Whether you eagerly count down the days until summer or dread the ensuing hot weather, here’s one thing we can all agree on: Mosquitoes are awful. In minutes, they can turn a dinner outside from a lovely evening into a miserable, itchy disaster.

You might even find yourself wondering if mosquitoes actually serve any real purpose, beyond annoying you. And what kinds of creatures might prey on them? One common question is, “Do bats eat mosquitoes?”

Are Mosquitoes Important to the Ecosystem?

Yes. Unfortunately for those who react really badly to bites, mosquitoes are vital to the ecosystem.

Mosquitos serve as pollinators for several plant species. They’re also a crucial part of the food chain. Mosquitoes are food for lots of creatures, including frogs, birds and yes, bats. Many of your favorite plants and animals depend on mosquitoes to survive.

Fortunately, because several animals eat mosquitoes and keep their population in check, you don’t have to suffer each summer. Instead, build homes for some of these mosquito predators — like bats — to attract them to your yard!

How Many Mosquitoes Do Bats Eat?

Lots.

Bats are superstars at eating mosquitoes. On average, a single bat can devour around 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour. So if you live somewhere with an unbearable mosquito population, you want bats around. One good way to attract them: Build a bat house for them.

How to Attract Bats to a Bat House

Your bat house will thrive if you’ve got a freshwater supply nearby, like a pond. It should also be about 15 to 20 feet off the ground, set in a warm location near pollinator-friendly flowers.

After it’s built, you just need to wait. Once the bats show up, they can help you control that pesky mosquito population.