Little brown bat in flightPhoto: Getty Images
(Undated) -- Iowa homeowners adjusting to colder temperatures may want to keep in mind bats are also trying to cope with the change in season. Iowa has nine types of bats in Iowa, some will migrate to a warmer climate for the winter, but others will find a way to hibernate here.
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, two of the most common bats in Iowa are the little brown bat (Myotis lucifigus) and the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). A little brown bat can eat up to 600 tiny insects, like the mosquito, in an hour. A big brown bat will typically eat slightly larger prey like the moths and beetles that cause crop damage. It is estimated that bats provide corn farmers the equivalent of $1 billion in free pest control.
Iowa DNR Wildlife Biologist Stephanie Shepherd says when temperatures start to get cool in October and November, bats may find a way to wiggle into a home. She reminds homeowners that contrary to popular belief, most bats do not have rabies. She says, however, homeowners should be cautious and wear gloves or use a towel to remove the bat from your house. Shepherd says simply opening windows and/or exterior doors and turning out the lights may encourage the bat to leave on its own.