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October Speaker The Bat Lady Barbara Ogaard a.k.a. The Bat Lady from Sarvey Wildlife Center was amazing! She engaged every person right from the start and presented some fascinating and useful information, and did it all with warmth, charm and a delightful sense of humor! The center rescues thousands of orphaned and injured wildlife every year and readies them to be released back into the wild. There are 12-14 species of bats in Washington State, and some can live to be 30 years old. Bats offer efficient and natural insect control and can eat up to its body weight in insects every night. Bats that live in our area range from 2-4 inches with wingspans of about 9-16 inches. Although there are no guarantees a bat house will attract bats, there are things you can do to make sure you are providing the best bat habitat possible. Bats like to roost in warm places, so a bat house should face S.E. and be painted black using flat exterior latex paint, and the sides and top of the box caulked so the bats’ body heat will be retained. If it is hanging in a tree, make sure there are no branches shading it. Make sure the house extends down a few inches to give them a landing pad. Planting night blooming flowers such as Four O’Clocks, Nicotiana, Evening Primrose, Moonflower, Honeysuckle and Bachelor Buttons will help attract bats. Have patience and don’t expect bats to take up residence right away. Bats are so faithful to their known roosts, sometimes it takes a number of years for them to find a new one. To help tell if your bat house is getting use, put a piece of white plastic under the house and see if it collects any droppings, or install a shelf around the post at eye level. The Washington Department of Wildlife lists nine bat species as "Species of Special Concern". Even bats that have adapted well to human environmental change are now losing their roosts. As we make our homes more energy efficient, we are also making them more bat proof. Bats that moved in with us when the old-growth forests were cut are again finding themselves without a home. What Can You Do? Do not disturb roosting bats. This is best for them and best for you. Provide habitat when possible. Leave hollow trees and snags standing. Put well-sealed black-painted bat houses in sunny locations at least 12 to 15 feet off the ground and ensure the entrance is free from obstructions for a 15 to 20 foot area. Support research by your universities, government agencies and conservation organizations. Educate yourself so that you can educate others. Minimize your use of pesticides. Support conservation groups, especially those working to preserve our native northwest habitats and wildlife. What if I find a bat on the ground? If you find a bat laying on the ground it should be considered ill or injured. Do not touch the bat. Instead cover the bat with a jar or can. Gently slide a piece of cardboard under the bat, enclosing it in the container. Place a secure lid on the container, and contact a bat rescue center as soon as possible. Sarvey Wildlife Center, 360-435-4817 Happy Valley Bats, 360-631-0668 If you've been bitten by a bat, immediately wash the wound with soap and water, seek medical attention, and contact your local health department. Plans for the rocket box bat house that Barbara referred to in her presentation: www.batsnorthwest.org/rocketbox_plans.pdf
You can also buy it here: www.batsnorthwest.org/bat_houses.html
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