By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A local biologist says many misconceptions about bats have emerged since news broke that a woman got bit in her home.
A woman in St. Joseph had to undergo a series of rabies shots after the bat bit her.
Biologist Shelly Cox with the Remington Nature Center says there has been so much misinformation spread about bats.
"Through the media, through movies, television programs we get so much coming at us that's in a negative light that we don't really often take time for appreciating them in a positive light, you know what do they contribute to the environment," Cox tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.
Cox says Missouri alone has 14 different species of bats.
"All of them are nocturnal and all of them are insect eating bats," Cox says. "So, these are the bats that are using that echo location they're honing in on all kinds of night flying insects, many of these insects we don't want around us."
Cox says bats also help farmers by eating bugs that will eat and destroy crops in the fields.
Cox says bats do find ways to get into homes.
"Obviously bats get disoriented they're in attics and things happen," Cox explains. "Often times what happens if you have a chimney in your house cold drafts or cooler air tricks the bat into flying down the chimney instead of flying outside and then they end up in your house."
Cox says fluctuations in temperature also force bats to find shelter. Cox advises that if a bat gets in your home, you need to handle it carefully. . .
"So, when you find yourself faced with a bat inside your house just be careful, just make sure you have a thick towel that you're wrapping around it or try not to touch it at all," Cox says.
Cox says you can use a net or something to scoop it up as long as you do not let the bat touch your skin.
Cox will hold a talk next week at Remington Nature Center about bats. Cox says she hopes the presentation will help people gain an appreciation for bats and their role in the environment.
"Cause, you know like I mentioned, the insect eating bats in Missouri but if you look more on a worldwide scale we have nectar bats, we have pollinating bats, we have seed distribution bats which means these are the fruit eating bats," Cox says.
Cox says those fruit eating bats help pick seeds up off the ground and transplant trees and plants.
"So, they benefit us in many, many, many ways," Cox points out.
Cox’s presentation, “Bats A Misunderstood Mammal” will be presented at the Remington Nature Center next Wednesday at 6pm.