Scientists: Bring in insect-eating bats

Star: The long-term fight against the dengue outbreak can be improved with the introduction of more insectivorous bats into urban areas, according to scientists.
Each bat, which can consume as many as 600 insects an hour, would have the capacity to eat at least 3,000 insects a night.
“We should explore natural and biological means to contain the dengue epidemic,” said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Professor Dr Zubaid Akbar Mukhtar Ahmad.
There are some 105 species of insectivorous bats in the country.
He said there had been reports in Europe of bats seen heading for mosquito-infested swamps to feed.
“We have done research on crop pests in Perlis and found that bats played an important role in keeping the number of pests down.
“Our team found remnants of insect parts on the cave floors,” he added.
Dr Zubaid Akbar said specially designed bat boxes commonly used in Europe could be used to attract bats into urban areas.
“These boxes, which are almost similar to bird boxes, can be placed in recreational areas and at the edge of cities,” he said.
Malaysian Bat Conservation Research Unit researcher Christine Fletcher said a single bat consumed between 50% and 100% of its total body weight in bugs each night.
“It eats almost 5gm of insects a night and that accounts for a lot of mosquitoes and agricultural pests,” she added.