Wildlife

Welfare of Bats Roosting in Human Structures

Bats roosting in buildings provide significant pest control services but face welfare challenges from exclusion, renovation, and deliberate removal.

Key Facts

A single little brown bat can eat up to 1000 mosquitoes per hour
Most US bat species are protected under state or federal law
Maternity colonies in buildings cannot be safely excluded during pup season
White-nose syndrome has killed millions of North American bats since 2006
Bat roosts provide important thermal stability for raising young

Welfare Considerations

Bats excluded from buildings during maternity season results in pups being stranded without their mothers. Improper exclusion techniques seal bats inside buildings where they die from starvation and heat. Deliberate killing with pesticides in roosts is illegal but still practiced. White-nose syndrome causes immense suffering in hibernating bats. Renovation of historic buildings routinely destroys roosting sites without welfare consideration.

What You Can Do

Never exclude bats from buildings during maternity season (typically May-August)
Hire wildlife professionals familiar with bat-friendly exclusion techniques
Install bat boxes before any renovation that removes roosting sites
Report suspected white-nose syndrome deaths to wildlife agencies