What we will cover

• Biology of bats • Where bat lives and how they interface with Understanding and Managing Bats humans and Preventing Rabies Exposures • Why recognition and management is Janet Hurley, MPA important Extension Program Specialist –School IPM • What steps you need to have in place Texas AgriLife Extension Service • How to carry out those steps

20% of all mammals are bats 1 in 5

Over 1,100 kinds of bats are found worldwide in a variety of habitats, all except the most extreme polar and desert regions and some remote islands

Bat Facts Many myths, superstitions, and fears exist about bats such as: ƒOnly mammals capable of true powered flight ALL BATS ARE BLIND ƒMost give birth to only 1 young per year BATS WILL GET ENTANGLED IN ƒ Couple of species do birth twins MY HAIR

ƒIncredibly long‐lived– some up to ALL BATS ARE VAMPIRES 41 years! BATS ARE FLYING MICE ƒ32 Species in Texas –47 in US ALL BATS HAVE RABIES ƒCarefully groom themselves and are among the cleanest of animals These perceptions are usually based on ignorance. ƒOldest known bat fossil from Eocene: at least 50 million years ago Bats Are Beneficial Insectivorous Bats

•Majority of all bats (70%) •Most capture prey in flight •Relatively small‐sized Hoary bat •Important for keeping agriculture (statewide) and forest pests in check reducing need for pesticide‐use

Flower‐feeding bats

•2 species occur in Texas •Eat mainly nectar and pollen •Most relatively small in size BRIDGES •Usually have long snout, and long tongue •Important pollinators Where bats live Mexican long‐nosed bat (Big Bend area)

MAN‐MADE CAVES STRUCTURES

Big Brown Bats (Bexar sighting, but in E.& W.Tx.,& Panhandle)

Myotis spp. Bat Habitats and Migration Types of Bat Habitats

• Bats seek: • “Solitary” bat species – food, – Prefer Natural – water, locations – protection from the • Trees elements and – Entering Buildings predators • Opportunity – Man‐made locations • Bark made roost structures to trees Silver Haired Bat

Types of Bat Habitats Once Inside where do they Roost? ¾Attic spaces • “Colonial” (live in groups) ¾ bat species Wall spaces – Natural locations ¾Chimneys • Caves ¾Ceiling plenums – Man‐made locations ¾Roof overhangs • Bridges, old barns, ¾Behind gutters abandoned structures ¾ – Entering buildings Stadiums • Take’s advantage of ¾Any opening into easy openings (entry structure points) ¾ Big Brown Bats Gym, dock doors

Types of Roosts Seasonal Survival Strategies

Pallid Bats (W.of Bexar to W.Tx, Panhandle)

Mex. Free‐tailed Bat w/young (Statewide) Day Roosts Maternity Roosts Pipistrelle spp. Silver-haired bat Night Roosts Bachelor Roosts Migration Torpor How bats interface with humans

• Roost or land in close proximity to homes and other structures • Can enter a building

several stories high Known to roost close to humans • Bats (at times) prefer a certain side of a building, TYPES OF BATS FOUND IN TEXAS i.e. the “sunny side”, southwest side, etc.

April 2010

Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus Recognition Size: wingspan 13‐15 inches; total length 4‐5 inches, weight 13 –25 grams (small hand) Colonial Species Color: Light rust to dark chocolate brown – unable to see any tail Important biological information: • Distribution • Females will form maternity colonies, while makes will live in bachelor roosts during summer. • Most prevalent species in US – found in and around buildings. Will go into torpor during winter months when temps go low. • Known to occupy bat houses and live with other bat species.

Brazilian free‐tailed bat Sub‐species of Tadarida Brasiliensis Tadarida brasiliensis Mexican Free‐Tail Bats Recognition Size: wingspan 11‐14 inches; total T. b. cynocephala T. b. mexicana length 3 ½ ‐ 4 inches, weight 8 ‐14 • the migratory species grams (thumb size) • a non‐migratory species Color: Gray or dark brown to rusty which inhabits the eastern brown, large round ears, wrinkles on piney woods of the state mouth, with visible tail • Distribution Important biological information: • Known to have some of the largest • Biologists from Texas A&M University colonies in he work. believe that there is new species is • Human contact occurs when bats are from inbreeding of the T. b. found dwelling in bridges, buildings and cynocephala and T. b. mexicana abandoned structures. • Known to carry the rabies virus more • Known to roost in bat houses and will frequently than other species share roost with others. More beneficial Live in a variety of places because of what they eat!

Over 100 million Mexican Free‐tailed bats in Hill Country –each million bats can eat 10 tons of insects nightly. Hill Country research shows Mexican free‐tailed bats having an annual value of $741,000 to farmers in an 8‐ county region in South‐ Central Texas.

Evening Bat Cave Myotis Nycticeius humeralis Myotis velifer

Recognition Size: Wingspan: 10–11 inches; Total Recognition length: 3–4 inches; weight: 5–14 Size: Wingspan: 11–12.5 inches; Total grams length: 3–4 inches; weight: 12–15 Color: Brown to black; ears and grams wings are black, has a Color: medium‐sized bat with brown or characteristic blunt tragus black fur on its back and paler fur on Important biological information: its underside. Ears are short and • Females will form maternity pointed and its eyes are small. • Distribution colonies and are willing to share Important biological information: their space with other bat • Distribution • Forms nursery colonies, usually species. numbering in the thousands in • Human Encounters: Found close caves, mines, barns, buildings, and to water and will roost in trees, sometimes under bridges. as well as buildings. Can be seen • Will roost with other bat species, around street lights can be recognized by their erratic • Will occupy bat houses flight. • Will occasionally occupy bat houses

Little Brown Bat myotis lucifugus

Recognition Size: Wingspan: 8‐10 inches; Total length: 2.5–4 inches; weight: 5–14 grams Color: fur is uniformly dark brown and glossy on the back and upper parts with slightly paler, grayish fur underneath. Ears are short and pointed and its eyes are small. Solitary Species Important biological information: • This bat spends the daytime in crevices • Distribution in canyon walls, caves, attics, or other places of concealment and emerges shortly before dark. Its flight is erratic and relatively slow • They frequently rest in night roosts to digest their meals before flying out to forage again. • Close to water feeds on water insects Seminole Bat Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus seminolus Lasiurus cinereus Recognition Recognition Size: Wingspan: 11‐13 inches; Total length: 3‐5 Size: Wingspan: 11‐13 inches; Total length: 1.8 –2.7 inches; weight: 6–14 grams inches; weight: 8–15 grams Color: medium‐sized bat with a reddish‐orange coat. Color: medium‐sized bat with deep mahogany fur Adult males are brightly colored, in contrast to which is frosted at the tips, giving the bat a distinct the more grayish females and juveniles. reddish‐maroon hue, unlike the reddish orange of • Distribution Contrasting white markings on wrists and eastern red bats shoulders easily distinguish this species Important biological information: Important biological information: • Usually roost alone and in Spanish moss. • Red bats forage in a variety of habitats, mostly • The bats emerge from their daytime roosts early in the over land, along the edges of pastures, crop • Distribution evening and forage among or above the crowns of the lands, or other openings dotted with large trees, over watercourses, and around clearings deciduous trees. They prefer forested • Known not to hibernate in the true sense, but rather are environments. active throughout the winter when weather conditions • During winter, hibernating red bats have been permit. Observations indicate that on days when the documented in a variety of locations, ranging ambient temperature is below 20°C the bats do not leave their daytime roosts, but whenever temperatures in the from tree hollows and exposed tree trunks to evening exceed 20°C, they emerge and take wing. areas on the ground covered in leaf litter, where humans can encounter them.

Southern Yellow Bat State threatened Hoary Bat Lasiurus ega Lasiurus cinereus Recognition Recognition Size: Wingspan: 13‐17 inches; Total length: 5‐6 inches; Size: Wingspan: 11‐13 inches; Total length: 3‐5 weight: 20‐26 grams inches; weight: 6–14 grams Color: large and distinctively marked bat with long Color: medium‐sized bat with dull, sooty yellow narrow wings. Its fur is long and soft, dark brown to fur. Like other yellow bats, its tail membrane is black at the base, followed by a broad band of cream entirely furred above and it lacks distinctive color, then a slightly narrower band of mahogany white markings on its shoulders and wrists. brown, tipped with white. The outer three colors are Tail membrane is entirely furred above and it • Distribution visible from the surface, giving the fur a hoary lacks distinctive white markings on its appearance. • Distribution shoulders and wrists Important biological information: • During summer, they prefer tree roosts that are edge Important biological information: habitats close to feeding grounds. • Are known to roost beneath hanging dead • Hoary bats reach their peak activity at about five palm fronds. This is a non‐migratory species, hours after sunset, although they may occasionally be remaining active year round expect for brief seen flying on warm winter afternoons periods of torpor during severe winter • Human encounters usually occur when the mother weather. drops the young during transport or storms • Human Encounters usually occur during tree trimming incidences

Eastern pipistrelle Pipistrellus subflavus Recognition Size: Wingspan: 8‐10 inches; Total length: 3‐3.5 inches; weight: 4‐8 grams Color: easily identified by its tri‐colored fur. About the size of a matchbook. They can often be identified when hibernating by its distinctive orange forearm. Important biological information: • One of the first bats to enter hibernation, typically in Rabies Risk September or October, and one of the last to emerge in the spring. • Distribution Allergen and asthma triggers – associated with guano • Performs short annual migrations between winter Community perceptions hibernation and summer nursery sites. Travel is not known to exceed 50 miles and averages 31 miles WHY MANAGING BATS IS IMPORTANT • Spend six to nine months per year hibernating in caves or mines, mostly at ambient temperatures of 46.4‐55.4° F (8‐13° C). • Loyal to their hibernation sites and may return to the same site every winter. Bats as rabies vectors Bats as “High‐Risk” Rabies Carriers

• Bats are considered “high‐risk” rabies carriers • Texas is home to Billions of bats. • Rabies transmission to humans can occur • During 2008, Texas had 548 without education laboratory‐confirmed rabies • Rabid bat behavior is indicated with positive bats and 3559 negative bats. (Approximately screeching and trembling 7% of bats tested positive in • Bat bite appearance is not noticeable to 2008) human eye • Of those, 271 (49%) were in Central Texas’ Health Service • Most rabies exposure cases have been from Region 7. bats over the last 15 years

Bat Management It’s the Law Bat Bite Appearance

• Bat bites versus other When should a bat be captured bat and animals’ bites submitted for testing • Bat bites may or may not leave an obvious If found in a room with: mark. 1.Unattended child • People are more likely 2.Sleeping person to seek medical 3.Person who is intoxicated attention for bites from 4.Person who is mentally impaired larger animals. 5.Or some other indication that the person has physically touched or held the bat. April 2010

Bat Rabies Variants Bat Bite Appearance • A variety of bat species • People often know pose rabies risks in Texas when they’ve been during 2009: bitten by a bat, but – Big Brown bat most types of bats have – Brazilian free‐tail bat very small teeth which – Evening bat may leave marks that disappear quickly. – Hoary bat – Red /Seminole bat • Did you get an injury when your hand went – Southern yellow bat through this wall? Red Bat Bats as “High‐Risk” Rabies Carriers Bats as “High‐Risk” Rabies Carriers

• You can’t tell if a bat • Bats do not pose a rabies risk has rabies just by when people and pets avoid looking at it. them. To be exposed to • Rabies can be rabies, the infected bat must confirmed only by bite and inoculate the infectious saliva into the having the animal person or animal’s skin. tested in a laboratory. • Rabies vaccinations after • So be safe. Never exposure can prevent the handle a bat. disease from developing within the bite victim.

April 2010 April 2010

Allergen and Asthma Triggers Rabid Bat Behavior Associated with Guano build up • Reasons for a bat to be “grounded” – injured bat • Histoplasma – rabid bat capsulatum – fungal • Clinical signs of rabies in bats spores (inhalation) – daytime flight • Airborne mold spores – dirt in the mouth/teeth – abnormal vocalization can trigger asthma – isolation of a colonial bat from its attacks colony – cloudy eyes • Ectoparasites – dehydration – Bat mites can infest a – mucus in nostrils/respiratory distress known bat roost and – spastic paralysis subsequently bite humans

Removal of Guano build up Bat Collection

• For large colonies • If a bat needs to be guano should be captured for rabies removed testing or removal and • Workers wear PPE relocation, avoid direct • Keep dust particles contact with it. This will down prevent the bat from biting you. • Use as fertilizer –mix • with carbon source to Prevent the bat from compost escaping. Bat under a secured • Be willing to pay trash can, traffic cone, etc. Bat Collection Bat Collection

• Should be done by trained person • Place container over • Remove students/staff the bat and scoot something under the • Use small box place over bat container to prevent • Use stiff cardboard/mailing bat from getting away envelop under box when container is turned upright. • Scope bat into box, then either release or transport for testing Insert flat piece of cardboard Important step if necessary to underneath the container box transport to DSHS to capture the bat.

Personal Protective Equipment for Bat Handling • Gloves – Leather – Bee handling – Not latex • Towels • Containers Use what is at “hand” – – For shipping purposes don’t throw balls, or box needs to be lined other items at bats to with white cooler so get them to fly. bat can be transported chilled.

What are your options when bats choose your buildings to roost in? Signs of bat habitation:

¾Live bats • Under DSHS statutes, you ¾Dead bats must : ¾Entry/exit portals – The two control measures ¾Soiling at portals that apply to bat colonies are: ¾Vocalization • Disinfestation (bats are ¾Odor removed/ excluded) ¾Guano • Disinfection (bats’ waste is removed) Bat Exclusion Principles Bat Exclusion Principles • Considerations in the timing of • No pesticides or chemicals exclusion efforts: in the United States are – Seasons approved to kill or deter • Reproduction bats. – Maternity season begins • Bats should be evicted, not in late April –May and destroyed. continues until late August • You do not need a license to • Migration evict a bat or bat colony. – Will travel up to 1000 However it does require miles (free‐tails) patience and understanding • Torpor of bat biology. – Building utilization (in use or not)

Bat Exclusion Principles Bat Exclusion Principles

• Considerations in the timing of • Verify the absence of exclusion efforts: bats before removing – Duration of device the exclusion deployment equipment and sealing • Generally not left in place long enough all holes. • Leave for week to 10 days – Relocation consequences • Undesirable new location • Bats disoriented outside the building Bats exit under exclusion netting April 2010

Bat Exclusion Principles Bat management plan

• Do not seal exits until all • To prevent health problems caused by bats bats have flown out or bats and to respond quickly and appropriately to will die within the building bat sightings, school officials and integrated and/ or seek alternative pest management (IPM) coordinators should exits, sometimes into a building’s interior. implement a bat‐management plan that • Choose appropriate addresses prevention, training, and response sealants, because some Foam sealant can harm bats. – Bats left in building can become an indoor air quality nuisance. The best way to prevent people and bats Prevention of human/bat contact from coming into contact is exclusion • Screen all attic and soffit vents with ¼‐ to 1/6‐inch (dime size or larger) hardware cloth or screen. • Seal all holes in siding; gaps around gutters, pipes, fascia boards, and molding; and openings at other • The plan should focus on preventing direct contact exterior penetration points. Use netting (1/6‐inch with bats. mesh), caulk, foam, or concrete patch. – Direct contact with a bat means touching it, handling it, or being bitten by it. Just seeing a bat is not direct • Keep window screens in good repair. contact. • Keep gymnasium doors closed during the early • Everyone, especially children, should be taught never evening to keep bats from flying into the building to to touch a bat or any other wild animal without catch insects. wearing heavy gloves. – A bat on the ground or any bat that can be approached • When buildings are being constructed, crews should by people is more likely than other bats to be sick. watch for potential areas where bats can enter and seal them before a colony is established.

Removal of a bat colony Inspect the buildings for entry points • Bats that commonly roost in Texas building can be evicted using special exclusion • Identify areas in and around buildings where bats can enter. – This step is extremely important in identifying where to place bat‐eviction techniques that work for all bat species. tubes and nets. – The best time for eviction efforts is between – Will need to watch building at dawn and dusk for a few days to determine late August and mid‐May, depending on your entrance and exit ways location in the state. • During cooler months, this step may need to be repeated several • If bats are seen in or near the building: nights in a row to establish exit/entry points, as bats do not leave the – roost at night if temperatures are too cold. identify the bat species, – Tadarida brasiliensis Subspecies: T. b. Mexicana (migratory) – inspect the building for entry points, – T. b. cynocephala (non‐migratory) (Mexican free tail who likes Texas) – erect alternate bat housing*, • When inspecting the exterior of the building: – seal potential entry points, – look along roof lines and behind gutter placement for rub marks. – make and install bat‐eviction devices, – Bats will leave some evidence, similar to rodents, but it’s more difficult to see. – clean up the area once the bats have been – Look at ground level for guano –in most cases bat‐entry points will have evicted. some guano build up in the colony is large enough. *Optional depending on type of bat, roost and possible bat house in location to all people

Look For Evidence of Staining Entry into building? After exclusion efforts How big this job was!

Exclusion techniques

Exclusion techniques Exclusion is hard work Remember bats need gravity to feed, drink to survive.

Beware of how you angel Bat exclusion work requires working on exclusion device high ladders, heights and basically hanging off a building. Does your staff Black good have the correct equipment for the job. Red bad Signs & Fixtures are GREAT for harboring Netting to prevent roosting bats

Alternative Control Methods Installing alternative roosts

• Repelling –not always works • Should I bat proof – Light the thought that illuminating the roosting the other buildings could help drive them out on my campus – Air movement the thought that high speed fans can also deter them before installing bat • Outside roosts exclusion devices on – Building bat houses my “problem” – Tree maintenance building? Maternity season in Texas April to Sept

Installing alternative roosts An Ounce of Prevention Training • School districts should designate and train a responder for each • Tack down campus or facility. flashing – Trained responder is an IPM coordinator, licensed pest‐control applicator, or person who has been trained by an IPM coordinator or animal‐control • Seal or caulk specialist to safely remove bats. around wall • Trained responders should: gutters – Protect themselves and others against rabies transmission. • Cover/ seal – Be able to identify the bat species on school property. old chimneys – Safely evict all bats found in school buildings. or – Respond appropriately if a person is bitten by a bat. incinerators – Report bat incidents to the proper authorities. – Ensure that roosting areas are cleaned properly after the bats have left.

Living with Bats Resources –Info and Rehabilitation • Identify areas of known bat activity • Work with other agencies in your area • Bat Conservation International (BCI) – Health Dept., Animal Control, Parks & Wildlife – www.batcon.org • Develop detailed plans for how you will react • Bat World Sanctuary when a bat visits your area – www.batworld.org – Chain of Command – What to do when • Fly By Night, Inc – Training personnel • www.flybynightinc.org/ – When to remove/evict bats • Texas Parks and Wildlife • Exclusion, exclusion, exclusion – www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Resources ‐ Regulatory • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Thank You Rabies and Bats – www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/index.html • Texas Department of State Health Services Regional Zoonosis Control – www.dshs.tx.us/idcu/health/zoonosis • Texas Department of Agriculture – http://texasagriculutre.gov/spcs • Texas AgriLife Extension Service – http://agrilifeweb.tamu.edu/batsinschools/