How You Can Help Bats

Don't trim trees May - September if possible, especially palm trees. Several species of bats use them for maternity roosts. If you can't wait,  check for bats before trimming and call us if you find any.

Grow native plants to support bats and their insect prey. There isn't a comprehensive list of native Arizona plants that support bats but plants that support pollinators are a good place to start. Here are a few resources to help you choose plants that can help bats: 

• Bat Conservation International - Creating a Garden for Bats for general information about bat gardens not specific to  Arizona.

• Arizona Native Plant Society - Plant List for a list of plants native to Ariz0na to choose from.

• Maricopa Native Seed Library: About Native Plants for information about native plants and how to get seeds to grow them.

• Maricopa Pollinator Pathway presentation for information on how you can support pollinators in your outdoor living space.0

In Southern Arizona during the summer, bats sometimes feed from hummingbird feeders. Keep your feeders fresh and full and turn off any fans or outside lights at night.

Use as few pesticides as possible.

Never leave fans on outside at night because they can injure bats and turn off as many lights at night as possible.

NEVER use glue traps of any kind anywhere; they are inhumane and catch bats along with other animals. Don't use fly paper outside, it can attract and catch bats also.

Research getting a bat house. They aren't very successful in some areas but do well in others. Feel free to contact us if you'd like to talk about putting up a bat house or check out our Bat House FAQ.

Explain to people that less than 1% of bats have rabies, but it is still important to always use gloves or other protection when handling any kind of wildlife. We tell people to be safe, not scared.

Teach people that Arizona has 28 species of bats. The only state in the U.S. with more is Texas. 

Let people know that bats are key pollinators around the world. In Arizona they pollinate cactuses, agave (which makes tequila), and more. Worldwide bats pollinate plants such as banana and cacao.

If someone says they don't like bats, remind them that many species of bats eat bugs! Nearly all of the species in Arizona are insectivores. If you hate mosquitoes, love bats. Pallid bats even eat scorpions and other pest insects. 

Dispel myths about bats when people spread them. People in general aren't anti-bat per se, they often just don't know that what they've heard isn't true.  Responses to some common myths: Bats aren't blind, they don't try to get into your hair, not all bats drink blood (only 3 species drink blood and they drink from birds and livestock), bats don't attack people, they don't all have rabies (they aren't even the leading transmitter of rabies to humans). 

Share cute pictures! Everyone you meet gives you a chance to let them know how important, helpful and adorable bats are. We can't tell you how many people have told us they don't like bats or are scared of them until we show them super cute pictures. (Canyon bats are especially good for this since they are so teeny). There are lots of cute pics on our Instagram. 

If you have bats that you need to have relocated, call a wildlife removal company, not a pest control company. Contact us for recommendations if you can't find one you'd like to use.