White-Nose Syndrome is a disease that affects hibernating bats caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). This fungus disrupts the bat’s hibernation and causes them to come out of their hibernation more frequently and burn through their fat reserves faster. The disease has had a devastating impact on bats since its discovery in 2006.
White-Nose Syndrome has been found in Wisconsin, but it has not yet spread across the entire state. Scientists are unsure exactly how it first got to the United States. The fungus can survive for extended periods of time on items like clothing and shoes and the disease can easily be passed through bat-to-bat contact.
Why don’t Bats have White-Nose Syndrome during Summer?
The fungus Pd that causes the White-Nose Syndrome cannot grow in temperatures above 68 degrees. Therefore, in the summer, a bat’s body is most metabolically active and has an average body temperature of 100 degrees. However, during the colder months, bats will hibernate. Their metabolic rate slows down to preserve their fat storage which causes their body temperature to fall. It is only when the bats enter hibernation and their body temperature drops below 68° that the Pd fungus can develop.
What is Advanced Wildlife Control doing with the White-Nose Syndrome disease?
We here at Advanced Wildlife Control provides the DNR with whatever information we can about WNS and Pd. As of now, there is no cure for White-Nose Syndrome, but scientists are working hard to combat this disease. Bats are an essential part of our ecosystem and their loss would be a devastating blow to the environment.
Without bats, the disease-spreading mosquito population would be at an all-time high. We continue to work with local authorities to make sure that our bat populations can survive for years to come.
For more information about White-Nose Syndrome, and what you can do to help, please visit https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/
