The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is urging the public to avoid entering caves and mines during the fall and winter months to protect local bat populations. This recommendation coincides with Bat Week, observed from October 24 to 31, which aims to highlight the ecological importance of bats and promote their conservation across the United States and Canada.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton stated, “During Bat Week, DEC is highlighting the important role bats play in our environment and natural ecosystem and that we all should do what we can to help protect New York’s at-risk bat populations while they’re hibernating in caves and mines. Disturbing bats from their hibernation patterns can cause unnecessary harm to their systems and recovery. When outdoors this time of year, please do not venture into caves and move away quietly to ensure bats can remain in their natural hibernation patterns.”
Bats play a significant role in controlling insect populations, which can help reduce the need for pesticides in agriculture and limit the spread of mosquitoes and invasive insects throughout New York State. There are nine species of bats found in New York, all of which are insectivores.
Six of these species, known as cave bats, hibernate in caves and mines during the winter, while three tree bat species migrate to warmer regions. During autumn, bats build up fat reserves by consuming insects, a process essential for surviving hibernation or migration. Bats also gather in large groups during this period, known as the fall swarm, to mate before entering hibernation sites.
Caves and mines provide stable temperatures that protect bats during winter. However, since the emergence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in 2007—a fungal disease that has decimated more than 90 percent of bats at hibernation sites in New York—bat populations have become especially vulnerable to disturbances caused by human visitors.
Disturbing bats while they hibernate can force them to expend energy by raising their body temperature, depleting fat reserves needed to survive until spring when insects become available again. Increased disturbance lowers their chances of surviving the winter.
Scientists have recently observed signs of recovery among little brown bat populations, but other bat species continue to decline without similar signs of stabilization.
The DEC emphasizes that people should respect posted notices restricting access to caves and mines. Entering designated bat hibernation sites from October 1 through April 30 may result in prosecution.
Additional ways for residents to help protect bats include limiting tree removal to winter months, planting pollinator gardens to support insect prey, installing bat boxes for summer roosting, and contacting certified professionals for safe bat removal from homes.
For further information on local bat species, including those listed at state and federal levels, residents are encouraged to visit the DEC’s website.
