This month, these flying mammals will start looking to make camp near creeks, rivers and streams to cool off by through summer and near trees with blossoms and fruit such as melaleuca, eucalyptus and banksia to feed on.

Types of bats you may see and find here:

While bats usually live near water sources or in forests, they do sometimes come into homes. The most common areas are under verandas and horse blankets and in sheds, exhaust pipes and even outdoor umbrellas and coats.

Bats will eventually leave and often don’t need to be removed, causing no harm if left alone. However, if you’re really worried about bats in your home or if you find an injured bat, the rule is - don’t touch, but do tell.

You can call:

Similarly, bats will only bite if they feel threatened, but if you do get bitten seek immediate medical attention as some bats carry a group of viruses linked to rabies called Lyssaviruses. 

Even people who may have been bitten some time ago should still seek medical attention.

For a long time, these nocturnal creatures have been feared, often associated with vampires and caves, but they’re actually essential to our environment. 

They protect crops by eating up to their own body weight in insects every night through summer, including moths, termites, mosquitoes, and spiders. They also rejuvenate our forests, especially after fires, carrying pollen and seeds over long distances.

Sadly, many species of bats are becoming endangered as trees are cut down and temperatures are rising.

“We need to think about how we live with them, because they are critical to our ecosystem,” said Heather Caulfield, Bat Coordinator for WIRES in Goulburn.

You can help create a safe habitat for bats by planting trees and keeping old trees, especially those that blossom and bear fruit. It’s best not to use pesticides or nets with holes bigger than a finger and to keep pets such as cats and dogs indoors at night.

Bat boxes work for some species, but they tend to be the more common types.

Other fun bat facts: