Bat vs Man

I'm thinking bats. Yep, the little mammals that hang upside down and live in caves by the thousands. Totally random I know.

I'm currently trying to persuade The Mr. into installing a small bat house in the yard. He's really not interested. I think bats are extremely important. By putting up a bat house we'll be helping to give them a home and we'll benefit from having fewer yard and garden pests. In my mind it's a win, win. Totally a more ecological, sustainable way to go about pest management. I just hate smearing my body with bug spray eww.

Thinking back to last year we got those Off brand clip-ons. I'd say they, kinda worked. I didn't like having the clip so close and insecticide (or whatever is in those things) so close to us, breathing in what was warding off the bugs. I tried citronella candles but realized that when the wind blew the candle away from where I was, the benefit was lost.

Last year we'd just gotten a grill (I know crazy after 5 years lol). Also as of late last summer we have a little swing set out back for the kids, so naturally we'll be spending more time in the yard after BBQs in the evening. Prime time for mosquitoes, nats and other pesky bugs. I plan on gardening this year so I know I'll be out weeding and we'll be spending more time in the yard. Ok as I think about our great back yard ventures I'm also thinking about bats.

The Mr. is so freaked out by bats. I had no idea until our little discussion. Oh the things we learn about our spouses. When I first brought up the idea of installing a bat house he looked at me like I had three heads and said, " I don't want to get bitten by bats while enjoying my back yard. Nor do I want them dive-bombing me in the dusk." I have to admit I chuckled. To many movies I suppose will give a person that image he he. I lovingly shared with him, bats are the primary predators of night-time insects, they are extremely important for the overall well-being of the ecosystem. They would be beneficial to have around because they consume large quantities of garden and crop pests, including stink bugs, spotted cucumber beetles, corn ear-worm moths, and emerald ash borers. Most convincing, I know. He still isn't buying into my bat house idea. What if we put that bat house up and they move into our house instead he asked. Ah a dream question. I in turn responded,

Bats moving into people's houses do happen, one thing we can do to prevent bats from moving in is to put up a bat house. I think his responce was something like, oh brother. So the discussions continue. I know the issue is TBD. Oh one thing to note, though The Mr. is super sweet he seems to have that blood that mosquitoes don't really love. I can't say the same for me and the kids. We get munched like a free all you can eat buffet.

Last I checked I couldn't see any bats flying up over head in the area. Probably because we don't live in the boondocks. So the answer was a NO at first but I batted my eyes and asked that he first do a little bit of research on the benefits and life of bats in our area before solidifying that no. He agreed. I haven't given up hope that maybe one of the neighbors will install a bat house. I'm thinking I might loose this debate, but if you are interested in looking into installing a bat house of just want to know a little bit more about bats,

click HERE and you'll be led to The Organization for Bat Conservation.

For now I'm going batty with these kid's songs playing over and over in my head lol.