BUFFALO, N.Y. — International Bat Week is being recognized from October 24 through 31 and like every year, it is just in time for Halloween.
While these furry flying mammals can be fun to watch and learn about, this year New York conservation experts are advising people to respect the spooky and often fantasized creatures.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is encouraging people to hold back from exploring caves and mines this fall and winter and to resist the urge to seek out bats in the wild.
Bats help control pest populations by eating insects and can also help limit the amount of pesticides that are needed for crops and gardens, the DEC states.
In addition, they also can help keep mosquito numbers low and limit the spread of invasive insects across the state.
According to DEC experts, bats spend the winter hibernating in underground cavities where relatively constant, warm temperatures protect them from harsh winter temperatures above ground. During that time, any disturbance can be harmful because their health is vulnerable.
“Bats play a critical role in our environment and in pollination of many commercially and locally important fruit species,” said Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar in a press release.
“The DEC urges outdoor adventurers to protect New York’s bats by avoiding caves and mines altogether. Even the quietest cave visits will disturb bats settling down for the winter.”
The DEC warns that any individuals found entering a listed bat hibernation site from now until April 30 can be subject to fines.
If you'd like to appreciate the Chiroptera in a controlled environment, the Buffalo Zoo has bats year-round to visit, at their M&T Bank Rainforest Falls exhibit.
Unlike the more common Brown and Northern bats found in New York state, the bats at the Buffalo Zoo are the 'Common Vampire Bat' or Desmodus rotundus that are usually found in Central America.
The Buffalo Zoo is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas. General admission is $21.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors, $15.95 for kids, and children 2 and under are free.
The DEC also shared a list of ways New Yorkers can support and care for the bat population in the lead-up to Halloween:
- Plant a pollinator garden to increase prey availability for bats, who feed on insects
- Put up a bat box on your property to offer bats a summer roost safe from predators and human activity (see options for bat box designs and DIY instructions)
- Contact a bat-certified Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) when looking to remove bats safely from your homes (find a list of NWCOs).
If you'd like to learn more about Bat Week visit https://batweek.org/.
