Bats are flying mammals. These nocturnal creatures use echolocation, a built-in sonar system, to navigate and locate prey in the dark. While often misunderstood, bats play a role in local ecosystems. Ohio is home to a variety of bat species.
Ohio’s Diverse Bat Species
Ohio is home to at least 13 bat species. The Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) is a prevalent species with brown fur. These bats often form large maternity colonies in structures like houses, barns, and tree hollows during summer, consuming small flying insects.
The Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is a widespread species, larger than the Little Brown Bat, with reddish-brown fur. These bats frequently roost in attics, shutters, and trees, forming colonies that can range from a few individuals to hundreds. Unlike many other species, they can tolerate subfreezing temperatures and may hibernate in attics or walls.
The Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis) is a tree-dwelling bat with reddish-brown fur, often blending with tree foliage where they roost. They are solitary and feed on moths and other flying insects. The Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus), Ohio’s largest bat, has dark fur tipped with white, giving it a frosted appearance. Hoary Bats are solitary and often migrate south for the winter.
The Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) is a medium-sized bat with black fur tipped with silver or white. These migratory tree bats are found in forests near water, roosting under loose bark of dead or dying trees.
Two federally endangered species inhabit Ohio: the Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) and the Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis). The Indiana Bat is grayish-brown and hibernates in large clusters in caves and abandoned mines. Females form maternity colonies under loose tree bark in summer. The Northern Long-eared Bat is a medium-sized bat, distinguished by its long ears. They roost under bark or in tree cavities during summer and hibernate in caves and mines.
The Role of Bats in Ohio’s Ecosystem
Bats in Ohio provide ecological benefits through their role as insect predators. Most Ohio bat species are insectivorous. These nocturnal hunters emerge at dusk to forage, consuming vast quantities of flying insects.
A single bat can consume thousands of mosquitoes and other flying insects in one night, potentially eating its body weight in insects. This natural pest control helps manage populations of agricultural pests and disease-carrying insects, such as mosquitoes, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Protecting Ohio’s Bat Populations
Ohio’s bat populations face threats, leading to declines in recent decades. A cause of decline, particularly for cave-dwelling species, is White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). This fungal disease, caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, irritates hibernating bats, causing them to wake frequently and deplete their fat reserves, often leading to starvation. WNS has spread rapidly across North America since its discovery in 2006, severely impacting species like the Little Brown Bat, Indiana Bat, and Northern Long-eared Bat, with some populations experiencing declines of 90% or more.
Beyond disease, habitat loss and fragmentation also pose threats to bat populations. Many species rely on specific types of trees for roosting and raising young, as well as caves and mines for hibernation. The Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat are federally recognized as endangered species.
Conservation initiatives monitor bat populations and protect their habitats. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and other organizations conduct surveys, implement habitat protection measures, and research solutions to WNS.
Living Alongside Bats
Coexisting with bats involves understanding their behavior and taking precautions. Bats are not aggressive and prefer to avoid human contact. While bats can carry rabies, the incidence is low, with fewer than 4% of bats testing positive in Ohio. However, any direct contact with a bat, especially if a bite or scratch occurs or cannot be ruled out, should be reported to a local health department for guidance and potential testing of the bat.
Homeowners can encourage bats to roost in beneficial locations by installing bat houses. Bat houses should be placed 10 to 20 feet high in open areas.
If a bat is found inside a living space, remain calm. If the bat is flying, open windows and doors to the outside and turn off interior lights, allowing the bat to exit on its own. If the bat lands, and there has been no human or pet contact, it can be safely contained using thick gloves and a container, then released outdoors when temperatures are suitable. However, if the bat appears sick or injured, or if there’s any uncertainty about contact, contact a wildlife professional or local animal control for safe removal and assessment. It is illegal to intentionally harm or kill bats in Ohio, and specific seasonal restrictions apply to bat exclusion from buildings to protect maternity colonies and hibernating bats.