Michael Swanson, a candidate for Eagle Scout from Troop 39, Morris Plains, will be installing three bat houses in the local parks to attract bats – the primary nocturnal insectivores.

The bat houses provide a safe home for these natural insect predators and are an alternative to roosting in homes.  Each bat house will be mounted on a pole approximately 12-20 feet above the ground.

While some people think bats are pests, bats are actually pest controllers eating thousands of insects every night.

The bat houses will be constructed by Swanson and the Boy Scouts from his troop and one each will be installed at Community Park, Watnong Park and at the Morris Plains Community Garden.