B is for Bats!
I’m going to bet that Mom has never shared on this blog how I’ve saved her and Dad from bats—twice! Whenever they complain about my upkeep I am sure to remind them, let me tell you.
Very early one August morning, my thumping around on the footboard of my humans’ bed, woke Mom up. She asked me if I was batting at moths (no pun intended). We had quite the summer infestation of the insects from a bucket of sunflower seeds in the garage that year.
She went into the human litter box room and closed the door. Then Dad woke up and turned the light on. He saw my flying nemesis, most likely a brown bat, and yelled at Mom not to come out. He then used some fancy cowboy move with a shirt and lassoed the bat—well, actually picking the bat up and taking it outside to release it. And he lived to tell about it. Mom, in the mean time, was wondering why everything was so quiet. Finally Dad let her know it was safe. And why was it safe? Because I had set off the alarm! He just hadn't given me enough time to fight the bat to the death for their protection.
The second time Dad insists I didn’t really help. The bat got in through the furnace chimney, into the basement , and came up the stairs into the kitchen. Dad saw it first and warned Mom, who helpfully screamed and ran outside. I, on the other hand, was brave and helped corner the creepy critter. Yes, I did hear Dad tell me not to chase it and I was obedient, but observant. We cornered it in the living room curtains. This time Dad calmly went to get his work gloves and grabbed the bat to take it outside.
I am happy to report there were no bites or injuries. It could have been a lot worse if I hadn’t been here. No need to thank me. Just give me an extra treat!
Do you have a scary bat story? Or do you like bats? Inquiring minds want to know! We love your comments!
I think bats are fine as long as they're not in my house! Ugly little critters though. Not pretty like you are, Lilybits!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mr. Tom. Mom agrees and says bats have a face only a mother could love.
DeleteWe have a little bat living in one of our outside air vents. He's pretty quite and keeps to himself mostly until night time when he swoops around the backyard looking for a meal. At first I wanted him gone, but he does keep the bugs at bay. I'm sure if he ever got in the house my dog would be of no use except to bark her head off. Why couldn't she be calm and collected like Lilybits?
ReplyDeleteI could always give your dog pointers, though Mom says trying to get the bat with my claws was not being calm enough. Thanks for the comment, Miss J'nell!
DeleteI remember as a child playing outside as the sun set, and these little creaters would zip over my head making little clicking and squeaking noises. I never stayed around long enough to see what they were.Ew-w-w!
ReplyDeleteKathy says: My husband spots them when we're out walking in the early evening. I'll hear the squeaking and think they're birds until he has to point that out! In this case, ignorance is bliss! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Susan.
DeleteI don't care for bats mainly because they are so unpredictable. I don't like anything that flaps around my head. We have bats that like to dive bomb us when we're in pool in the evenings. I don't know if it's the water or what but I don't like that! I'm not fearful, really. Just don't like the unexpected flap flap flapping. But I do appreciate them eating the mosquitoes! My daughter was bitten by a bat in Mexico. And guess where? In a pool!
ReplyDeleteKathy says: I've heard of raccoons washing their paws in a pool, but never heard of bats dive bombing people in a pool! Almost every summer bats hang out in the alcove over our front porch and drop little reminders of their presence. :( I was happy when they didn't come back this year. I agree, they're important for keeping the insect population down, but I don't like that they often carry rabies. Having them get in the house wasn't a happy time for me. I'm just glad no one was bitten!
DeleteOne time I found a bat inside my mother's screened-in porch. It was wedged into a corner, but I managed to grab it with some long tongs. Mom opened the door and I managed to get the now-struggling bat outside. I attempted to set it down on the railing, but it flapped around so much it fell off, and landed in the lily pond below. Mom and I both peered over the railing, hoping the bat would be all right. As we watched, a large bullfrog appeared from the depths and swallowed the bat's body. Under he went, wings flapping. So much for bat rescue.
ReplyDeleteWow, Lisa! There has to be some kind of story or parable to come out of that. It has conflict, drama, and a tragic ending (for the bat). You were much braver than I, as Lilybits would gladly attest to.
DeleteOther than the ones in my belfry ;), I don't really have an opinion about them one way or another. I imagine I would if I could recall encountering them, but nothing comes to mind (and I am pretty sure that if I had, I would remember LOL). So glad Kathleen had you, Lilybits, to protect her :)
ReplyDeleteMy cat is scared of anything real. He prefers inanimate beasts like the milk jug ring or a candy wrapper. I think he'd send me in first if we had a bat in our house. I really hope that never happens. My husband and kids would send me in first, too. My dog would cower behind all of us.
ReplyDelete