An important ally was omitted from your article on
safer ways of mosquito control (HCN, 9/13/04: Communities search
for a safer way to kill mosquitoes).
It’s a humble
and reviled creature with considerable ability to patrol the skies
between dusk and dawn: the bat.
I sympathize with the
interviewees in the article. Long ago, I lived in South Texas and
was sprayed by the “fogging” truck on a summer night. I am grateful
my neurons are doing as well as they are. Now I live in the
Northwest, and work in a rehabilitation center. There I met a
delightful and gritty young lady who landed in a wheelchair due to
the effects of West Nile virus. So, I also know that the odds of
having a serious case of West Nile are low, but devastation can
still happen.
Bat houses and protection of bat-nesting
areas would help a good deal without exposing anyone to pesticides.
In the West, there are many old mines which are good bat shelters
when gated to keep out children and other would-be explorers. The
costs are small and the potential gains are great. Bats also aid
farmers in pest control and carry out nighttime pollination (if you
like tequila, you owe bats your thanks).
West Nile virus
or not, we need to appreciate and better protect these amazing
beasties. Check out Bat Conservation International’s Web
site: www.batcon.org .
Marie
Valleroy
Portland, Oregon
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Here’s a mosquito solution.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
