The link between Halloween and Bats?

[Bretrick]

Bats are one of the most common Halloween symbols today, but their connection with the holiday is multi-layered, dating right back to its roots.
It's thought that the bonfires built to ward off evil spirits during Samhain, the pagan festival from which Halloween is derived, would attract insects.
These, in turn, would attracts bats, meaning bats were closely linked to this holiday.
Not only that, but a lot of vampires folklore states that vampires can turn into bats, giving them an extra spooky edge.
And folklore aside, bats are pretty scare-worthy. Vampire bats live off the blood of animals - and sometimes people - and drink your blood for up to 30 minutes. Definitely Halloween material.

 

[Fyrefox]

I engaged in mortal combat with a bat in my basement one year. I must have looked ludicrous, a badminton racket in one hand, and a broom in the other as my weaponry! As the bat flew in crazy circles around the ceiling, I finally scored a good hit with my broom, then swept the unconscious bat into a dust pan, and carried him outside. Checking on him later, I found that the bat was gone, so he must have just been stunned, as I had hoped…

…’ya just gotta do what ‘ya gotta do to defend your castle!