White-Nose Syndrome and the Impact on New Hampshire Bats

White-Nose Syndrome was first discovered in bats in a cave near Albany, New York, in February 2006. While the origin of its introduction remains unclear, the impacts are painfully evident. The disease creates mortality rates of 60 to 90 percent for infected bats.

Source: USGS

New Hampshire Bat Population Devastated

Author: Kirk Enstrom
Digital Managing Editor, WMUR News

CONCORD, N.H. — New surveys of the bat population in New Hampshire show that they have been devastated by White-Nose Syndrome.

Fish and Game Department officials reported that biologists found only 26 bats in hibernacula (places where bats spend the winter). In 2008, those same hibernacula held nearly 4,000 bats.

The news was even worse for little brown bats, the species hit hardest by the fungus. Researchers counted 3,135 little brown bats in 2008. In 2018, they found just one.

Little brown bats were once the most numerous bat species in the Northeast.

What Is White-Nose Syndrome?

White-Nose Syndrome is caused by a fungus that damages the skin, muscles, and blood vessels of bats. First discovered in New York in 2006, it has since killed millions of bats. There is currently no treatment for the fungus.

“I did not have a great deal of hope to see increasing numbers of hibernating bats during the 2018 surveys, but the continued lack of recovery remains disconcerting and of great concern,” said Dr. Jacques Veilleux, professor of biology and environmental science at Franklin Pierce University. “I do retain hope for the future return of our hibernating bats in New Hampshire, but should the recovery happen, it is likely to take many decades.”

Officials noted that bats generally have only one pup per year, meaning population recovery—if it occurs—could take decades.

Are Bats Gone From New Hampshire?

Even though only one little brown bat was found during winter surveys, that does not mean they are completely gone from the state. Some bats migrate to hibernacula in Vermont and New York and return to New Hampshire during the summer months.

There are also bat colonies in homes and barns throughout New Hampshire that are monitored by homeowners. Wildlife officials encourage residents to conduct their own dusk surveys by counting the number of bats leaving a colony. Forms and instructions can be found on the New Hampshire Fish and Game website.

What This Means for Homeowners

With bat populations under such pressure, proper and humane bat removal and exclusion services are more important than ever. Bat exclusion must be done carefully and legally to protect both homeowners and remaining bat populations.

If you suspect bats in your attic or outbuildings, or if you have questions about prevention and safe exclusion methods, explore our preventative wildlife control services or contact us for a free inspection.