Local Eagle Scout proposes six bat houses at Rock Creek park to aid mosquito control

An Eagle Scout candidate presented a park project proposal to build and install six bat houses in Rock Creek Park to provide habitat for insect-eating bats and reduce mosquitoes.

Matt Payne, Dawson County park and recreation director, introduced Justin Clark, a member of Troop 109, who described his Eagle Scout project. Clark said he plans to construct six standard four-chamber bat houses, painted black, to mount about 10 feet high on trees in the park. "Bats are a natural and safe mosquito control," Clark said, adding that bats can consume large numbers of mosquitoes nightly and that the boxes will be low-maintenance once installed.

Clark said the houses are designed to attract species such as the northern long-eared bat and the big brown bat, which face habitat pressures. He pointed to local and national examples of bat-house use in parks. Clark estimated each four-chamber box could house roughly a dozen bats once established.

Commissioners and the park director asked practical questions about mounting (on trees about 10 feet high), potential droppings beneath the houses and whether poles would be used; Clark and Payne said they plan to mount the boxes on trees and not over seating areas.

Why it matters: The project is an Eagle Scout service project being reviewed for approval and a photograph was requested to accompany Clark’s application; it combines habitat enhancement and a public-health goal of mosquito control.

Commissioners were supportive and the park director noted the board would vote on the project in two weeks; staff took a photo for the Eagle Scout application at the meeting.