Bats in North Dakota Help Control Mosquitoes, Eating Up to 600 an Hour

GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA — When night falls across the prairies and river valleys of North Dakota, an often misunderstood but vital creature quietly gets to work. The bats that call this state home aren’t out to frighten — they’re actually helping residents by devouring hundreds of mosquitoes each hour while keeping the balance of local ecosystems intact.

Seven Species Call North Dakota Home

According to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, there are seven bat species present in the state. Of those, only two — the Big Brown Bat and Western Small-footed Bat — live in North Dakota year-round. The Long-eared Bat and Long-legged Bat may also remain through the seasons, while the Little Brown Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Townsend’s Big-eared Bat are typically seasonal residents.

These species rely on specialized winter shelters known as hibernacula — caves, mines, or rock crevices that stay above freezing and maintain high humidity levels during the state’s harsh winters.

Where North Dakota’s Bats Live

Bats are most often found in wooded and rugged terrain, such as the Badlands, the Turtle Mountains, and areas along the Little Missouri and Missouri Rivers. They create roosts in rock crevices, beneath tree bark, under leaves, and occasionally in human-made structures. Homeowners may even find bats taking refuge inside barns or attics.

While many associate bats with dark caves and haunted imagery, most of North Dakota’s bats are quiet nighttime hunters, relying on their keen echolocation abilities to detect insects in the dark.

Nature’s Pest Control Experts

Far from being a threat, these mammals provide a tremendous benefit. According to the University of Missouri Extension, a single bat can consume about 600 mosquitoes in an hour, drastically reducing the need for chemical pest control. Their diet also includes moths, beetles, and other agricultural pests that can harm crops and gardens.

Just like other species, bats play essential ecological roles. Around the world, some act as pollinators and seed dispersers, ensuring plant reproduction and forest regeneration.

Gentle Creatures, Not Villains

Despite their eerie reputation, bats are not aggressive and typically avoid humans. They do have good eyesight, though they rely mainly on sound to navigate and hunt. Experts recommend never handling a bat with bare hands, as they can carry diseases like rabies. If handling is necessary, thick leather gloves should always be used.

Each bat gives birth to one or two pups per year, which makes population recovery difficult if habitats are disturbed. Unfortunately, pesticide use, habitat loss, and low reproduction rates have caused declining bat populations across North Dakota.

Changing Perceptions About Bats

Negative myths and Hollywood portrayals have unfairly damaged the image of bats, leading many to fear rather than appreciate them. But as local experts emphasize, these creatures are crucial to pest control, crop protection, and the health of North Dakota’s ecosystems.

Residents are encouraged to protect bat habitats, avoid disturbing roosts, and consider installing bat houses near gardens or barns to give them safe nesting sites. Supporting these nocturnal allies ensures a natural defense against mosquitoes — and helps preserve the quiet balance of North Dakota’s nights.

Appreciating bats means understanding their purpose, not fearing their presence. Their nightly flight is more than a Halloween symbol — it’s a sign that nature’s pest control system is hard at work, silently protecting communities from dusk till dawn. For more local stories celebrating North Dakota’s wildlife and environment, visit NapervilleLocal.com and share how you coexist with these fascinating creatures in your neighborhood.