Importance of Bats

June 23, 2025

Bats are one of the most underrated and under appreciated species on the planet. The evidence for that can be seen in the Hollywood movie industry which continuously pumps out films involving negative stereotypes of bats. It might ostensibly appear as though bats are filthy, dangerous creatures that should be eradicated. However, those that have done extensive research on the topic know that most of the concepts people have adopted about bats are simply bat myths. Bats are extremely useful to people and to many of the earth’s ecosystems. By setting aside prejudices and learning about the importance of bats, we can help save the species whose populations are declining exponentially.

Bats help reduce insect populations

One of the most well-known facts about bats is their insatiable appetite for insects. It is estimated that a single brown bat from North America can consume 600-1,200 mosquito sized insects in a single hour. In addition, bats also consume insects such as cucumber, potato, and snout beetles which are responsible for billions of dollars in damage to North American farmers. Insect eating bats are not exclusive to North America. It is estimated that about 70% of all bat species worldwide feed on crop damaging nocturnal insects. This means that bats not only help reduce pests such as mosquitoes that inconvenience many, they help the world economy and food supplies by controlling insect populations naturally.

Bats help pollinate plants and disperse seeds

Although most bats are insect-eating, many bats around the world are pollen or fruit-eating. For example, the bats of the American Southwest are responsible for pollinating many of the plants that provide homes and food for a variety of animal species. In addition, many of the bats in South America are able to disperse seeds by excreting undigested plant seeds. Because of their ability to greatly influence their ecosystem, many bats are considered to be keystone species. Without their influence, many of the plant biodiversity that exists in the world would cease to exist, thus resulting in the decline of many vital ecosystems around the world.

Bat guano fertilizes soil

Bat guano (excrement) is often used as an organic fertilizer because it contains nitrogen and phosphorus which is critical for plant development. Although guano has been mined for centuries, the practice is declining due to loss of habitat. Obviously, mining anything near a bat habitat will disturb it. Never-the-less, guano is still useful to farms and gardens. The most non-disruptive way of acquiring guano is to own a bat house. It will attract bats and thus guano which can help to naturally fertilize a garden or farm.

Bats help scientific and medical research

Bats are unique in a myriad of ways. Not only are they the only flying mammal on the planet, they have certain abilities that are very rare and useful to the scientific community. Bats, like dolphins, use echolocation to navigate their way through the dark. Essentially echolocation is the act of sending out sound waves and determining the distance of an object based on the rate of the return of the sound. Bats use echolocation primarily to locate food. Scientists and the United States government are interested in developing technology based on echolocation; e.g. navigating a submarine through the ocean. By researching and understanding how bats use echolocation, scientists will be able to create new technologies.

Bats are also useful to the medical community. The infamous Vampire bat is able to inject an anticoagulant into its prey. An anticoagulant is a substance that is able to prevent blood from clotting. Scientists are interested in analyzing the saliva of the Vampire bat to help develop pharmaceuticals that might one day help patients suffering from blood flow deficiencies.

Given the information provided, it is safe to say that bats are very important to people and to the earth. They help prevent pests that annoy, help the economy, contribute to biodiversity, and help with the development of scientific research. Unfortunately bat populations are declining at an alarming rate and there is little gusto to help prevent it. Perhaps if bats were as beautiful as the Polar Bear or the Bengal Tiger there would be widespread support to save them. However, there is not.

Aside from buying a bat house which would provide homes for the declining bat population, one of the best things you can do to help bats is to simply educate others about the importance of bats.

Categories: Bats