Bat House Forum

[heynow]

i have lost 64 pups in 2 nights. I never had this happen. the adults are fine and have been very active in and out of the house at dark istead of just leaving and comeing back in the am. The pups are very small and most are dead. This is very sad can I do anything?

[applestar]

That's heartbreaking.... I'm very new to all this and have no ideas to offer, but to wish you good luck.

[Joe Spencer]

Very sorry to hear this. Unfortunately once pups fall to the ground and remain there for some time, there is nothing you can do to help. Usually they have external/internal injuries from the fall. Finding out what caused it and attempting to prevent it if at all possible me be the only recourse. Do you know how much time had elapsed since birth?

How long has this house been occupied by a nursery colony?

Did you not build the BCI plans nursery house? If so did yours have plastic screening on partitions?

Although this is likely a different situation, here is what happened to pups at the popular Gainsville Fl. large bat house:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20050521/LOCAL/50520055?Title=Breaking-the-bats-fall

[heynow]

I have contacted Florida game and wildlife. To my suprize they seem concerned. If I have more dead pups tomorow they will come get them and send them to a state lab. I buried the other ones and they said they need to be fresh. They had dead animal containers sent overnight so they could send them. I am glad to see the state to be concerned with such matters. I hope not to lose more pups but would like to know what is going on. They said they need a few to check their livers. Also call as soon as I can and they will come out. They said they had simular reports in other counties.

[Joe Spencer]

That is really good news during this tragedy. Looking forward to your future info.

[Terry Lobdell]

Just found this link on a post by Amanda Lollar in the yahoo batline forum. This appears to be a really quick and simple solution to falling pups!
http://www.batworld.org/bathouse-pupcatcher.html

[Joe Spencer]

I had forgotten you were in a warmer climate (Florida) and didn't consider overheating. THe link Terry provided is great as is the pup catcher. Can you tell us what the average daily outside temperature was during this period and was it mostly sunny? How many hours of daily sun does your bat house receive and what color is it. If it is ultimately determined that heat was a the major factor, consider putting a lighter shaded (light grey or white) bat house next to the current one to give them options. Additionally, consider a lighter roof as well to give them further options. Do you know the species occupying the house (Brazilian free-tailed bat? other?).

Joe