Spring Update
You might not know this, but bats are more closely related to humans than they are to rodents. And like humans, bats like a safe, suitable place in which to roost, especially in the spring when they are getting ready to have pups. As natural habitats disappear, finding adequate space to roost is becoming a challenge for Canada’s endangered bat species.
There are things we can all do to support declining bat populations by ensuring they can find and enjoy a safe haven, even in urban environments. As part of our efforts to help in the recovery of bat populations, Canadian Wildlife Federation has been conducting a bat box study to determine the absolute best design for a bat box. This is the last year of the study, but we will be sharing some preliminary results. You can also participate by putting up a bat box and registering it with us.
Many myths and misinformation exist about bats, a species that plays a vital role for humans by helping control insect populations. Read on and discover ways you can help Canada’s bats!
You Can Help Canada's Bats!
Build Your Own Bat House
Provide a roosting site for a female bat and her pup! The Canadian Wildlife Federation is here to guide you through every step.
Download free DIY instructions
Buy a Bat House
Buying a bat house, instead? Make sure you get one that will help bats.
Background
Although we may not always see them, bats are hard at work all around the world each night – eating thousands of mosquitos and other insects, which helps all of us by providing millions of dollars’ worth in pest control. Bats are in trouble. A disease known as White-nosed Syndrome has wiped out millions of bats in North America. Habitat loss, pesticide use and evictions from roost sites produce an added threat to already stressed populations.
Millions of bats have died in Canada over the past 10 years.
They may not recover without our help.
~James Pagé, CWF Species at Risk & Biodiversity Specialist
Building a Better Bat Box – CWF Research Project
Based on preliminary analyses using information from 1358 bat boxes across Canada we have started trying to answer the question of what characteristics of a bat box are related to occupancy by bats? Here is what we found so far:
1
Older boxes are more likely to become occupied. It takes bats some time to discover a new potential roost, especially if they have access to a different roost nearby that they are not being forced out of. So if your box is not occupied just yet, don’t get discouraged.
2
Boxes that are installed nearby a known colony that is getting excluded from a building are more likely to be discovered by bats looking for a new roost.
3
Installing multiple bat boxes at a site increases the chances of the boxes becoming occupied. Having a variety of boxes allows the bats to have a choice as some boxes will be warmer or cooler than others (depending on the weather and the microclimate inside the roost the bats need that day).
Here are some other recommendations to keep in mind:
4
Boxes installed on buildings seem to be more successful than those installed on trees. Boxes on trees are likely too shaded to reach the warmer temperatures that bats need. If installing on a building isn’t an option, opt for a pole rather than a tree.
5
Painting boxes a darker colour will help them reach warmer temperatures that the bats need but boxes that are black are more likely to overheat than brown boxes.
6
Larger boxes with more chambers (4-6) create wider variation of microclimate within the box that the bats can move around to depending whether they require more warmth or cooler temperatures from day to day.
As more participants become involved, we continue to collect and receive data so our results are constantly becoming more robust. Moving into 2024, as we wrap up the project and our database can be analyzed in its most complete form, we will better be able to determine and promote the best bat box designs for Canadian climate and inform the community involved in bat conservation.
Funding for this project was provided
by the Government of Ontario.
