This week on Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt W. Knight takes the podcast on the road for a visit with returning guest Mark King, better known to listeners for his expertise in composting but also a lifelong bat enthusiast and researcher. King shares how one charismatic biology professor changed the direction of his career, eventually leading him to graduate research studying little brown bats and more than three decades of working with bats in Maine.

Together they explore why bats are so important to Maine’s ecosystems, the challenges posed by white-nose syndrome and practical ways homeowners can coexist with bats, including the use of bat houses and alternative roosting sites. They also put some common bat myths to the test: Are bats blind? Do they get tangled in your hair? Are they all carrying rabies? Do they really want to suck your blood?

Along the way, King shares stories from years of studying bat behavior, working with homeowners and helping people better understand these often-misunderstood nighttime neighbors. If bats make you nervous, this episode might just turn you into a bat fan.

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