Bat House Forum

[Joe Spencer]

I only have/had two sites with nursery colonies at 100 or more little browns. Sadly the site at Greenfield state park N.H. has been decimated and I'm suspecting WNS. The colony starting at approximately 20 little browns 8 years ago increased to about 100 peaking 4 years ago. Two years ago it was approx. 50 and when I checked this weekend I only counted 8 bats. This all seems to coincide with WNS. 4 years ago at peak as I walked the roads throughout the campsites I saw many bats foraging going by me. Additionally, when we sat down at our site we had nary a mosquito bite us during camping. The last two years we needed spray or stayed inside trailers it was so bad especially this weekend. Had the colony relocated nearby they (the bats) would still have taken advantage of the large parks' pristine lake and abundance of prey. When you add it all up it seems to me that WNS has clearly impacted this area. Terry, you in PA seem to be relatively unscathed compared to my main primary sites in MA. and NH. I'll look forward to your numbers in the months to come if you have them.

[Terry Lobdell]

So far my numbers here in NWPA are as good or better than in years past........according to the wns map, it has been found near I-80 which is about 50 miles south of me........I have boxes at Oil Creek State Park which is only about 25 miles from I-80......those numbers appear very good there........

[Joe Spencer]

Glad to hear that. Only time will tell if it spreads to your area. Thanks for feedback.

[LarryH]

WNS has been found here in Ohio, but so far it does not seem have impacted the size of our colonies. The first case of WNS was confirmed in an abandoned mine in Lawrence County, Ohio, in March 2011. I haven't seen an update as to the spread of it. Boy, I hope the researchers can get this under control!