The Department of Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian Government has processed two contracts for the acquisition of 340 refuge boxes aimed at promoting the conservation of bat colonies in public forests in the autonomous community. This project, which has involved an investment of almost 18,400 euros, will be financed from the Department’s own fund for the prevention and control of forest pests.
Juan Ramón Pérez Valenzuela, the Director General of Forest Policy and Biodiversity, emphasized that «the installation of these refuge boxes will strengthen Andalusian forest ecosystems by promoting the presence of bats, which are essential for controlling insect pests that affect the forest mass, such as the pine processionary moth or the hairy caterpillar.»
Bats, also known as chiroptera due to the unique structure of their wings, are the only mammals capable of flying. This ability, combined with the fact that many species feed on insects, makes them essential allies in integrated pest control strategies that can threaten the health of Andalusian forests. Thanks to their diet, which includes a wide variety of insects, they will significantly contribute to reducing populations of species with the potential to generate pests, such as those mentioned earlier, thus reducing the need to use phytosanitary products. This, in turn, as Pérez Valenzuela emphasized, will help minimize risks to health and the environment, in line with the sustainability principles promoted by the Andalusian Government.
The refuge boxes will be made from pine wood treated in an autoclave, a process in which the wood is impregnated with copper salts under vacuum, increasing its natural resistance to adverse weather conditions. This choice of material will ensure the durability of the refuges outdoors and reflect the Department’s interest in promoting responsible and sustainable use of Andalusian forest resources.
«The use of Andalusian wood in this project reinforces our commitment to the sustainable management of our region’s forest resources, promoting environmentally friendly practices and responsible use of our forests,» he added. He also pointed out that this effort will be part of a broader strategy that will integrate various protection methods to maintain ecological balance in the forested areas of the autonomous community.
Each of the 340 refuge boxes will be designed to facilitate the life of bats, with a carefully crafted interior: both striped faces will allow bats to move between compartments without the need to go outside, increasing their safety. A circular hole with a diameter of 50 millimeters, strategically located 50 millimeters from the side and 100 millimeters from the top, will facilitate passage between compartments, providing an optimal environment for these species. The boards, at least 15 millimeters thick, will be planed on both sides and edges, without oils, varnishes, or paints that could hinder the occupation of the boxes by bats, ensuring their proper functionality.
The manufacturing and supply of these refuges will be completed within three months, after which they will be distributed according to the needs of Andalusia’s public forests. Specifically, 110 units will be allocated to the Doñana Natural Space in the province of Huelva, with the aim of contributing to the control of the pine processionary moth (‘Thaumetopoea pytiocampa Schiff’). Another 110 will be assigned to the Grazalema Sierra Natural Park in the Serranía de Ronda area to combat the hairy caterpillar (‘Lymantria dispar L.’). This first batch has a budget of 12,000 euros.
The second batch, with an investment of 6,350 euros, involves the placement of 120 refuge boxes in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park, where these natural allies in the fight against pests will also combat the pine processionary moth. Both pests, the processionary and the limantria, are among the most damaging to Andalusian forest ecosystems.
A firm commitment to biodiversity
The Director General highlighted that «with this action, we will take a further step in the protection of our forests, ensuring that bats, silent but essential allies, will contribute to the health of our ecosystems.» The initiative will be overseen by the Biological Equilibria Department of the Sustainable Forest Management Service, ensuring that the entire process meets the technical and environmental standards established.
The placement of these refuge boxes will represent a significant advance in the integrated pest control strategy of the Andalusian Government, which will carefully evaluate the available protection methods, integrating coordinated actions to prevent new pest outbreaks and continuously monitor controlled organisms.