Have you noticed that there are more bugs this summer?? There is a sad reason for that... 95% of the north east bat population have died!!!
WHY are they dying?? White nose syndrome. This is a horrible disease, a fungus, believed to have been tracked into caves by hikers. This terrible syndrome grows on the face and body of the bats, stopping its natural hibernation and starving the bats; causing them into a forced re-entry looking for food…but in January there are no insects so they die from cold and starvation.
Now why do we need bats? Well for starters, 1000 insects, gnats, moths and other bugs are eaten an hour per bat each night. Without them, we are inundated and overloaded with bugs. One farmer in Pennsylvania called it “apocalyptic” he said that he had only 2-3 years left before he would not be able to farm. Bugs are eating crops at such an alarming rate that using organic/natural pesticides are no longer possible. Harsher and more toxic chemicals are now needed.
Here are some basic bat facts:
1: Bats DO NOT fly at you in your hair! They have sonar and can tell where anything is at all times. We got sonar from bats to use in submarines.
2: Bats do not suck your blood. 70% of all bats worldwide eat insects. The other 30% eat fruits and drink a teaspoon of animal blood.
3: Thanks to the blood drinking varieties we got an anti-coagulant from the saliva of bats... an essential medicine to heart attack and stroke victims.
4: Bats are mammals, more closely related to humans than rodents. They are loving caring mothers. Very family orientated, very clean, social and headed toward the endangered species list!
How can we help? Get a bat house. A bat house gives them a safe home and you will not have to use bug spray in your back yard! And not to mention that guano (bat poop) is good for the garden. Also, have your kids go to: savelucythebat.org. This site explains the plight and facts of brown bats and ways they can help.
Facts from: Defenders of wildlife; bat rescue.org ; save Lucy the little brown bat; & bats4kids.org.
By Kim Bjorge, Photographer, Potter, Wildlife Rehabilitator and Croton Mom
