Town of Oxford Public Works crew and the bat house they installed at the NCCOS Cooperative Oxford Laboratory in Oxford, Maryland. Credit: NOAA.

A house heavily infested with bats near NCCOS's Cooperative Oxford Laboratory in Oxford, Maryland, recently required control and safety efforts that forced the invaders out, leaving many bats homeless.

Ideal bat foraging habitat located on the lab's property prompted the donation of a bat house by a member of the Oxford community. The donated bat house was installed, at no cost, by the Town of Oxford Public Works crew.

Bats play important roles in many environments around the world, acting as pest insect controllers, pollinators, seed dispersers, and reforesters.

For more information, contact Gretchen.Messick@noaa.gov.