Some of the most interesting animals of summer are bats. Bats are the second most diverse mammals with 1,200+ unique species worldwide. Also, bats are one of the most important animals regarding ecological significance. They are functionally pollinators, pest control, seed dispersers, and fertilizers globally. Within Virginia, bats will begin to become active around late March to early April, emerging from their winter hibernation or migrating back to the region. Then, they will remain active within the region until early September for females and as late as October for males. Bats are crepuscular, meaning that they are active within the hours that surround dawn and dusk with bouts of rest (or roost) in between. For Prince William County, we will explore the bat species found in Prince William County, their ecological significance, threats that bats face, and how to assist them.
Within Prince William County, eight possible species of bats can be found during the summer:
Big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)
Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis)
Evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis)
Silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus)
Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus)
Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)
All eight of these species are insectivores, meaning that they exclusively eat insects. Even though many people believe that bats eat only mosquitoes and moths, the truth is that bats do not discriminate in what insects they eat. They will consume all insects in all stages of life. This generalist feeding preference is why they are such an important group of animals for pest control. Insectivorous bats eat approximately 50%-100% of their body weight in insects every night during the summer, benefitting the agricultural industry by saving billions of dollars per year in pest control!
However, many species of bats are declining in population sizes due to three major issues:
White-nose syndrome - a fungus that alters their normal behavior during their rest periods in the winter and affects the integrity of their tissues, many times presenting as a white fungus growing on the nose, face, and wings
Wind turbines - tree bats, or bats that rest in trees, mistake wind turbines as large trees to try to rest in and are hit by the large blades
Habitat degradation - Deforestation, disturbing caves, and disturbing other resource locations can affect whether or not a bat has enough resources to survive
Even though bats face many problems, we can do our part to assist! One of the most prevailing problems surrounding bats is the stigma that surrounds them. Many people are scared of bats and do not recognize their importance. Through community outreach and education, we can have more members of the public understand these animals and realize their benefits to our planet!
In addition to a need for more bat advocacy, there are many ways to make an impact on bats through simple actions.
The white-nose syndrome fungus can spread very easily from one habitat to another. If you ever walk into a cave or a habitat where bats are found, be sure to wash all clothes in hot water and soak shoes and gear in hot water for at least 20 minutes
Advocate your agencies that have wind turbines for them to install acoustic deterrents on their wind turbines or for them to slow/stop wind turbines during times when bats are the most active
Think twice before cutting down a dead tree on your property! Dead-standing trees, or snags, are excellent places for bats to rest, and many bats rely on snags over other trees. Be sure to have your snag assessed for stability and safety before deciding to leave it standing
Consider purchasing or building a bat box to assist bats in having more places to roost. Please follow the links below to find out more information on installing and maintaining bat boxes in your area:
Article by Chandini Montgomery, VMFMN Social Media Manager
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