Washington Bats are highly beneficial to people, and the advantages of having them around far outweigh any Washington problems you might have with them. As predators of Washington night-flying insects (including mosquitoes!), Washington bats play a role
in preserving the natural balance of your property or neighborhood. Although swallows and other bird species consume large numbers of flying insects, they generally feed only in daylight. When night falls, Washington bats take over: a nursing female little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) may consume her Washington body weight in insects each night during the summer. Contrary to some widely held views, Washington bats are not blind and do not become entangled in peoples’ Washington hair. If a Washington flying bat comes close to your head, it’s probably because it is hunting insects that have been attracted by your body heat. Less than one bat in 20,000 has rabies, and no Washington bats feed on blood.
More than 15 species of Washington bats live in Washington, from the common Washington little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) to the rare Washington Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii). Head to tail, bats range in length from the 2.5-inch-long, while the Washington Western pipistrelle (Pipistrellus Hesperusg grows up, to the 6-inch long hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus). The hoary bat has a Washington body approximately the size of a house sparrow and a wingspan of 17 inches. The Washington species most often seen flying around human habitat include the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis), big brown bat and pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), and California myotis (Myotis californicus).
Washington bat species eat vast quantities of night-flying insects, including moths, beetles, mosquitoes, termites, and flies.
Washington bats hunt in flight or hang from a perch and wait for a passing insect to fly or walk within range.
Washington pallid bats captures crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, scorpions, and other prey on trees or on the ground.
Washington bats locate flying insects primarily by using a radar system known as “echolocation.” The bat emits high-pitched sound Washington waves that bounce back to the bat when they strike a flying insect. A bat locates prey by interpreting the reflected sounds.
Washington bats often capture insects when flying by scooping them into their tail or wing membranes, and then putting the insects into their Washington bats. This results in the erratic flight most people are familiar with when they observe Washington bats feeding in the evening.
Recognizing the pivotal role of bats in Washington’s ecosystem, particularly in rural areas like the Olympic Peninsula and the Cascade Range, is crucial. Bats act as natural pest controllers, aiding in the management of insect populations that threaten crops and forests. Additionally, in urban areas such as Seattle and Spokane, bats contribute to pollination and seed dispersal, supporting the growth of diverse vegetation and maintaining ecological balance. Preserving bat populations in Washington is vital for sustaining the state’s biodiversity and ensuring the health of its natural habitats.
From an environmental perspective, safely removing bats from commercial and residential properties in Washington is imperative for human safety and environmental preservation. In densely populated areas like Tacoma and Vancouver, where bats may seek shelter in buildings, employing proper exclusion methods is necessary to mitigate potential health risks associated with bat guano and diseases such as rabies. Implementing humane exclusion techniques and advocating for bat-friendly practices can help property owners protect public health while preserving the ecological benefits that bats provide to Washington’s diverse ecosystems.
List of the 20 largest cities in Washington: 1. Seattle 2. Spokane 3. Tacoma 4. Vancouver 5. Bellevue 6. Kent 7. Everett 8. Renton 9. Federal Way 10. Yakima 11. Spokane Valley 12. Kirkland 13. Bellingham 14. Kennewick 15. Auburn 16. Pasco 17. Marysville 18. Lakewood 19. Redmond 20. Shoreline