Please Don’t Wake the Bats in New York Caves

As we roll into Bat Week, it is the perfect time to remind Hudson Valley residents how to help protect our very important Bat population. They have an important role in the environment, and they are, in my opinion, super cute. Scenic Hudson has a great part of its website dedicated to New York Bats.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, we have nine bat species in New York State. Out of the nine, six are what are referred to a cave bats. This means that they hibernate for the winter in Hudson Valley caves and old mines. The other three types of bats migrate to warmer spots for the winter, similar to birds.

What is the Disease that Is Killing Bats in New York

You may have heard that over the years, we have been losing bats to a disease called White-nose syndrome (WNS). One species of New York bat, the Northern long-eared bat, is now on both the federal and state endangered list due to their population decline of almost 99 percent. Another bat that was common in New York also saw a decline, but now the population seems to be recovering.

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Basically, bats in New York are having a tough time, so during Bat Week (October 24th through the 31st). New York State is bringing awareness to the bat decline and what we can do to prevent it from continuing. The biggest thing you can do is avoid caves and mines starting in November and running through next April.

How Does White-nose Syndrome Kill Bats

Basically, WNS can make bats use up reserve energy while they are hibernating in our area caves and mines. This means they will use up their energy before spring, therefore causing them to not make it through the winter. The simple act of entering a cave or mine with hibernating bats can cause them this stress.

Even a single, seemingly quiet visit can kill bats that would otherwise survive the winter. If you see hibernating bats, assume you are doing harm and leave immediately. Anyone entering a listed bat hibernation site from November 1 through April 30 may be subject to prosecution.  (NYS DEC Press Release)

 

How To Help Protect Bats in New York State

There are other ways to help bats in the warmer months that you can plan for now. One thing you can do is plant a pollinator garden, which will increase insect populations and give bats food to feed on. You can install bat boxes on your property, which offer bats a safe place to roost, and if you need to get rid of a bat, make sure to call in a bat-certified wildlife professional to help with proper removal of the bat. Find a list of Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators in your area.