Where do the bats go in the winter?

Bat Removal in Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Rhode Island

Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are native to mainly two species of bats, the large brown bat and the small brown. Both species colonize in homes throughout New England and are most noticeable during the summer months, when food sources such as mosquitoes and moths are plentiful and the temperatures are appropriate. Most of us understand that bats in New England are around when the sun is shining and the and we can see the grass.

But where do the bats go in the winter? How do they survive with no food?

Large brown bats are known to be seasonal bats meaning they will hibernate inside homes that provide stability in temperature through the winter months. We have found large brown bats under insulation, in wall voids, in living spaces and even in basements during the winter months. These bats need stability in temperature and they find such areas in the balloon framing of homes and other nooks that allow them to huddle up in colonies or crawl under insulation in search of the correct temperature.

Small brown bats are known to be migrating bats that tend to fly hundreds of miles to find stability in caves throughout The Catskills, Berkshire and other mountain ranges in The New England area. Here they huddle in groups for the winter surviving off fat reserves while they await for there flight back to the areas they reside during the summer months. Small browns populations to date have been effected greatly due to the disease called White-Nose Syndrome, it is believed that this disease wipes out approximately 80% of the migrating colony within the 1rst year.

To learn more about White-nose Syndrome visit this link.

Small browns have also been found in homes throughout Cape Cod during the winter months as it is my theory that these bats if presented with suitable conditions, similar to the cave habitat during the winter, then they will pass the long journey and maintain residence while they await spring. Every situation where small browns have been identified in the winter have been in homes that have cinder block foundations. It is believed that the interior portions of the brick walls are just what the bat needs to maintain it optimal hibernating temperature of 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit.

And no we don't send the bats south for the winter, although I wish they gave this job to us instead of a pest control company")! Thanks to my good friend Mike Saia for sharing this link about BATS AND BASEBALL! Let's go Sox!

Bat removal services in the tough New England winters

Precision Wildlife does and will perform bat removal services throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island during the winter months. For more information on our bat removal and prevention services visit our bat removal page.

Bat Facts

A bats main food source is scarce at best throughout the winter therefor it must rely on fat reserves stored from its last feedings during the fall months. A bats metabolism and heart rate also slow during the winter therefor lessening the need for unavailable food sources. A bats heart rate will drop to 10-20 bpm during hibernation and they can also stop breathing in some situations for up to 48 minutes at a time.

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Where do the bats go in the winter?