Over the years, specifically on summer nights, I've done my share of ducking to avoid low flying bats. You know what I'm talking about. They swoop by just close enough to make you flinch and then they're off. I even remember finding these small, black creatures hanging upside down in our pool house several times. As a kid, all I knew about bats is that I didn't want one stuck in my hair like the horror stories I had heard of. At the time, I didn't realize how useful these bats are and contrary to wanting to get rid of them, we actually want them around.

For those of us who garden, bats are helpful in several ways. First of all, bats consume insects. They consume bugs such as mosquitoes, moths, grasshoppers, and locust. Personally, I'm happy with just ridding the area of mosquitoes alone but imagine being assisted in relieving your maturing plants from pests! I believe this alone is reason enough to welcome these little, swarming night creatures.

In addition to eating potentially harmful bugs, some types of bats actually live on the nectar from the flower of plants. Fruits such as mangoes, figs, dates, bananas, and avocados benefit from the pollinating and seed spreading that bats partake in. So they play a crucial role in not only assisting in the current growth of certain plants but even preserving them for the future growing seasons to come.

And lastly and probably most importantly, bat droppings, called bat guano, are used as a natural fertilizer. The reason bat guano is prized is because it is high in two important macronutrients, phosphates and nitrogen, which are important for plant growth.

Bat droppings are also very nourishing to the soil because it contains decomposed organic materials that can help restore minerals to the soil. It's safe and all-natural which means you can continue growing fruits and vegetables without the use of any chemicals. (Most gardeners want organic produce that's free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers....my guess is you're one of them.)

Most people probably do not know this but in 1856 the Guano Island Act was passed in the United States. I'll bet you can guess why Congress passed this? Yep. Because rich guano deposits were found on islands in the Pacific by the U.S. This act allowed U.S. citizens to take possession of guano containing islands. Think there's some value and importance to bat, sea bird and seal guano? Enough to send in the troops to protect the poop!

You get the point. Interest in bat guano has continued throughout the years, making its way as a recognizable, all-natural fertilizer for gardeners across the world. So the next time you duck out of the path of an in flight bat, remember all the benefits these little creatures bring to your garden.