Going Batty

Program or Category: Wheeling Field Office – Northern Panhandle RC&D

Overview: The Wheeling Field Office and the Northern Panhandle RC&D Council along with the Cameron Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter have been going batty. With $1,200 from the Council and technical information from the Field Office the FFA Chapter built bat boxes to be placed at all watershed structures to control mosquitoes.

Accomplishments: The project produced over 60 boxes which were hung by watershed O&M staff. Leftovers were given away to civic organizations to be placed near walking trails where water is handy. The bats eat thousands of mosquitoes every night keeping the pesky critters from spreading diseases and being a general nuisance.

Program Benefits to Community:  Considered a natural control for insects, the bats only require a home which the boxes provide. For this service they eat the bugs that would otherwise require spraying with insecticides. Going batty has saved money, reduced pesticide applications and provided a safer environment for people enjoying the outdoors.

Contact Information:

Over 60 boxes like this one were hung on trees to create bat homes.
 

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