A Garden Helper After Sunset
Learn why moth-eating bats can help garden plants and why these nighttime helpers need room to fly.
Play the quiz as a gameBats can be useful garden neighbors. Many bats eat insects. This can help keep garden plants healthy.
Some moths lay eggs on plants. When the eggs hatch, young insects come out. They may eat the leaves. Many bats catch moths for food. With fewer moths laying eggs, there may be fewer young insects eating leaves.
Bats also help at a useful time. Many birds rest at night, but many bats hunt then. They look for insects in the dark. The garden has helpers even after sunset.
Give bats room. Watch them from far away. Bats need space to fly and find food. Do not touch a bat.
A garden sign has the heading "Night Helpers." Below it, a photo shows a bat flying above plants. The caption says, "A helper after sunset." These words tell why the bat belongs on the sign.