New England Diary

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Love your bats

Bat house

From Robert Whitcomb’s “Digital Diary,’’ in GoLocal24.com

Bats (often associated with Halloween and intimations of doom) are creatures that scare most people. And yet by eating many insects, they’re our allies. Bats are fascinating: With forearms that have evolved as wings, they’re the only mammals capable of sustained flight.

The deadly fungal disease called White Nose Syndrome has been killing off millions of them for more than a decade, very much including in New England. But scientists are finding signs of hope. Hit this link to read a fascinating WNPR article.

And for guidance on building a bat house (and cutting your local insect population), please hit this link.