October 24-31 marks Bat Week, a time dedicated to celebrating the important role bats play in our ecosystems. Here at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), our commitment to these remarkable creatures extends beyond just one week; every week is Bat Week for us.
Bats are not only fascinating but also provide essential services, including pest control by consuming vast quantities of insects. However, these valuable animals face numerous threats, making it crucial for all bat enthusiasts to take action.
Creating Better Bat Habitat
The health of bat populations is closely tied to their habitats, primarily forests. Many of Iowa’s nine bat species rely on these wooded areas for shelter and food. To ensure their survival, we must focus on creating environments that support their needs.
An ideal forest for bats features:
- A mostly open mid-story, free from invasive plants like Japanese honeysuckle and European Buckthorn, which can clutter their habitats.
- Loose or chunky-barked trees such as Shagbark Hickories and White Oaks, providing essential roosting sites.
- Dead trees, or snags, with cavities that serve as excellent roost locations.
- Healthy insect populations, as bats require a steady food supply for foraging.
What We’re Doing
From 2022 to 2024, the Iowa DNR, with support from federal grants and state funds, has restored over 800 acres of both public and private forests to enhance bat habitats. This restoration involves prescribed fire, invasive species removal, and sustainable forest management practices like Timber Stand Improvement (TSI). Our Forest Stewardship Plans incorporate bat-friendly practices, ensuring that a percentage of dead trees remain standing and scheduling tree removals outside of the summer months when bats are most vulnerable.
What You Can Do
Iowans can play a vital role in bat conservation by:
- Planting bat-friendly trees, including Shagbark Hickory, Shellbark Hickory, White Oak, and American Elm.
- Leaving standing dead trees, where safe, to provide natural roosting sites.
- Controlling invasive shrubs in woodlands to maintain healthy ecosystems.
- Avoiding tree cutting from May to July, the key birthing period for bats.
- Minimizing disturbances in caves or mines during winter months.
- Installing bat boxes to offer alternative roosting sites.
- Planting insect-friendly plants and refraining from using insecticides.
Managing Bats in Human Spaces
Some bats, such as Big Brown Bats and Northern Long-eared Bats, have adapted to roosting in human structures. It’s important to approach any bat removal ethically and humanely. Resources are available to guide homeowners through this process, including hiring licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators. Once bats are excluded from a structure, it’s an ideal time to install a bat box to encourage them to roost safely.
Bats are invaluable to our environment, and their preservation is in our hands. This Bat Week, we encourage everyone to express their appreciation for these creatures by taking action to protect their habitats. For more resources and information about Bat Week activities, visit batweek.org.
https://www.iowadnr.gov/news-release/2025-10-28/week-leading-halloween-lets-celebrate-bats
