Bats, Rats, and the Rest of the ‘Pests’: Why do they exist?

With Halloween just around the corner, we decided to highlight some of the most iconic “scary” looking animals that are also considered by many as pests. Why do they exist? Indeed, rats scurrying through your house may conjures up concerns of the plague and leptospirosis. Bats are an endangered species, but can spread rabies and other diseases. While these animals are pests to humans, it is important to remember the unique purpose they have in the ecosystem.

Bees

Many of us have added pollinating plants to help the endangered bee population throughout the world. Getting stung makes us yell out, “Why are you attacking me? I’m trying to save you!” Before you think of removing those plants, remind yourself that bees pollinate 75% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of the crops.

Wasps

Often mistaken as bees, yellowjackets are actually wasps, and are just one species out of 33,000 different wasp species. Wasps, too, are pollinators with 164 plants solely reliant on them, and known to provide the same with at least another 796 plants. They also importantly save the agricultural industry economically because they prey on aphids and other crop-damaging insects.

Hornets

Why on earth are hornets protected in certain parts of the world? Well, they pollinate plants, but also prey on insects like flies and spiders that could overtake an area.

Mosquitoes

While we think of them as feasting on us, livestock, and our companion pets, they are the prey of birds, fish, turtles, dragonflies and bats depending on their life stage. They provide pollination services as well.

Bats

You can thank bats as they are the only pollinators of the agave plant, which is a necessary ingredient in tequila. Even if you don’t drink tequila, fruit-eating bats disperse 95% of the seeds that help regrowth in decimated rainforests. They can also eat 1,200 mosquitoes per hour and other pests, saving at least $1 billion in crop damage and pesticide use annually in the United States alone. Even if you live in arid conditions like Arizona, bats are still at your service. Over 20,000 calls are placed to poison control centers in Arizona because of scorpion stings. Fortunately, the pallid bat considers them a delicacy.

Scorpions

Speaking of scorpions, they are really not as bad as their reputation in the United States. Out of 70 scorpion species in the U.S., only one, the Arizona bark scorpion, is considered life-threatening. Plus, it is proposed that their venom may be beneficial in human medications for certain diseases. In the meantime, you can thank scorpions for keeping insects, mice and spiders in check.

Spiders

Spiders capture and eat lots of insects. Tarantulas have a bad reputation unless provoked and are not dangerous to humans. They would rather get away from you than bite you.

Rats

Rats are difficult for us to defend. Even though many of this species have overrun cities and decimated other species, they eat other things like bugs and rodents that could become nuisances. Plus, they are a food source for birds of prey, snakes and other animals.

Snakes

Native snakes control rodent populations. Models suggest that snakes reduce the incidence of Lyme disease since rodents are carriers of ticks.

Ticks

Ticks are another type of animal that is difficult to defend. However, they are a favorite delicacy to ground birds like chickens, grouse, and turkeys. Since they are parasites, their nourishment from dogs, people, deer and mice is passed down the food chain to the animals that feed on them.

Fleas

Fleas are a food source for birds and reptiles.

Head Lice

They are not a food source for another animal and don’t pollinate plants – so their purpose is yet to be known.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches feast on decaying matter; this helps spread nitrogen to plants and trees. They are food for several animals – particularly amphibians.

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