Question:
I've read the thread about the new commercial mosquito traps. I'd guess,
from the comments, that they don't work very well.
When we moved in here, I noticed bats flying over the little pond late at
night. Maybe they were also in our other neighborhood, ten blocks
away....but I don't think so. We have a lot fewer mosquitoes here than
there. We have a lot fewer mosquitoes than our old buddies who live a mile
or two away, too.
I now attribute that luxury to the bats. Maybe the best mosquito trap is a
bat house. I don't know where my local bats live, but they come out every
night and eat their weight in the pesky mosquitoes.
Answer:
Generally bats are a good thing to have around. However just putting up
a bat house does not mean you will have any takers. They need a number of
factors to be attracted and they are kind of picky about where they live.
I suggest that anyone interested, check locally for someone who knows
your local bats. They can tell you if it is a good idea in your area and
how to make it work for the bats in your area.
I am lucky as there is a river nearby and a creek very close. They seem
to follow the creek so we get a fair number around here and they do a number
on the mosquitoes. I can watch them at night. We also have a nationally
known expert at OSU in town and our local parks have a good informational
series on them.
I have not had any luck attracting them to a bat house myself, but they
seem to be doing ok on their own.
A couple of years ago my son had one living between the storm window and
his inner window where he was living in DC.
Note that while I like them, your neighbors may not. Most of the time
it is unreasonable fear, but it still is something you should consider if
you are planning to put out a bat house.
