Disappearing Bats

Recently, I was asked why there seems to be less bats in the night sky. White-nose Syndrome is responsible for the rapid decline in the bat population. These lovely little creatures are nature's defense against a burgeoning mosquito population.

Last year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species biologist Susi von Oettingen talked about white-nose syndrome in bats and investigated a hibernaculum in an abandoned mine and the area around it.

The Fishing Spider

Can a spider eat a frog? Watch this video from NatGeo and find out!



Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

White-Nose Syndrome = More Mosquitoes

White-Nose Syndrome has been associated with the deaths of more than a million bats. Named for a distinctive ring of fungal growth around the muzzles and on the wings of many affected bats, it was first identified in a cave in Schoharie County, New York in February 2006. To date, it has spread to other caves in New York caves and into Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire,New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Ontario, Canada. As reported in The Huffington Post, White-Nose Syndrome could decimate the brown bat populations in the Northeast.

The fungus grows on the nose, wing membranes and ears of bats while they hibernate during the winter. Researchers report that his causes the bats to wake up frequently, burning up vital fat stores, resulting in starvation.

Bats are vital to insect control, particularly mosquitoes which spread EEE, West Nile Virus, and other potentially fatal diseases.

If you're concerned about the mosquito population around your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net