Break out the DEET this summer, as there is likely to be a rise in mosquito populations. Brown bat populations in the North East are plummeting because of a fungus referred to as, White Nose Syndrome.
White-nose syndrome was discovered in 2006 in caves in upstate New York and has spread rapidly throughout all populations of bats which hibernate over winter in caves. It is estimated that 1 million bats may have already died from the fungus, which causes bats to wake up early from hibernation when there is no food. They then sicken and die. The fungus does not affect people and white-nose syndrome can likely only survive in cold climates, scientists studying the bats said.
They may not be people's favourite animal, but bats serve their role in the environment. Eating moths, beetles, gnats, mosquitoes, mayflies and other insects. Their preferred meals are insects with an aquatic life stage, like mosquitoes. And thus, the tend to roost near sources of water.
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