Hatboro’s Justin Hoffman, a biochemistry major at Albright College, and fellow student Joshua Reeder will be studying bats and organic pest management over the summer as part of a co-operation between Albright College and the Rodale Institute, according to a staff report from BCTV.org.

Rodale was awarded a $15,000 grant by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture and Research Partnership to research the role bats play in an integrated pest management strategy.

Albright’s resident bat expert, Karen Campbell, Ph.D., and Rodale scientist Kate Harms asked Hoffman and Reeder to assist with the study as part of the Albright Creative Research Experience program.

They are using ultrasonic acoustic equipment to monitor the presence of bats in orchards, vegetable patches, and grain fields, while tracking the rate at which they zoom in on insects.

The study is good news for farmers who are trying to find organic ways to manage pests in their fields.

“This project with Rodale is a great opportunity for us to learn more about bats and agriculture while helping a nonprofit organization,” said Campbell.

Read more about the study at BCTV.org by clicking here.