Imagine a world without bats. It might not seem like a big deal -after all, they’re small, nocturnal, and often misunderstood. But bats are unsung heroes of our ecosystems. They eat tons of insects, saving farmers billions of dollars in crop damage and reducing the need for pesticides. More than 300 species of food-producing plants depend on bats for pollination. Some even pollinate plants like agave, which are used to make tequila. In short, bats are vital, but they’re in trouble.
The Threat: White-Nose Syndrome
Since 2006, a deadly disease called White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) has been devastating bat populations across North America, and it is spreading. It’s now found in 44 states and nine provinces. Caused by a cold-loving fungus, WNS infects bats while they hibernate. It irritates their skin and wakes them up too often during the winter, burning through their fat reserves. With no food available in the cold months, many bats starve before spring. Populations of some species, like the little brown bat and the tri-colored bat, have declined by more than 90%.
The Idea: Fat Bat
Scientists noticed something interesting: bats with more fat had a better chance of surviving WNS. That sparked a creative idea—what if we could help bats bulk up before hibernation?
Enter the “Fat Bat” project, a collaboration between EPRI and Bat Conservation International (BCI) and funded by the electric power industry. Their solution? Set up “bug buffets” for bats using ultraviolet (UV) light patches that attract insects. These prey patches are placed near bat hibernation sites in the fall and spring, giving bats easy access to food when they need it most.
The Science Behind the Lights
In the largest study ever done to address WNS, researchers tested the UV light patches at 26 sites across 10 U.S. states from 2021 to 2023. Scientists recorded bat activity, foraging activity, insect diversity, and insect abundance at all sites. By analyzing the bat calls, researchers could determine which species were present at a site and which species were feeding on insects. The results were promising. Six of 13 bat species, including those hit hardest by WNS, showed significantly increased foraging activity at the light patches. Little brown bats and tri-colored bats took full advantage of the extra food in both fall and spring.
The fall feeding helps bats build fat reserves for winter, and spring feeding helps them recover from hibernation and prepare for reproduction. Since bats only have one pup per year, every successful birth counts.
A Win-Win for Bats and Business
In addition to saving bat populations, the Fat Bat project is a smart way for industries, like energy companies, to coexist with wildlife.
As more bat species become protected due to WNS, energy companies may face hurdles when building or maintaining infrastructure like wind power projects or power lines. Energy companies are seeking additional mitigation solutions, and Fat Bat approaches could be a future alternative. By supporting bat conservation, these companies can help protect biodiversity while also providing consumers with the power they need to run their homes and businesses.
What’s Next?
The success of the Fat Bat project has sparked interest across the country. The findings are being shared with scientists, regulators, and conservationists, who are contemplating using the UV light patches in other situations, such as artificial bat roosts or in new hibernation shelters to further support bat populations. Artificial prey patches can be an effective tool when used in combination with other conservation actions to support WNS-affected populations.
Why It Matters
Bats may be small, but their impact is huge. They’re natural pest controllers, pollinators, and essential parts of our ecosystems. The Fat Bat project shows what’s possible when science, creativity, and collaboration come together. It’s a reminder that even the most unexpected ideas, like providing a bug buffet, can make a big difference.
If you’re curious to see this work in action, watch the documentary The Invisible Mammal (https://www.theinvisiblemammal.com). It follows the Fat Bat research team into the field and showcases their efforts to save these incredible creatures.
Remember, bats are not just spooky Halloween symbols, they’re vital allies in our environment. Projects like Fat Bat give them a fighting chance.
Link to podcast: 63. A Bat Week Special: Fat Bats and the Electric Sector’s Role in Conservation | EPRI Current
Link to Fat Bat merchandise: https://shop.batcon.org/collections/epri-fat-bat-collection