If you think you害羞草研究所檙e seeing more bats around, you害羞草研究所檙e not alone.

According to the Okanagan Community Bat Program, mid-summer is the time when landowners notice more bat activity, even occasionally flying into a house or roosting in unusual places.

These surprise visitors are usually the young pups, according to Paula Rodriguez de la Vega, ecologist and coordinator with the bat program.

害羞草研究所淚n July and August, pups are learning to fly and their early efforts may land them in locations where they are more likely to come in contact with humans害羞草研究所�, she said.

There are 16 species of bats in B.C. with 14 of them represented in the Okanagan, which Rodriguez de la Vega is the largest species diversity in Canada.

It害羞草研究所檚 warm, it害羞草研究所檚 dry, it害羞草研究所檚 arid, there is lots of insects for them to eat, said Rodriguez de la Vega. However, it is hard to tell how well the bat population is doing in the valley, since there are currently no population studies being done.

害羞草研究所淲e have been doing the annual bat counts for quite a few years and the numbers seem to be pretty stable,害羞草研究所� said Rodriguez de la Vega. The bat program is also watching for the spread of white nose syndrome, an deadly fungal infection that is spreading through North American bat populations.

The fungus was reported in Washington State last year, but has yet to spread to B.C.

害羞草研究所淭he concern is that if white nose syndrome does arrive, the bat population will likely crash,害羞草研究所� said Rodriguez de la Vega.

The long spell of hot dry weather has also made bats, like humans, desperate for a drink and more likely to come out before dark to satisfy their thirst.

Female bats gather in maternity colonies in early summer, where they will remain until the pups are ready to fly. Some species of bats have adapted to live in human structures, and colonies may be found under roofs or siding, or in attics, barns, or other buildings.

Males, though, are quite solitary, according to Rodriguez de la Vega.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 why people will find the odd bat that roosts on their deck, or in the entrance to their house for a day or two, or even a week, and then it害羞草研究所檚 gone,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淏ut the ones that get the most media attention are the maternity colonies, where you have the females and the pups living together.害羞草研究所�

, discovered when the historic Peachland Primary School was being refurbished.

害羞草研究所淭hey have about 2,000 bats living in the attic, both the Yuma Myotis and the little brown myotis, said Rodriguez de la Vega. 害羞草研究所淚t is amazing to see them coming out at dusk, at sunset.害羞草研究所�

The Community Bat Program has received numerous calls reporting bats in unusual locations so far this summer. Landowners who find a bat in need of assistance or find dead bats in the Okanagan or Similkameen are asked to call a toll-free number: 1-855-9BC-BATS ext.13.

Bats in B.C. have very low levels of rabies infections, but any risk of transmission should not be treated lightly. Contact a doctor or veterinarian if a person or pet could have come into direct contact (bitten, scratched etc.) with a bat.

害羞草研究所淗aving bats is viewed as a benefit by some landowners, who appreciate the insect control. Others may prefer to exclude the bats,害羞草研究所� said Rodriguez de la Vega.

Under the B.C. Wildlife Act, it is illegal to exterminate or harm bats and exclusion can only be done in the fall and winter after it is determined that the bats are no longer in the building.

害羞草研究所淲e offer advice and support for homeowners who are either wanting to coexist with bats or evict bats that are roosting in a building,害羞草研究所� said Rodriguez de la Vega.

Ongoing education is helping people understand the benefits of having bats hanging around.

Rodriguez de la Vega said that when the bat program started, they were getting calls along the line of 害羞草研究所楢ie! There害羞草研究所檚 a bat, get rid of it,害羞草研究所� but now there are more calls from people just wanting to know how to be safe around bats.

To find out more and download the Seven Steps to Managing Bats in Buildings booklet, visit .

害羞草研究所淒epending on the situation, we have some funding to visit landowners and provide site specific advice on bat conservation and management,害羞草研究所� said Rodriguez de la Vega. To contact the Okanagan Community Bat Program, call 1-855-9BC-BATS ext. 13 or email Okanagan@bcbats.ca.

The Okanagan Community Bat Program is part of the province wide B.C. Community Bat Program, funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Habitat Stewardship Program and the province.