The Economic Value of Bats

Bats play a crucial role in pest control on farms by feeding on insects harmful to crops, providing a valuable service to farmers. While it is challenging to quantify the precise contribution of bats to each farm individually, environmental economist Amy Ando studied how the presence of bats affects farmland profitability. Research showed that losing bats led to a decrease in land rental rates, indicating their economic importance. The cost of white nose syndrome, which affects bat populations, was estimated to be between $420 and $500 million annually, highlighting the significant economic impact of bat conservation efforts.