Bees & Bats!
​Bees and bats may seem like unlikely partners, but together they play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting pollination. While bees are well-known for directly pollinating flowers and crops, bats, especially insect-eating species, help protect these pollinators by naturally controlling pest populations. In Nova Scotia, the brown bat is an important nighttime ally, feeding on insects that can harm plants and disrupt habitats that bees depend on and by keeping the population of the Wax Moth down. Understanding the connection between bees and bats can provide a better appreciation as to how these two species work in harmony to support biodiversity, strengthen pollination systems, and sustain our food supply.
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Bats of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is home to a small but important group of bat species that play a vital role in the province’s ecosystems. These include year-round residents like the Little Brown Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Tri-colored Bat, as well as seasonal visitors such as the Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Eastern Red Bat, and Silver-haired Bat.
Guardians of the Bees
All of these bats are insect-eaters, emerging at dusk to feed on moths, beetles, and other night-flying insects. By naturally controlling pest populations, they help protect forests, crops, and the habitats that pollinators like bees depend on. Despite their importance, several of Nova Scotia’s bat species are now endangered due to habitat loss and white-nose syndrome, making awareness and conservation efforts more important than ever.
Greenfield Bats
At Greenfield Hives & Honey, we are taking an active role in supporting local wildlife by installing several bat houses to provide safe, welcoming habitat for Nova Scotia’s native bat species, including the Little Brown Bat and Big Brown Bat. These bats are incredible natural pest controllers, and we’re especially interested in observing how effective they are at helping reduce populations of wax moths—one of the more common threats to healthy beehives.
By encouraging bats to live nearby, we hope to strengthen the natural balance between pollinators and pest control, creating a healthier environment for our bees to thrive. This project is an exciting step in exploring how bats can act as true “bee guardians” in a sustainable, chemical-free way. Follow along on our social media channels as we share updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes moments of these amazing nighttime allies in action.
