Bats are vital to the health of our natural world and economy. Although we may not always see them, bats are hard at work all around the world each night – eating tons of insects, pollinating flowers, and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees.
Voracious insectivores, bats rid our yards and fields of destructive, unwanted, and potentially dangerous disease-carrying insect pests. Some of the mosquito-borne and spread illnesses in North America are Zika virus, West Nile virus, and malaria. In fact, a major project in Texas eliminated malaria in a particular area, saving thousands of lives. Read more…
Bat guano is used as a high nitrogen fertilizer, in combination with other nutrients in commercially produced formulations. Click here for more info on bats and agriculture.
Bats in Viticulture
Saxon Winery: On a smaller scale, the application of bat guano collected from the attic of the Peachland Historic School significantly improved the vitality of grapevines at Saxon Winery, in nearby Summerland. Owners Jayne and Paul Graydon saw improvement in the vines and the grapes on the treated vines, and have confided a desire to expand the project on their new vines in Peachland.
Hainle Vineyards Family Estate Winery
A similar program has been launched with Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery in Peachland to study the outcome of treating four rows of grapevines, with our guano. We are eager to report results of this project. A bat house and bat-friendly garden have also been installed to encourage the establishment of a resident colony. BEEPS in the Vineyard offers guided tours of the vineyard to admire the spectacular views and learn the effectiveness of bats in reducing the use and amount of harmful chemical pesticides. Stroll the vines then stop to sip the award-winning wines at the wine shop. BEEPS directors assisted in the application and will report on new growth and grapes later in the 2022 season.
Shout Out to Fitz! Demonstrating Bats in Agriculture
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards at Greata Ranch inviting more bats to assist in pest control in their vineyard. By installing additional bat houses. During a recent visit to the vineyards, BEEPS director, Darlene Hartford learned about their efforts to minimize the use of toxic pesticides in the vineyard by using natural predators. Assistant winemaker and assistant vineyard manager, Brandon Lawrence explained how they use bats to control insect infestation and hawks to reduce rodent populations. The vineyard now boasts bat and hawk houses, to entice these hardworking partners to the task. To find out how you can entice them to your property, visit:
https://beepspeachland.com/attracting-bats/
Click here for more information about how your Bat House is vital to species preservation.