B-945

Bats

By Rich Olson, Department of Renewable Resources

Unwarranted fear of bats has prompted the use of potentially dangerous chemicals to kill the animals in buildings. This has resulted in declining bat populations as well as creating public health hazards by increasing contacts between humans and sick bats and exposing people to dangerous pesticides. Insecticides have further reduced bat populations through the ingestion of contaminated insects and a reduction of the insect supply, a major food item in the bat diet. In addition, thousands of bats die annually from people disturbing their maternity or hibernation roosts in caves, mines, buildings, or trees.

This bulletin was prepared to explain the characteristics and habitats of bats, to discuss their beneficial feeding habits, and to offer information about how to use more effective, non-lethal methods for managing problem bats.