Local Boy Scouts Working To Debunk Myths About Bats

Approximately 30 Boy Scouts from Temescal Valley will take part in a conservation effort that aims to provide safe habitat for bats and help put to rest negative perceptions of the creatures.

With the aid of Waste Management staff, on Saturday, Oct. 12, Boy Scout Troop 899 will install two bat houses at the El Sobrante Landfill where bats have been spotted. 

"The joint collaboration is part of a larger national effort to help the diminishing and commonly misunderstood mammal," according to a released statement from Waste Management.

"In the United States, a majority of bat species are either listed as endangered or facing rapid decline. The number one contributor to the population drop is the loss of roosting habitat, which are caves, mines and other structures that offer overhang. Other influential factors include the general public’s fear or misconception of the species and the bats’ slow reproductive rates," the statement read.

"The truth is bats are helpful mammals that benefit not only the ecosystem but humans as well," the statement continued. "Bats help prevent excessive insect populations and can eat nearly half of their body weight in night-flying bugs. This attribute is beneficial especially in agricultural regions where crop pests pose major issues. Additionally, many plants depend on bats for pollination and seed dispersal."

Miriam Cardenas, Waste Management community relations representative, said the season for bat awareness is upon us.

“With bats’ strong association with Halloween, we thought now is a perfect time to teach children that bats actually play an important role in the environment—we need their help and they need our help,” Cardenas said in the released statement. “Plus, we are always thrilled to offer these educational activities to the communities we serve.” 

With assistance from Waste Management staff and a biologist, the Boys Scouts will construct two wooden bat boxes and attach each one to a 15-foot pole to give the bats ample flight area. Internally, the boxes will have multiple corridors where the bats can roost. 

Bats are nocturnal and will roost in the boxes during the daylight hours. They also will utilize the houses for hibernation, migration and nursing. 

Following the installment, the landfill biologist will monitor the boxes to measure their success.