7 million bats die from WNS: ‘We can’t stop this thing......"

[Sundowner]

First Bees now bats!

Regards,
Sun

Bucknell University Professor: White-nose Syndrome is ‘Unprecedented wildlife disaster.’
With 6.7 million bats already dead, scientists believe the fast-spreading disease called White-nose Syndrome could lead to the extinction of some species.

Lewisburg, PA (PRWEB) April 10, 2012

More than six million bats are dead, and millions more are expected to fall victim to a disease known as White-nose Syndrome, or WNS. First identified in the northeastern United States, WNS has wiped out an estimated 95% of Pennsylvania’s bat population and is quickly spreading across the country. It was most recently discovered in Missouri, Delaware and Alabama.

“This is like bringing small pox to the New World. It is surely an unprecedented wildlife disaster for North America,” said Bucknell University professor Dr. DeeAnn Reeder. Reeder is one of the country’s leading experts on WNS, and one of the researchers responsible for identifying the cause of the disease in 2011. “We can’t stop this thing. It’s marching across the country and we’re going to see some extinction.”......

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9383395.htm

[F22RaptorDude]

  Well time to pack the bags and move to Antarctica

[Sundowner]

Well time to pack the bags and move to Antarctica

Will that stop or slow the die-offs?


Regards,
Sun

[eagl]

Critters with white nose problems need to lay off the coke.

[Delirium]

I was considering buying some bat boxes for the edge of my property to thin the mosquito population. Besides, bats are really cool to watch at dusk.

Should I wait and does anyone have any experience with bat boxes?

[RTHolmes]

I'd go for it, sounds like they need as many different sites as possible. bats are cool

[mechanic]

 

[SmokinLoon]

I'd go for it, sounds like they need as many different sites as possible. bats are cool

Bats are very important players in the ecosystem.  They watermelon everywhere and make things green.  Not to mention they keep the bug populations in check.   

[RTHolmes]

yup, anything that lives off bugs is a friend of mine

[fbWldcat]

I was considering buying some bat boxes for the edge of my property to thin the mosquito population. Besides, bats are really cool to watch at dusk.

Should I wait and does anyone have any experience with bat boxes?

No, the time to get one would be now, before the disease runs rampant in every isolated bat cave and every animal (although it is soon getting there or already to that point if you're east of the Mighty Mississippi). Just make sure the bat box is VERY high up, or they will not settle in, as they will not have a comfortable height from which to drop from at night. I think at least 15' is recommended, but we have one bat box at 15' and bats all around that haven't settled in. 20' should be the bare minimum. Also, if you want to help protect the bats from WNS, you should clean it out every year or so, preferrably in the summer, and at night, when you know the bats are actively flying around and eating. Just some mild warm soapy water and a sponge, washed out with plenty of water afterwards should suffice.

[Rich52]

I propose 60 seconds of silence for prayor and remembrance.

[IrishOne]

I propose 60 seconds of silence for prayor and remembrance.
(Image removed from quote.)

 

[RTHolmes]

[mbailey]

Didnt see many this year in SE Pennsylvania.......we use to sit out on the deck and be dive bombed by the bats going after the bugs around one of the flood lights near our deck.......I think we say maybe 20 this year. We use to see 50+ a night.  Just sad

[phatzo]

Well I hope it gets the Fruitbat that shat on my bikes tank and peeled the paint.