Home Bats in your Mexico City apartment? This UNAM initiative is saving them! 🦇

Bats in your Mexico City apartment? This UNAM initiative is saving them! 🦇

Sofia Mendoza-ClarkeApril 6, 20263 Mins read141

Summarize:

🦇 Bats in Your Apartment?! Mexico City’s Wildest Roommates Are Here! You WON’T Believe What’s Happening! 🦇

Okay, Mexico City, prepare for a plot twist! Forget your usual neighbors – we’re talking about BATS. Yes, actual, flying, nocturnal bats are making themselves at home in apartments, especially in places like Tlalpan. And while some folks are totally bugging out, others are embracing their new winged roomies! 😱

Meet the “Guardianes Alados” – Your New Bat Besties! ✨

This isn’t some urban legend, folks. It’s REAL. And it’s all thanks to an incredible initiative called Guardianes Alados (Winged Guardians) from the UNAM’s Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Terrestrial Vertebrates. These three fierce women – biologists Ameyalli Marín and Liliana Rosas, and sociologist Pamela Martínez – are on a mission to turn bat panic into bat love! ❤️

So, what sparked this bat-tastic project? Well, it all started with… *drumroll please*… bat poop. Yep, the accumulation of guano (that’s fancy for bat droppings) in apartment buildings was causing a stink. Literally! 💩

“The project consists of environmental education focused on bats… and also turning it into a kind of sanctuary,” explains Ameyalli Marín.

Mind. Blown. 🤯

Tlalpan’s Secret Bat Society: Who Are These Guys? 🦇🕵️♀️

In Tlalpan, they’ve identified at least three species chilling in the urban jungle:

Tadarida brasiliensis
Nyctinomops macrotis
Myotis velifer

And guess what? They’re all INSECTIVOROUS! That means they’re basically tiny, flying pest control experts, munching on bugs and keeping those annoying critters in check. Talk about a natural solution! 🦟🚫

During the day, these shy creatures hide in the nooks and crannies of buildings. But come sunset (around 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM), it’s showtime! They emerge in groups, giving residents a spectacular (and sometimes noisy) aerial display. 🦇✨

The Poop Problem: When Guano Gets Real 😬

While bats have been living alongside humans for two decades, the guano situation eventually hit a breaking point. Pamela Martínez describes it perfectly:

“It’s a pungent smell… it can cause headaches, runny nose, or watery eyes.”

Yikes! This led some neighbors to consider extreme measures, often because they just didn’t know how important these little guys are. But here’s where it gets interesting… 👇

The Bat-ter Side: Unsung Heroes of the City! 🦸♀️🦇

Far from being a pest, bats are ecological superstars! Insect-eating bats can devour HUGE amounts of insects every single night, helping to control pests that damage crops or spread diseases. Free pest control? Yes, please! 🙌

But wait, there’s more! Mexico City also has NECTAR-EATING bats that pollinate plants like agave, cacti, and flowers. Without them, we wouldn’t have tequila, mezcal, or pulque as we know it! 🍹🌵 So next time you’re sipping a margarita, thank a bat! 😉

And that guano we talked about? It’s actually LIQUID GOLD! 💰

“It has many nutrients, mainly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, so it can be used as an organic fertilizer,” explains Ameyalli Marín.

What was once a problem is now a resource! Talk about a glow-up! ✨

Myths vs. Reality: Are Bats REALLY That Scary? 😱

Let’s bust some bat myths right now! The biggest fear? RABIES. But Liliana Rosas sets the record straight:

“Less than 1% of bats transmit rabies… it’s more likely to get it from a dog or a cat.”

Phew! And those blood-sucking vampire bats? They don’t even live in Mexico City! Out of 1,500+ species worldwide, only three drink blood, and NONE of them feast on humans. So chill! 🧛♀️

Also, those respiratory issues? More likely seasonal allergies or temperature changes, NOT the bats. So stop blaming the poor little guys! 🤧

Bat in Your House?! Don’t Panic! Here’s What to Do! 🏡🦇

If a bat accidentally flies into your living room, the Guardianes Alados team has one golden rule: STAY CALM! And whatever you do, DON’T YELL or try to hit it! 🙅♀️

Here’s your bat rescue guide:

If it’s flying: Open a window, close interior doors, and let it fly out on its own. Easy peasy!
If it’s perched: Gently cover it with a box and release it outside. ALWAYS use gloves or a cloth to protect your hands. Think of it like relocating a spider – no biggie! 🕷️➡️🌳

These simple steps protect both you and your unexpected visitor! Win-win! 🎉

From Fear to Sanctuary: Tlalpan’s Bat Revolution! 🦇💖

The biggest win for Guardianes Alados? Changing minds! What started with rejection is now turning into understanding and even protection. As Pamela Martínez sums it up:

“They’re horrible, but I didn’t know they brought us so much… as long as they don’t get into my apartment.”

Hey, progress is progress! 😂

The ultimate goal? To turn these urban bat hangouts into official Mexico City sanctuaries! Imagine a city where bats aren’t just tolerated, but CELEBRATED! In a city as bustling as CDMX, learning to coexist with wildlife is EVERYTHING. And in Tlalpan, bats are no longer just annoying neighbors – they’re a vital part of the urban ecosystem, keeping the city ALIVE! 💚

Guardianes Alados is proving that Mexico City bats are NOT a plague. They’re a blessing in disguise! 🙏