You may notice more insects around Vermont this year.  The bat population is on the decline due to a strange fungus that may be killing them off. Scientists have yet to determine the exact cause of this epidemic.
White Nose Syndrome is a fungus that grows on the bat. It grows on their muzzles, and other parts of their bodies causing strange behavior in the bats.

Wildlife Biologist Scott Darling says, “Clearly there is a leading candidate in the fungus, but there is no definitive cause of death in these bats. There still is some work to be done. We have looked at contaminates, pesticides and many of these environmental factors are just really hard to get your arms around. That is what is a little bit scary, if there are in fact broader environmental issues that are contributing to white nose syndrome.”

If you find a dead bat and need to dispose of it, make sure you wear gloves. Tie it up in a plastic bag before putting it in the trash. If possible photograph the bat and call Fish and Wildlife to report the incident.