Back in June of 2003 I constructed a “Rocket” style Bat House at our cottage along the Juniata River. Almost immediately  Brown Bats took up residence and began to build a thriving maternity site. Over the next several years, (2003 through 2009) the colony grew from a handful of bats to over 200. Despite repeated intrusions by a pesky Pileated Woodpecker the colony continued to thrive. Correspondingly there was a noticeable decrease in the amount of mosquitoes, almost to the point that repellent was not necessary.

In 2010 we noticed our Brown Bat colony had declined. This year we have no Brown Bats in the house and no bats in the other parts of the property that they frequented. After a little internet research we have learned that the bats most likely suffer from White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). WNS was discovered in PA in 2008 ( https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org ). Two days ago, Robrandi and I made an inquiry with the PA Game Commission. What follows is their response.

Pa Game Commission Response

Yes, we confirmed bats just to the north of McVeytown several years ago.  We followed these bats to maternity sites all along the Juniata and last year saw a partial decline, and then following this winter are now documenting further declines at all sites this year.  Many of them do have a few survivors, while a few have lost all their bats.

The fungus is a cold-loving fungus that attacks the bats while they hibernate, and the fungus and spores cannot grow or survive in the heat of the summer, and so the box is not infected.  Also, the fungus is not a threat to humans, as we maintain a warm body temperature that the fungus cannot grow or survive either.

It would be best to leave the original box standing as there may be some survivors of your colony wandering around and searching for other survivors.  You would be more likely to get any wandering survivors to return or to attract any other bats wandering with the original box that has worked well in the past and smell like other bats.

To provide assistance, please consider participating in a Bat Count for your area:
Appalachian Bat Count

We do not know if our bats will return. One thing is for sure, the mosquitoes are back with a vengeance! Anyone who celebrated with us over the 4th can attest to that.

We truly have f#$ked up the planet…!!