The Town of Comox is raising awareness about Bat Week, celebrated each year to highlight the need for bat conservation. Bats are an important part of a healthy ecosystem and play a vital role in pollination and pest control.

Bat populations are globally in decline due to pesticide use, loss of habitat, climate change and introduction of invasive species. In North America the fungal disease, White Nose Syndrome, has been responsible for the deaths of more than 6 million bats since its discovery in 2006.

Comox was designated as a Bat Friendly Community in 2023 by the Community Bat Programs of BC.

The Town says you can help the local bat populations by planting native species and removing invasive plants; providing roosting habitat, either bat houses or leaving habitat trees; and 

avoiding the use of pesticides.

“Bats are remarkable creatures that play a vital role in maintaining the health of our natural world and economy,” says Paula Rodriguez de la Vega, BC Community Bat Program Provincial Coordinator.

In British Columbia, there are at least 15 species of bats. “Bats contribute to natural pest control by consuming mosquitoes, as well as pests of agriculture and forestry,” says de la Vega. “Bats also cycle nutrients between aquatic environments where they eat and upland environments where they sleep and poop.”

At this time of year, bats are fattening up for their winter hibernation, devouring many insects every night. “As they migrate to their winter habitat, they may roost above your doorway or in unusual open areas. Please allow the bat to stay; it will leave on its own in a few days” says de la Vega.

The group says White-nose Syndrome is expected to spread to BC, and is currently killing bats in Alberta and Washington. They are asking the public to report dead bats or winter bat activity to www.bcbats.ca, call 1-855-922-2287, or email info@bcbats.ca.