This week marks International Bat Week, and the NYS DEC is using this time to raise bat awareness throughout the state. These creatures play a vital role in our environment, but they face endangerment and are often misunderstood by the public.

During the fall and winter, many local bat species hibernate, and disturbance from humans can disrupt their cycle. DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton urged residents to avoid entering caves and mines this season, so our bats are left in peace.

Bats provide important ecological benefits. All of the nine native bat species in New York eat insects, helping control pests and invasive insects while reducing the need for pesticides.

Six of these species hibernate, meaning that they must build up enough energy stores to last the winter. They eat nearly their full body weight in insects every night in preparation. They choose caves to hibernate for their warmth and protection, and they sleep in large numbers. Human visits can rouse bats from their slumber, depleting their reserves and making them more vulnerable to diseases like white nose syndrome, which has killed more than 90% of cave-dwelling, hibernating bats - such as the little brown bat, northern long-eared bat, and tri-colored bat - in New York State.

Though the once-common little brown bat has shown some evidence of population recovery, bat populations are far from stabilized. To help them survive, the DEC recommends planting pollinator gardens to attract insects, installing bat boxes for roosting, keeping cats indoors, limiting tree removal to the wintertime, and calling a bat-certified Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator to remove bats from your home.

The DEC posts notices at caves and mines restricting access. Anyone entering a listed bat hibernation site from October 1 through April 30, the typical hibernation period for bats, may be subject to prosecution.

"Protecting New York's bats is essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and conserving our state's wildlife for future generations," said Lefton. "During Bat Week, DEC is reminding New Yorkers that disturbing hibernating bats can threaten their survival, particularly as they face ongoing challenges to recovery. By avoiding caves and mines and allowing bats to hibernate undisturbed, we can all play a role in protecting these important species."

For more information on bats, visit dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants.