Did you know there are 9 bat species in Vermont? And the latest on White-nose Syndrome … bat populations are beginning to recover! The killer disease almost caused the extinction of five species, but some individuals were resistant to the disease. Unfortunately bats have a very low birth rate, so it’s an uphill battle, but they’re hangin’ in there (pun intended!).
Alyssa Bennett from Vermont Fish & Wildlife came to advise the Krusch Preserve on the placement of two maternal bat boxes and a roosting tower. Only two Vermont species will use bat boxes – the Large Brown bat and the Small Brown bat. They are accustomed to living near humans, and can settle into barns or attics quite comfortably. In this case, erecting bat boxes in the vicinity can draw them away without the expense of exclusion. It is illegal to kill bats in Vermont with large fines for harming or harassing them. Providing another home will help their recovery, but where to put it?
Location, location, location. We learned that being a realtor for a bat would be quite a challenge! Alyssa called their temperature requirements the “Goldilocks formula” – not too hot, not too cold, just right. They also need protection from predators, access to water, and multitudes of insects for food. Alyssa found just the right location in the meadow at the top of the hill from the parking lot. Construction will begin Spring 2026!
https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/living-with-wildlife/got-bats#
The Peter A. Krusch Nature Preserve - 316 North Cambridge Road, Cambridge, VT 05444 