts and different summer homes than winter homes. Bat proofing your home can be done simply and humanely when bats are away. Evicting and re-locating bats are not viable alternatives. Many species do not re-locate well, if at all.

HOW TO CO-EXIST

• A bat in the house is no reason to panic. Confine the animal to one room and open a window or exterior door. If the bat is flying, its sonar will locate the opening and it should fly out. If it's not flying, check draperies or other places where the bat can hang easily; sneak up behind the bat with a jar or towel, capture it and release it outside. Take great care to avoid being bitten.
  
  
• Bats enter buildings via roof overhangs, eaves, vents, cracks around windows and spaces caused by ill-fitting boards. When bats are away, repair or screen all entry points.
  
  
• Bat-proof your home in September-October or March-April. Doing so at other times may cause nursing babies or non-flying juveniles to become trapped inside.
  
  
• Bats under the eaves might leave if a light is left on so that it shines on their roost, or if they are disturbed often enough, they may find a more peaceful roost elsewhere.
  
  
• Spray dog or cat repellents may prevent bats from roosting in your eaves. (Use the spray when bats are not present.)
  
  

BENEFITS
One bat may consume up to 600 insects, including mosquitoes, an hour. This is something even our strongest pesticides can't do as well.

A small percentage of American bats are nectar eaters. They pollinate most each, also avocados, figs, mangos, and bananas. Other bats in the world are fruit eaters and are responsible for over 1/3 of all rainforest seed dispersal.

Even vampire bats have something to offer mankind. The anti-coagulant in their saliva is being tested for use in heart attack medicine,

Bat guano has the highest percentage of nitrogen and mining it for fertilizer is the major industry of several countries.

Click here for a printable collection of the articles listed above from the booklet "Bats In Your Belfry, Tips On Co-Existing With Urban Wildlife."