Water Troughs
Measures to Improve Pest Control by Bats: Assessing the Effectiveness of Water Troughs in Increasing Bat Density in Horticultural Areas
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Grant agreement ID: ARP477/24/000012
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Start Date: 01/07/2025
End Date: 01/11/2026
The project aims to assess whether water troughs increase bat density in horticultural areas, a factor closely linked to biological pest control. Fieldwork will take place from June to October 2025 on ten organic horticultural farms in the province of Barcelona, particularly in Vallès Oriental and Osona. The farms will have similar water availability during July and August.
The study will compare bat hunting activity and density, as well as the incidence of the generalist pest Helicoverpa armigera, on five farms with water troughs and five without. Based on studies in other agroecosystems, the hypothesis is that greater water availability will increase bat density and that this, in turn, will reduce pest incidence.
If the results are considered useful, the project factsheet will include a cost–benefit assessment and practical guidance on installing water troughs. Participating farmers will also receive information about the bat species and their activity on their farms, as well as the incidence of Helicoverpa armigera.
