Bats are the only flying mammals that are active mostly at night and occur on all continents except Antarctica. Bats are ecologically diverse, with a range of species that specialize in feeding on fruit, nectar, blood, fish, small mammals, and insects. However, of the more than 1,100 known species of bats on Earth, the majority specialize in feeding on insects. In the United States for example, of the 45 different species of bats, 42 are insectivorous. These small creatures of the night are diverse in shape and size, with most relying on echolocation to detect insect prey and find their way through darkness. Many of these bats form colonies that feed on seasonally available insects from spring to autumn.

Most insectivorous bats use seasonal feeding strategy to help build fat reserves during the summer and autumn, prior to their hibernation during winter - a time, generally, when insects are not available throughout most of the United States. Some of these bat species do not hibernate but instead migrate seasonally. It is believed that the timing of migration and routes that they take, such as those for the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), might coincide with availability of their preferred insect prey.

Recently, many insectivorous bat species have suffered drastic declines in numbers due to new environmental stressors, both natural and human caused. One of these stressors is the emerging wildlife disease known as white-nose syndrome (WNS). This disease is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and has been devastating colonies of hibernating bats in the eastern United States for several years. At present, there is no known cure for WNS, which continues to spread north-, south-, and westward. It is likely that the effects of declining insectivorous bat populations will influence insect populations, including possible increases, in some geographic areas of insects that are economic pests.

Like WNS, the development of alternative energy in the form of industrial wind energy facilities is also having a harmful effect on bats through collisions with moving turbine blades. These fatal encounters often coincide with the autumn migration of bats. Why certain bats are susceptible to turbines remains unknown, yet feeding on insects may play a role in bat susceptibility. For example, the hoary bat is killed more often than any other species of bat at wind turbines in North America, and it is believed that certain prey types (e.g., noctuid moths) consumed by these bats may be locally and seasonally abundant around wind energy facilities.

Despite the high species and ecological diversity of insectivorous bats in the United States, little information exists on their diet. At FORT, biologists are investigating dietary habits of insectivorous bats, which will help provide insight into questions related to climate change, energy development, wildlife diseases, and conservation.

Bats occupy almost every habitat in the world. There are over 1,300 species of bats worldwide.

Bats are one of the most misunderstood animals. People imagine them to be blood-sucking, rabies-ridden, hair-tangling, night-stalking, loathsome creatures. The truth is, very few bats (less than 1 percent) carry rabies. Even fewer bats are bold enough to come near people, and most feed on pollen or insects. Many are listed as endangered.

Bats reportedly eat as many as 600 insects in an hour. By leaving snags and habitat or putting up a bat house, you provide a safe place for bats to live and you may notice fewer mosquitoes and insects around your home or in your garden.

Bats devour tons of insects nightly, pollinate flowers, and spread seeds that grow new plants and trees. They are our most important natural predators of night-flying insects, consuming mosquitoes, moths, beetles, crickets, leafhoppers and chinch bugs, among others. Many of these insects are serious crop or forest pests, while others spread disease to humans or livestock. Every year, bats save us billions of dollars in pest control by simply eating insects.

Bat houses are easy to build. The narrow slats in the bat house give bats a safe dark place to crawl in and sleep during the day. It often takes 2 years for bats to occupy a new bat house because bats don’t relocate often. Bats are loyal to a roost site, so unless it’s destroyed or overcrowded bats won’t move to another location. Even if only about 15 percent of bat houses are occupied at any time, by building one and putting it up in the right place, you're doing your part to help and encourage bats in rural, suburban, and urban areas.

By eating insects, bats save U.S. agriculture billions of dollars per year in pest control. Some studies have estimated that service to be worth over 3.7 billion dollars per year, and possibly as much as 53 billion dollars per year.

This value does not, however, take into account the volume of insects eaten by bats in forest ecosystems and the degree to which that benefits industries like lumber. It also doesn’t take into account the critical importance of bats as plant and crop pollinators. So the actual monetary worth of bats is far greater than 3.7 billion dollars per year.

Bats are the most significant predators of night-flying insects. There are at least 40 different kinds of bats in the U.S. that eat nothing but insects. A single little brown bat, which has a body no bigger than an adult human’s thumb, can eat 4 to 8 grams (the weight of about a grape or two) of insects each night. Although this may not sound like much, it adds up—the loss of the one million bats in the Northeast has probably resulted in between 660 and 1320 metric tons of insects no longer being eaten each year by bats.

Bats locate each insect by echolocation, then they trap it with their wing or tail membranes and reach down to take the insect into their mouth. This action, as well as the chase, results in the erratic flight most people are familiar with when they observe bats feeding in the late evening or around lights at night.

Other species of bats eat many different things, including fruit, nectar, and pollen. Bats are important pollinators as they fly from plant to plant in search of food. In the southwestern deserts of North America, bats are the key pollinators of saguaro and organ pipe cactus. Tequila is made from the agave plant, which is pollinated by bats.

No, bats are not blind. Bats have small eyes with very sensitive vision, which helps them see in conditions we might consider pitch black. They don’t have the sharp and colorful vision humans have, but they don’t need that. Think of bat vision as similar to a dark-adapted Mr. Magoo (a cartoon character with very poor vision).

Bats can be found in almost all parts of the world and in most regions of the United States.

In general, bats seek out a variety of daytime retreats such as caves, rock crevices, old buildings, bridges, mines, and trees. Different species require different roost sites. Some species, such as the Mexican free-tailed and gray bats live in large colonies in caves. A few solitary species, such as the red bat, roost in trees.

In winter, bats either hibernate or migrate to warmer areas. Those that hibernate build up a fat reserve to sustain them through the winter. If they’re disturbed, their fat reserve could become exhausted and they could die prior to spring.

Yes, but not in most of the United States. Of the three species of vampire bats in North America, only a single specimen has been recorded for the United States in extreme southwest Texas. Vampire bats do not suck blood--they make a small incision with their sharp front teeth and lap up the blood with their tongue. Vampire bats in Mexico and South America feed on the blood of livestock such as cattle and horses, as well as deer, wild pigs, and even seals.

All healthy bats try to avoid humans by taking flight and are not purposely aggressive. Most bats are about the size of a mouse and use their small teeth and weak jaws to grind up insects. You should avoid handling bats because several species, such as the hoary and big brown bats, have large teeth that can puncture skin if they are handled improperly.

Less than one percent of the bat population contracts rabies, which is a much lower rate of incidence than other mammals. Still, you should not handle or disturb bats, especially those that are active and appear sick during daylight hours. All bat bites should be washed immediately with soap and water, and a physician should be consulted.

Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus that lives in soil, particularly where there’s a large amount of bird or bat poop. People can get histoplasmosis by breathing in fungal spores, and infection can be mild or life-threatening. It can be misdiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, like pneumonia caused by bacteria. This often results in delayed treatment. Here are some important things to know about histoplasmosis and Histoplasma, the fungus that causes this illness.

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that can affect anyone. It usually affects the lungs and causes pneumonia but also can affect other parts of the body. Learning about histoplasmosis can help you stay healthy and recognize symptoms early if you do get the infection.

Common Symptoms Can Lead to Delayed Diagnosis

Symptoms of histoplasmosis include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• Chills
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Body aches

These symptoms usually appear 3 to 17 days after breathing in the fungus. Because other bacterial or viral diseases have similar symptoms, patients can experience delays in getting correctly diagnosed and treated.

Anyone can get infected, but most people who breathe in the fungus that causes histoplasmosis have no symptoms or only mild ones. Some people never know they’ve had histoplasmosis until a CT scan, X-ray, or other imaging test shows spots on their lungs. These spots can look identical to lung cancer, leading to unnecessary costs and emotional stress associated with finding the right diagnosis.

It is important to know that some people can develop severe histoplasmosis and get very sick. This includes:

• People who have existing health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness (people with weakened immune systems), and
• People who are exposed to a large amount of the fungus.

A severe infection must be treated with prescription antifungal medicine.

If you have symptoms and suspect that you might have histoplasmosis, ask your doctor to test you for it.

How It Spreads: From Soil to Lungs

In the United States, the fungus that causes histoplasmosis mainly lives in soil in central and eastern states, especially in areas around the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. It’s also present in other U.S. states, likely in small pockets that offer the right growing conditions (such as a large amount of bird or bat poop). The fungus also lives in parts of Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. People can get histoplasmosis by breathing in the fungus from the air in these areas. Histoplasmosis does not spread from person to person.

Be Safe Around Bird or Bat Poop

It can be difficult to avoid breathing in the fungus that causes histoplasmosis in areas where it’s common in the environment. In those areas, people who have weakened immune systems should consider avoiding activities associated with getting histoplasmosis, such as:

• Disturbing material where there is a large amount of bird or bat poop (for example, digging in soil or chopping wood)
• Cleaning, remodeling, or tearing down old buildings
• Exploring caves
• Cleaning chicken coops

Large amounts of bird or bat poop should be cleaned up by a professional company that specializes in handling hazardous waste. A small amount of bird or bat poop on a hard surface is much less likely to spread histoplasmosis than a larger amount around soil or plants.

Before starting a job or activity where there’s a possibility of being exposed to the fungus that causes histoplasmosis, review Histoplasmosis: Protecting Workers at Risk.

It’s important to know that people can also get histoplasmosis without being exposed to bird or bat poop.

Awareness Is Key

In areas where the fungus that causes histoplasmosis is common, it’s difficult to completely avoid exposure. That’s why knowing about histoplasmosis is one of the most important ways to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Greater awareness about histoplasmosis is needed in the United States and around the world. In Latin America and the Caribbean, histoplasmosis is one of the most common infections among people living with HIV. There, about 1 in 3 people with HIV who get histoplasmosis die from this condition. Learn more about CDC’s work to prevent deaths due to histoplasmosis by improving diagnosis and increasing access to lifesaving antifungal medications.

Bats play key roles in ecosystems around the globe. They also can carry diseases, including rabies. The best way to protect yourself and bats is to stay away from them and get medical care if you come in contact with them.

Key Facts

• Bats are one of the most commonly reported rabid animal in the United States.
• Bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in people in the United States.
• If you find a bat in your home, try to capture it for testing. By testing the bat for rabies, you can find out if you need to be vaccinated.
• Bat bites can be very small. If you’ve been in contact with a bat – even if you aren’t sure you’ve been bitten or scratched – talk to a healthcare or public health professional about your risk and whether or not you need to be vaccinated.

Rabies and Bats

Bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in people in the United States. Rabid bats have been found in all 49 continental states. Only Hawaii is rabies-free. The good news is that most bats don’t have rabies. But you can’t tell if a bat has rabies just by looking at it. Rabies can only be confirmed in a laboratory.

Any bat that is active during the day or is found in a place where bats are not usually seen – like in your home or on your lawn – might be rabid. A bat that is unable to fly and is easily approached could be sick.

What should I do if I encounter a bat?

If you come into contact with a bat, you might need medical care. What you should do around bats depends on where you encounter them and what type of contact you have. Infants, young children, and people with reduced mental function due to medication, alcohol, illness, or age are at higher risk since they may not know or be able to tell others if they were bitten or scratched.

• If you know you’ve been bitten or scratched by a bat — or if infectious material (such as saliva or brain material) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound — wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing.
• If you are outdoors:
  • Seeing bats outside is common and normal, especially at dusk and through the night. Avoid intentional contact with bats outside. Use screens, tents, or mosquito netting when sleeping outside.
  • If you are outside and have direct contact with a bat, you should talk to a healthcare or public health professional to decide if you need to be vaccinated to prevent rabies. If you’re not sure if contact occurred but find a bat on or near you (for example, if you wake up with a bat near or on you), then you may need vaccination.
• If you are in your home: If you find a bat in your house, talk to a healthcare or public health professional and have the bat captured for possible rabies testing. Call animal control, wildlife conservation, or a public health agency for assistance. If professional assistance is not available, safely capture the bat in case testing is needed. Testing the bat may help you and your doctor decide if you need rabies vaccination.

Capture a bat for testing

1. Find a container like a box or a can large enough for the bat to fit in, and a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the container opening. Punch small air holes in the cardboard.
2. Put on leather work gloves. When the bat lands, approach it slowly and place the container over it. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.
3. Tape the cardboard to the container to secure the bat inside. Contact your local health department to have the bat tested for rabies.

Keep bats out of your house

You can contact an animal-control or wildlife conservation agency for assistance with “bat-proofing” your home, or you can take steps to bat-proof on your own.

• Examine your home for holes that might allow bats entry. Caulk any openings larger than a dime. Use window screens, chimney caps, and draft-guards beneath doors to attics. Fill electrical and plumbing holes with stainless steel wool, caulk, or other material rated for pest exclusion. Ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly.
• If you already have bats in your home, observe where they exit at dusk. Make note of how many there are. Prevent them from coming back by loosely hanging clear plastic sheeting or bird netting over the areas where they exit. This lets any remaining bats crawl out and leave but prevents them from re-entering. When all the bats are gone, the openings can be permanently sealed.
  • Bat sightings may increase early in the exclusion process, as bats try to find other entrances and exits into your home. Make sure all residents and visitors are aware of the bat-proofing efforts and report any contact between bats and people or pets to your local health department.
• Most bats leave in the fall or winter to migrate, so these are the best times to bat-proof your home. In most of the U.S., avoid bat-proofing from May through August, because you could trap young bats inside and cause them to die or to make their way into your living areas.
• Always be mindful of local rules or laws about removing bats . Some bats are endangered and may require special care if they are found in your home.

Bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in people in the United States. People and domestic animals should avoid contact with bats. Bats should never be kept as pets.

Rabies can spread to people from bats after minor, seemingly unimportant, or unrecognized bites or scratches. Rabies postexposure prophylaxis (or PEP, which includes vaccination) is recommended for any person with a bite or scratch from a bat, unless the bat is available for testing and tests negative for rabies.

Bat bites can be very small so a person might not always know when they have been bitten by a bat. PEP should also be considered when direct contact between a person and a bat might have occurred, and a bite or scratch cannot be confidently ruled out. For example, if you wake up with a bat in your room, you may have been exposed to rabies and should see your doctor or call your health department, even if you don’t feel a bite. Healthcare providers will conduct a risk assessment to determine if you need rabies vaccination. If there is no clear explanation for how the bat got into your home, you may also need to consult a bat remediation specialist to determine if bats are living in your home.

If you or someone in your home has potentially been exposed to a bat, the bat should be safely captured (if possible) and you should immediately contact your local health department. When appropriate, the health department will arrange for testing of the bat. If the bat can be captured and tests negative for rabies, then you will not need PEP.

Bats are a very important part of our ecosystem. They are the primary predator of a vast number of pests that cost farmers and foresters billions of dollars annually. Bats also pollinate flowers and disperse seeds that make the rain forest grows and the deserts bloom. Wherever they are, they are critical elements to the health of our natural resources.

But bats, too, have a bad reputation among some people. They are often associated with vampires and are feared carriers of rabies. However, few people will ever be exposed to a rabies-suspect animal or need medical intervention due to potential exposure while camping. In fact, most bats don’t have rabies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the outdoors, bats use trees, cliffs, caves, buildings, water, bridges and mineshafts in a variety of habitats. Seeing bats outdoors is common. If you notice bats where you are recreating, you should

• avoid any physical contact;
• use screens or mosquito netting to prevent them from getting into your outdoor living space; and
• do not touch a bat that cannot fly, see during the day, or flying in the winter; that bat might be sick. Stay away but also notify a forest ranger.

When it comes to bats, the biggest threat could be you.

In many national forests and grasslands, caves are off limits because millions of bats are dying from white-nose syndrome. Scientists believe the disease has caused the most dramatic decline of North American wildlife in more than 100 years.

The disease is spread from bat-to-bat, from soil to bat and from humans through transmission of spores on clothing and equipment.

Here is how you can help bats:

• Stay out of caves and mines where bats are hibernating and honor cave closings.
• Following the National WNS Decontamination Protocol to clean and disinfect clothes, footwear, and equipment used in caves or mines.
• Report bats showing signs of white-nose syndrome, and bats that are dead, dying, or appear diseased, to a forest ranger.
• Spread the word about the need to save our bats.