Bats Threatened by “White Nose Syndrome”
Bats in Southeast Ohio and throughout the United States perform a valuable service to local residents. They consume large amounts of insects and keep many insect populations like mosquitoes in check. Bats can consume up to ½ their body weight in insects every night. Scientists consider bats an extremely vital part of the environment.
However, according to Steve Shaffer President of A All Animal Control of SE Ohio (formerly Steve’s Wildlife Removal), bats have come under attack from a new disease that threatens the populations of all species of bats. Steve’s company which specializes in the exclusion and removal of bat colonies from buildings says little is currently known about this new disease.
Scientists have named the disease “White Nose Syndrome”. This name comes from the fact that the bats suffering from this phenomenon have a peculiar white fungus around their muzzles. At this time scientists don’t know if this white fungus is the cause of the problem, or if it is a secondary infection in the bats caused by some other infection.
This disease is currently being studied in the caves that the bats use to spend the winter, which are called hibernaculas. In these hibernacula’s, bats of all species spend the winter together. So far the disease has only been reported in New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. However the concern is that it could spread to other states. In some of these hibernacula’s the number of bats currently surviving has dropped from 90% and 97% between the winters of 2007 and 2008. The caves the disease has been documented in so far normally harbor approximately 400,000 bats. Also of sad note is the fact that there are approximately 44,500 of the federally endangered Indiana Bat species living in these caves.
The condition of the surviving bats in these caves is considered poor. They currently don’t have enough fat reserves left to survive the time remaining in winter. These bats also have been observed flying at night in extreme cold and roosting near the cave entrances where the temperature is much colder. Both these actions further deplete the bat’s fat reserves. The outlook for the survival of these bats is grim at best.
So far scientists do not know exactly how this disease is spread. Because many of these caves are popular with cavers (spelunkers), many states and private owners of bat hibernacula caves are restricting the access to these caves. This restriction is due to the fear that the disease could possibly be spread from cave to cave by being carried on the clothing and equipment of these cavers. In the caves still accessible it is recommended that a strict protocol be followed for disinfecting clothing and equipment after leaving a bat hibernacula.
What does this mean to the bats that inhabit the state of Ohio? At this time it is not known. The concern is that it could keep spreading and affect our local bat population. Since all species of bats inhabit these caves together, all species are affected.
When spring comes these surviving bats may spread the disease hundreds of miles as they return to their summertime roosts. Steve also has dealt with many instances where bats are now using the attics and walls of homes as hibernaculas during the winter. This could pose a serious health risk to humans if this disease is present in these bats.
What is also certain, says Steve, is that even in the summer bats will congregate in large numbers in their summertime roosts. This is especially true in the case of “Maternity” roosts, which are made up entirely of female bats and their young. These “Maternity” colonies can number in the thousands.
While bats themselves are beneficial, the vast majority of bats in Ohio have taken up residence in homes and other occupied buildings. This is due to habitat loss and other factors. Most often the areas bats inhabit in homes and buildings are the attics and the walls. When bats do take up residence in a home or other occupied building, they unfortunately can present a variety of health risks. Among these are Rabies, Histoplasmosis (contracted from the bats droppings called Guano), and Bat Bugs. And now this new possible health risk “White Nose Syndrome”. At this time it is not known if this disease is contractible by humans.
Because of all the different health risks from bats, Steve warns that no person should ever enter the roosting area of bats. Breathing the air in these areas can pose a significant health risk. Steve, who is a certified Bat Excluder of the organization of Bat Conservation International, says you should contact a professional who has the equipment and experience necessary to deal with the situation if you suspect bats are using your home or building. This applies to both summertime bat roosts and with bats using the building as a winter hibernacula.
Bats in Southeast Ohio and throughout the United States perform a valuable service to local residents. They consume large amounts of insects and keep many insect populations like mosquitoes in check. Bats can consume up to ½ their body weight in insects every night. Scientists consider bats an extremely vital part of the environment.
However, according to Steve Shaffer President of A All Animal Control of SE Ohio (formerly Steve’s Wildlife Removal), bats have come under attack from a new disease that threatens the populations of all species of bats. Steve’s company which specializes in the exclusion and removal of bat colonies from buildings says little is currently known about this new disease.
Scientists have named the disease “White Nose Syndrome”. This name comes from the fact that the bats suffering from this phenomenon have a peculiar white fungus around their muzzles. At this time scientists don’t know if this white fungus is the cause of the problem, or if it is a secondary infection in the bats caused by some other infection.
This disease is currently being studied in the caves that the bats use to spend the winter, which are called hibernaculas. In these hibernacula’s, bats of all species spend the winter together. So far the disease has only been reported in New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. However the concern is that it could spread to other states. In some of these hibernacula’s the number of bats currently surviving has dropped from 90% and 97% between the winters of 2007 and 2008. The caves the disease has been documented in so far normally harbor approximately 400,000 bats. Also of sad note is the fact that there are approximately 44,500 of the federally endangered Indiana Bat species living in these caves.
The condition of the surviving bats in these caves is considered poor. They currently don’t have enough fat reserves left to survive the time remaining in winter. These bats also have been observed flying at night in extreme cold and roosting near the cave entrances where the temperature is much colder. Both these actions further deplete the bat’s fat reserves. The outlook for the survival of these bats is grim at best.
So far scientists do not know exactly how this disease is spread. Because many of these caves are popular with cavers (spelunkers), many states and private owners of bat hibernacula caves are restricting the access to these caves. This restriction is due to the fear that the disease could possibly be spread from cave to cave by being carried on the clothing and equipment of these cavers. In the caves still accessible it is recommended that a strict protocol be followed for disinfecting clothing and equipment after leaving a bat hibernacula.
What does this mean to the bats that inhabit the state of Ohio? At this time it is not known. The concern is that it could keep spreading and affect our local bat population. Since all species of bats inhabit these caves together, all species are affected.
When spring comes these surviving bats may spread the disease hundreds of miles as they return to their summertime roosts. Steve also has dealt with many instances where bats are now using the attics and walls of homes as hibernaculas during the winter. This could pose a serious health risk to humans if this disease is present in these bats.
What is also certain, says Steve, is that even in the summer bats will congregate in large numbers in their summertime roosts. This is especially true in the case of “Maternity” roosts, which are made up entirely of female bats and their young. These “Maternity” colonies can number in the thousands.
While bats themselves are beneficial, the vast majority of bats in Ohio have taken up residence in homes and other occupied buildings. This is due to habitat loss and other factors. Most often the areas bats inhabit in homes and buildings are the attics and the walls. When bats do take up residence in a home or other occupied building, they unfortunately can present a variety of health risks. Among these are Rabies, Histoplasmosis (contracted from the bats droppings called Guano), and Bat Bugs. And now this new possible health risk “White Nose Syndrome”. At this time it is not known if this disease is contractible by humans.
Because of all the different health risks from bats, Steve warns that no person should ever enter the roosting area of bats. Breathing the air in these areas can pose a significant health risk. Steve, who is a certified Bat Excluder of the organization of Bat Conservation International, says you should contact a professional who has the equipment and experience necessary to deal with the situation if you suspect bats are using your home or building. This applies to both summertime bat roosts and with bats using the building as a winter hibernacula.
If you suspect bats in your attic, have the Pros at A All Animal Control inspect the attic and provide a resolution for this problem.
