Long Island town uses bats to fight Zika

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., is asking the federal government for funding to fight the Zika virus before they break for summer recess. He says $1.9 billion in emergency funding is needed to answer to important questions, develop additional tests and vaccinations and help with prevention.

The Town of North Hempstead is using bats to combat mosquitoes. Bats eat mosquitos and other insects. Deputy Parks Commissioner John Darcy sanded a bat box or house that will be placed 15 to 30 feet high on a tree and can house up to 400 bats at a time.

Bats are nocturnal and can eat up to 1000 insects an hour. Clark Botanic Garden has over a dozen of these boxes. Supervisor Judi Bosworth says it is safer alternative to spraying.

To clear the bad stigma about bats, experts say they're not the kind that swoop down and cling to your hair or the ones that suck your blood.

People we spoke to like the idea -- anything to help prevent the Zika virus.

There have been more than 800 reported cases of Zika nationwide. The town will be installing more boxes as an inexpensive solution to a growing epidemic.