Tag Archives: Northern Long-Eared bat

Valiant Efforts Being Made to Abate White Nose Syndrome in Bats

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White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a serious and deadly disease that affects species of hibernating bats. Millions of bat populations have already been wiped out due to this deathly syndrome, which is immensely sad considering the high ecological and economic importance of bats. Fortunately, there are valiant efforts currently being made to slow the spread of, and eventually put a stop to, this terrifying bat disease.

Continue reading to learn more about what’s being done to save our bats from White-nose syndrome.

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White-Nose Syndrome (WNS)

The White-nose syndrome (WNS) diseases is caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). This fungus appears in the form of white fuzz or powder around the snout of bats, hence its moniker. Because Pseudogymnoascus destructans grows best in cold, dark, damp locations, hibernating bats are prime collateral damage since they tend to inhabit caves and similar areas with cold, damp conditions.

White-nose syndrome fungal spores can survive on surfaces for an extended amount of time, and can spread rapidly among bat colonies throughout the country. One of the first discovered cases of white-nose syndrome occurred back in 2006, when a cave explorer took a picture of a bat in a cave outside of Albany, New York. Today, the disease in found in bat populations all across the United States.

Current Efforts to Find a Solution

Although various bat populations have been affected by this deadly diseases, the top three species that suffered the most include Northern long-eared bats, Little brown bats, and Tricolored bats. Unfortunately, there is no cure for white-nose syndrome, but efforts are continuing to preserve and protect our healthy bat colonies from becoming infected.

Currently, vaccines are being tested, and several experimental treatments are being implemented, to find a solution to this ecological problem. Furthermore, studies are being done to investigate and evaluate the spread of white nose syndrome, and learning how to make positive environmental and habitat changes for bats.

Nuisance Bat Problems

Bats are an incredible mammal, and offer numerous benefits to our surrounding environment and ecosystems. However, if you are experiencing nuisance bat problems, contact a Kentucky bat removal and control company for safe and humane service.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control Company To Call

Call 553-502-7622 for prompt and professional 24 hour bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding areas. We are DNR licensed bat removal contractors that offer safe and non-lethal, 24 hour bat extraction and exclusion services for residential and commercial properties. We also provide bat cleanup and minor attic restorations for bat damages too. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Facts About the Northern Long-Eared Bat

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One of the most well-known facts about Northern Long-Eared Bats, or “Northern Myotis”, is that they are federally listed as a threatened species. This unfortunate fact can make us appreciate the native bat species in the United States, and motivate us to advance our initiatives to protect and preserve them. If you would like to learn some more interesting and important facts about this incredible mammal, continue reading below!

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Northern Long-Eared Bat – Northern Myotis

☙ Threatened, but Not Yet Endangered

As mentioned above, Northern Long-Eared Bats (Myotis septentrionalis) are listed as a federally-threatened species under the United States Endangered Species Act. The term “endangered” describes an animal that is still in existence, but at serious risk of becoming extinct. The term “threatened” describes animal that is at serious risk of becoming endangered. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an endangered species program that makes continuing efforts to identify, protect, and restore threatened and endangered species all across the country.

☙ A Flying Mammal in the Microchiroptera Suborder

The Northern Long-Eared Bat is part of the Microchiroptera suborder, also known as microbats. These bats, along with their fellow suborder, Megabats, are the only mammals on Earth that are capable of true flight! Although some animals, like the Flying Squirrel, can soar and float for extended lengths of time, they are not true fliers, such as birds and, in this case, microbats!

☙ Long Ears as the Name Suggests

Northern Long-Eared Bats are small, averaging in body lengths between 3 and 3.7 inches. However, they have particularly longer ears compared to other species within the Myotis Genus. This is their most distinguishable trait, hence their name! As for the rest of their appearance, the fur on their back ranges in color from medium to dark brown, while their underbellies are lighter browns and tans. For such small bat they have an impressive wingspan, averaging between 9 and 10 inches in width.

☙ Native to Kentucky and Bordering States

The geographic range of the Northern Long-Eared Bat species includes 37 states, as well as, Southern Canada east of British Columbia. Part of this range includes Kentucky. They are often found roosting in the Northern parts of the state, also as their name suggests. Additional U.S. states include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

☙ Winter is a Time for Hibernacula

Northern Long-Eared Bats usually roost inside tree cavities and underneath tree bark during the spring and summer. In the winter, they find a warm spot with high humidity and no air currents so they can enter into Hibernacula, also known as hibernation. During this time, they are commonly found roosting in abandoned mines and caves; however, when more convenient, many choose residential and commercial structures, like sheds, garages, attics, crawl spaces, and more.

Louisville Bat Control

Louisville Bat Removal Kentucky

Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional Louisville bat removal you can trust. We are DNR licensed and insured professionals that provide residential and commercial bat control services. We also provide minor attic restorations caused by bat damages, as well as free estimates, DIY advice, and more! Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate for 24 hour bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky today.

Northern Long-Eared Bats are on the U.S. Threatened Species List

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Under the endangered species act, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service added the Northern Long-Eared Bat to the list of threatened species in our country. The ruling when into effect in May of this year.

The difference between “threatened” and “endangered” is significant. A threatened species is predicted to become endangered in the foreseeable future; whereas an endangered species is soon to be extinct.

Although not yet facing extinction, this is a sad year for this incredible species, and we should take some time to learn more about Northern Long-Eared bats and why their populations are facing endangerment.

Northern Myotis

The Northern Long-Eared bat, formally known as Myotis Keenii, is commonly referred to as Northern Myotis or Myotis septentrionalis. It is a small bat native to North America, averaging sizes no more than 3 to 5 inches and weighing no more than an ounce or two. They are primarily found in the Mid to Eastern parts of the country, starting in states like Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, down through the Carolinas and even Alabama, and all the way up to Main and Canada.

Northern Long-Eared bats dwell in caves and wooded forests, roosting in trees during the day and searching for food at night. Being nocturnal, they are mostly active during the dusk, evening, and early morning hours, and then rest during the daytime. After a few days, they switch roosting areas, so they are often in search of new shelter at night as well.

As microbats do, they eat a wide variety of small insects, like moths, mosquitos, beetles, flies, gnats, and more. In the fall they migrate to caves and other similar locations to hibernate for the winter in populations of 100 bats or more. Emerging in March or April, Northern Long-Eared bats then breed and raise their young though the spring and summer.

White-Nose Syndrome is to Blame

One of the conclusions scientists and researchers have come to regarding the downfall of the Northern Long-Eared bat is that disease is the threat. White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a common disease that spreads easily and quickly among bat populations, and most all bats are at risk of contracting the illness. This disease seems to be the reason why this species of bat have now become a threatened one.

White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that attacks the bat’s skin. It is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and can be detected by a visible white fungal growth around the wings, snouts, and muzzles of bats; hence the moniker. Assumed to come from Europe, this disease is now wide-spread throughout North America and has wiped out over 5 million bats in just the past four years. White-Nose Syndrome can kill up to 98% of a bat population at a time. It is a serious threat to all species of bat, and mammal as well.

Protect Bats and Your Home

It is important to never harm, kill, catch, or trap bats under any circumstances. Not only are they an imperative part of our natural surrounding Eco-system, it is often against the law to do so anyway. If you have a bat in the attic, or bats around your house, it is best to call a professional wildlife removal company for safe and legal assistance. They use non-lethal methods to exclude bats, prevent future bat problems, and relocate bats to a faraway habitat.

Bat Removal Louisville

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional bat removal in Louisville, Kentucky. We are DNR licensed and experienced wildlife rescue and control specialists that only use safe and humane methods of bat exclusion. We offer a wide range of services for residential and commercial properties, including minor structural damage repairs, bat removal and control, bat cleanup, bat proofing, and more. Call 502-553-7622 to learn how to protect bats and your home from bats in Louisville, KY and its surrounding counties.