Polskie LNG declares war on insects

To clarify, the company has enlisted the help of bats, which will be brought to Swinoujscie to help reduce the local mosquito population. Specifically, ‘bat houses’ have been hung along the routes in the surrounding area of the LNG terminal in the right-bank part of the city, which has been identified as conducive to the reproduction of insects.

This is the first stage of the ‘ComBATing Mosquitoes’ campaign, which was launched by Polskie LNG this year, and which is an example of pro-environmental action. Polskie LNG claims that the use of bats will help contribute to the reduction of toxic chemical insecticides used so far, which have been found to be harmful to both bees and butterflies.

According to the statement, one bat can consume approximately 10 000 insects in one night, and half of this diet may consist of mosquitoes.

Michal Szklarski, environmental specialist at Polskie LNG Company, said: “A bat is a great hunter who loves to chase mosquitoes. That is why we decided to invite more of those mammals to feeding grounds near the LNG terminal. The new bat houses will sooner or later attract more bats and perhaps they will inhabit them with their bat families.”

According to the statement, Polskie LNG environmental specialists would also like to encourage local residents to buy similar bat houses, claiming that combating the mosquitoes will be more effective with more ‘bird huts’ for swallows and swifts.

Piotr Piwowarczyk, director of the Museum of Coastal Defense at Fort Gerhard where several bat houses and bird huts were installed, said: “The more natural predators of those ‘bloodsucker’ mosquitoes, the better.

“It is easy to prove that every single bat can make a great difference in terms of the comfort for the staff of the fort and tourists visiting our facility.”

Polskie LNG claims that the next phase of ‘ComBATing mosquitoes’ will be implemented in a few weeks. The company is planning to organise interactive classes for children and teenagers with the participation of scientists and bat lovers.”

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/regasification/01052019/polskie-lng-declares-war-on-insects/