Bat Friendly Community

Frequently Asked Questions about Bats

• What is White Nose Syndrome?

  White nose syndrome (WNS) (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) is a fungal disease that affects hibernating bats, in some cases the fungus appears as a white fuzz on the bat's noses but can appear on other parts of the body. WNS causes discomfort and abnormal behaviour in hibernating bats, this results in them burning off valuable fat reserves and can ultimately lead to starvation during the winter months.

  WNS was first discovered in North America in 2006 and has since spread throughout the US and Canada. WNS has been detected in guano collected in BC, but has not yet been found on Vancouver Island.   

  WNS poses no known threat to human health. 
  
  Fact sheet produced by B.C. Ministry of Environment, B.C. Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and the B.C. BAT Action Team. 
  
   

• How do the bats get into the bat houses?

  The entrance to the houses is located at the bottom. 

• Will the bat house attract more bats to my neighbourhood?

  No, not necessarily. Our bat houses have been placed in locations that likely already have bats, we are providing additional safe roosting sites to help protect our bat populations and keep them healthy.

• Is bat guano dangerous?

  Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease of the lungs that can be spread by bats and some bird species, fortunately, there are no documented cases in BC so it is not a health concern here. To err on the side of caution, if you are collecting guano, avoid breathing in dust from droppings in enclosed spaces.

   

• Don’t all bats have rabies? Should I be concerned?

  Less than 0.5% of bats in the wild carry the disease so exposure to rabies from bats is a very low health risk but precautions should always be taken. Avoid touching or picking up a bat with your bare hands, and keep pet vaccinations up to date. If exposed to a bite or scratch, consult a healthcare provider immediately. 

• How does helping bats benefit me?

  Bats provide some of the best pest control available, a healthy bat population means you can enjoy your yard in the evening free of pesky mosquitoes. 

• How can I encourage bats to visit my garden?

  Providing food - All BC bats eat night-flying insects such as moths, mosquitos and beetles, planting native plants and night-blooming light coloured flowers with a heavy scent will help attract them to your garden. 

  Provide shelter - Trees are natural roosting sites, consider adding a few trees to your garden. Dead trees are also valuable habitat for bats and other wildlife, if you have a dead tree on your property that requires removal consider leaving a portion of it as a wildlife stump. 

  Provide water - Adding a small pond to your garden can benefit all types of wildlife.

  Avoid pesticides - Rely on natural methods to control pests. 

  Avoid excessive lighting - Although garden lighting can be attractive, it also affects wildlife. Lighting makes bats more visible to predators and may affect when and where they hunt. 

  What to plant?
  
  Native plants - insect populations have evolved with native plants as hosts, planting native plants allows native insects to thrive in your garden. Oak trees are highly beneficial to all wildlife, but there are lots of plant choices for gardens of all sizes.

  Herbs - many herbs are strongly aromatic and attract a wide range of insects

  Non-invasive ornaments plants - Moonflower, night-scented stocks, evening primrose and four o’clocks are all great garden choices.