Are Ohio Bats in Danger of Extinction?

Ohio has 11 species of bats and the July 2018 endangered and threatened species list has all 11

Ohio bats listed at some level of threat toward their future. This should be a concern to us because it is a red flag that bats could become a thing of the past if we do not take action today. All Ohio bats are insectivores which means they eat insects. One bat can consume over 1000 insects such as mosquitoes, moths and beetles a night. They are natures form of insect control. If the bats did not exist than we would have a serious economical problem. The insects would cause serious devastation to crops which means the cost of our food would increase dramatically. Farmers would be forced to use more pesticides on crops and we all know how pesticides negatively affect the environment. Human diseases would also increase as many insects transmit diseases to humans. With no bats to control the insects, more humans will now be affected by insect bites.

See complete list on Division of Wildlife website

OHIO ENDANGERED SPECIES

• Indiana myotis - Myotis sodalis (Also on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered list)

OHIO THREATENED SPECIES

• Northern long-eared bat - Myotis septentrionalis (Also on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service threatened list)

OHIO SPECIES OF CONCERN

• Eastern small-footed bat - Myotis leibii
• Rafinesque’s big-eared bat - Corynorhinus rafinesquii
• Little brown bat - Myotis lucifugus
• Big brown bat - Eptesicus fuscus
• Tri-colored bat - Perimyotis subflavus
• Silver-haired bat - Lasionycteris noctivagans
• Red bat - Lasiurus borealis
• Hoary bat - Lasiurus cinereus

OHIO SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Evening bat - Nycticeius humeralis

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Bat numbers are decreasing around the country for several reasons such as white nose syndrome ( a fungus affecting cave dwelling bats), habitat destruction and senseless killing of bats to just name a few.

First, bats are not a threat to humans. Only 3 bat species drink blood and they live in Central and South America. Less than half of 1% bats carry rabies. You actually have a higher chance of a rabies bite from a dog than from bats.

Provide a habitat for bats in your area. You can build/purchase a bat house to install in your yard. Do not place these on trees as bats are open to predators on trees. Place on poles or side of a structure at least 15 feet above ground and a minimum of 6 hours sunlight. Do not get discouraged if bats do not take up residence right away. It can take a few years before bats take up residence in the new home.  Read more.

If you have cats or dogs, make sure they do not disturb the bats on your property. If you find an injured bat, contact your local wildlife rehab center for help.

If you have bats in your attic, do not close them in. Let them leave before closing up their entrance. It is better to call a humane wildlife control agent and let them remove the bats humanely. Also, make sure to provide them with an alternative home before closing up your attic such as a bat house. Read more.

Get involved and learn more about bats. Contact your local department of natural resources, division of wildlife or wildlife rehab centers. Many could use your help and you can learn as you help protect the future of our bats.

Bats do not like disturbances. Human activity can cause them to leave or reject new homes. So make sure they have very little disturbances from humans, pets and wildlife. 

The most important tool we can have to protect our bats is to EDUCATE! Learn what you can about bats and pass your knowledge on to others.  Below are some valuable sites to learn more about bats. Donations are also needed to help continue research and protection.

Bat Conservation International
Bat World Sanctuary
Bat Conservation and Management
Bat Conservation Trust
Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation

The purchase of bat products also help

Bat Goods



DEFINITIONS

ENDANGERED: A native species or subspecies threatened with extirpation from the state. The danger may result from one or more causes, such as habitat loss, pollution, predation, interspecific competition, or disease.

THREATENED: A species or subspecies whose survival in Ohio is not in immediate jeopardy, but to which a threat exists. Continued or increased stress will result in its becoming endangered.

SPECIES OF CONCERN: A species or subspecies which might become threatened in Ohio under continued or increased stress. Also, a species or subspecies for which there is some concern but for which information is insufficient to permit an adequate status evaluation. This category may contain species designated as a furbearer or game species but whose statewide population is dependent on the quality and/or quantity of habitat and is not adversely impacted by regulated harvest.

SPECIAL INTEREST: A species that occurs periodically and is capable of breeding in Ohio. It is at the edge of a larger, contiguous range with viable population(s) within the core of its range. These species have no federal endangered or threatened status, are at low breeding densities in the state, and have not been recently released to enhance Ohio’s wildlife diversity. With the exception of efforts to conserve occupied areas, minimal management efforts will be directed for these species because it is unlikely to result in significant increases in their populations within the state.