Eight species of insectivorous bats can be found in Quebec. Unfortunately, the populations of Eastern North America are decimated because of the White Nose Syndrome, a fungal disease from an European fungus introduced in 2006, which is now proliferating in caves; houses are therefore becoming shelters (New Brunswick government).
Habitat fragmentation and the presence of wind turbines are also threatening bats.
Bats are part of the family of Chiroptera and are the only mammals truly able to fly. They use echolocation (production of ultrasound with their vocal chords) to orient themselves and chase prey (Chauves-souris aux abris).
The importance of protecting bats
Bats have an essential role in the ecological balance. 70% of bats worldwide are insectivorous; therefore they naturally control insect populations and limit damages to crops caused by pest. Did you know that one single individual eats about 600 insects per hour? That is the equivalent of its own body weight, eaten in one single night! (Chauves-souris aux abris).
How can we help?
Bats are harmless to humans, but we still must avoid touching them because of rabies (few individuals carry it, but it remains a risk).
Our tolerance towards bats is of great help to them. If you find, in the wintertime, a bat temporarily living in your attic, please do not scare it away. This would mean a death sentence for the animal, because bats do not survive in cold weather (Courrier Laval).
Nature-Action Québec offers other ways to help:
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Share the position of places being used as bat shelters at chauve-souris.ca;
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Never visit non commercial caves that may be used by bats as hibernation sites;
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Preserve old building that are not dangerous and big snags (old trees still standing) that may be used as bat shelters;
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Install bat shelters. Be mindful, though several conditions must be fulfilled for your shelter to be efficient. If you would like to install a nest box, read carefully the pages 23-27 of the Guide pratique pour la conservation des chauves-souris (French-written).
