Yes, Bat Week is a real thing. Here’s how to protect them in Michigan

Move over Shark Week—it’s time to celebrate Michigan’s most fascinating and misunderstood mammal: the bat.

This week is Bat Week. The annual celebration, held on the last week of October, is dedicated to raising awareness about all the good that bats do for our state’s environment. Here’s what you should know about our nocturnal neighbors:

Michigan is home to nine species of bats that all feed on a variety of critters like moths, flies, beetles, and other insects. They are definitely not thirsty bloodsuckers that you may have seen in the movies. In fact, the typical Michigan bat can eat between 600 to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects per hour. When they aren’t pulling all-nighters eating bugs, bats are hard at work pollinating flowers and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees. 

The most common type of bat in Michigan is the brown bat. They are light brown to dark brown in color and have an average wingspan of 8.5 to 11.5 inches. In the summer, brown bats will settle in warm, humid spaces where they can raise their young pups. This leads them to build  homes in tall trees, the underside of bridges, and—in some cases—barns and attics.

Bats are currently facing a serious threat. In 2014, bats infected with white-nose syndrome (WNS)—a deadly disease caused by a fungus—were reported for the first time in Michigan. Last year, the northern long-eared bat joined the endangered species list due to WNS effects on the species. WNS attacks the bare skin of bats while they’re hibernating and sometimes looks like a white fuzz on the bat’s face, hence the name “white-nose”. Infected bats wake up frequently during hibernation, which can cause dehydration and depletion of their fat reserves, causing them to not survive the winter. 

Here’s what you can do to help protect Michigan’s flying, furry friends:

Instead of burning leaves or throwing them away, consider leaving fall leaves where they land or putting them in your garden beds. This will create space for insects to gather to create a bug buffet for neighborhood bats. 

Consider planting a bat-friendly garden with native Michigan plants such as night primrose, honeysuckle, goldenrod, and fleabane. These plants draw in night-flying bugs that bats love like moths. On the other hand, you should also consider removing invasive species that threaten native plant populations. 

Install a bat house in a location not frequented by people, such as an open tree or pole at least 100 feet from your home. Try to install the bat house at least 12 feet high so the bats can freely enter and exit their home. 

Help reduce the spread of WNS by not entering spaces that bats frequently visit, like caves and mines. If you have entered a bat’s domain, follow the proper decontamination guidelines for shoes, clothes, and gear. 

Bats with WNS often exhibit unusual behavior, such as flying during the day or gathering outside of caves in cold weather. If you see a bat that you suspect has WNS, report it on the Department of Natural Resources’ Eyes in the Field app.