New Jersey Bats Endangered This Halloween

“A disease called white-nose syndrome has been killing off thousands of bats throughout the northeast since early in the year,” says Leonard Douglen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Pest Management Association, “This symbol of Halloween is experiencing a significant population loss and we hope it is temporary.”

While bats in neighboring New York, Massachusetts and Vermont have been dying in large numbers, reports in New Jersey suggest the disease has not spread among the bat population. In August, however, the Department of Environmental Protection (NJPDEP) urged those who explore caves for recreation to take precautions against the possibility of spreading the disease from one cave to another.

“While state biologists are going to survey the state’s largest known hibernaculum to determine if the disease has reached here,” said Douglen, “homeowners and others who may encounter bats, often in attic areas, should contact pest management professionals because attempting to remove them on your own is not advised.”

Member firms of the association have been asked to inform the NJDEP if they find any dead bats that have the tell-tale white fungus around the bat’s noses.

Last year in caves near Albany, New York up to 11,000 bats, more than half of that area’s wintering population, were found dead and showed evidence of the disease. “It could have a devastating affect on New Jersey’s bats,” said Douglen, noting that most are known to over-winter in abandoned mines. At this point, NJDEP has not found any evidence of the disease.

“Bats aren’t the only creature that homeowners are likely to find this winter. Rodents move into homes and other structures during the winter because of the warmth they provide and sources of food and water,” said Douglen.

“Homeowners are advised to get a thorough inspection in order to take steps now to avoid sharing their homes with mice, rats, chipmunks, and squirrels. Low-hanging branches are a frequent avenue into a home and these should be trimmed back,” advises Douglen. “Chimneys should be capped to avoid problems with raccoons and other species.”

Douglen noted that people often forget that garages, whether attached or stand alone, also offer opportunities for harborage. “Weather stripping the door bottoms to ensure they are flush with the base when closed is recommended.” Outdoor wood piles should be stacked off the ground and away from homes.

“We hope that New Jersey’s bat population is spared white-nose syndrome,” said Douglen because they are Nature’s way of keeping the insect pest population under control. They eat millions of mosquitoes and other insects. Without them, the state would surely see an increase in a variety of insect pest problems come spring time. The result would be the potential for the spread of West Nile Fever and other mosquito-born diseases.”

 Founded in 1941, the New Jersey Pest Management Association maintains a website at www.njpestcontrol.com/nj.