Florida Bonneted Bat Acoustic Survey

In April 2025, Earth Tech conducted an acoustic survey for Florida bonneted bats (FBB) on a site in Osceola County! FBBs are the largest of the 13 species of bats found in Florida. They are endemic to the southern part of the state and listed as Federally Endangered, likely due to their limited range and loss of habitat. Two ETE ecologists deployed 16 bat detectors on the 600+ acre site. The detectors were strategically placed near clusters of pine trees, cypress swamps, tree snags, and water features, as these are preferred habitat for FBBs. They recorded ultrasonic sound waves for two weeks to help determine FBB presence or probable absence and attempt to identify nearby roosts, if any.  FBBs roost in cavities excavated by woodpeckers in live and dead trees, and also artificial structures. Acoustic data is being processed and we’ll see what the results yield!

  

Bats are crucial components of the ecosystem, with one colony of 75 bats consuming up to 75,000 insects per hour! Talk about pest control! Here are some tips on attracting bats to your property:

1. Plant (native!) night-blooming, fragrant flowers, herbs and fruits to attract insects (bats’ food source!)
2. Avoid the use of insecticides and pesticides
3. Offer a water source (small fountain, bird bath, etc.)
4. Keep cats indoors, especially at night
5. Install a bat house or make your own! https://www.flybynightinc.org/houses.html.  https://www.batcon.org/about-bats/bat-gardens-houses/