This resolution expresses support for designating a week in October 2025 as "Bat Week" to raise awareness of the ecological importance of bats and ongoing conservation efforts against white-nose syndrome.
Becca Balint
Representative
VT
This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of October 24–31, 2025, as "Bat Week." It recognizes the vital ecological and economic roles bats play, such as pest control and pollination. Furthermore, the bill highlights the ongoing, collaborative efforts to combat the devastating impact of white-nose syndrome on bat populations.
Congress Backs 'Bat Week' to Spotlight $3.7 Billion Pest Control Service and Fight Deadly Fungus
This resolution is essentially Congress giving a high-five to bats and the people trying to save them. It officially expresses support for designating the week of October 24 through October 31, 2025, as "Bat Week," encouraging public events to raise awareness about these often-overlooked creatures.
The $3.7 Billion Question: Why Should We Care?
If you’re wondering why a legislative body is dedicating a week to bats, look at the numbers. The resolution highlights that bats are critical for our environment and, crucially, our economy. They save U.S. farmers over $3.7 billion annually just by handling pest control, acting as natural, free exterminators for agricultural pests. This isn’t a small benefit; it directly impacts the cost and quality of food production, meaning less reliance on chemical pesticides and potentially lower prices at the grocery store for everyone.
The Invisible Threat: White-Nose Syndrome
While celebrating their importance, the resolution also draws attention to the serious threat facing bat populations: White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). This fungal disease has spread to 40 States and killed millions of bats across 12 species, including the little brown bat and the northern long-eared bat. For those of us who benefit from their pest control services—which is pretty much everyone who eats—this is a major environmental and economic threat that needs attention.
Backing the Bat Squad
This resolution isn't just talk; it’s a nod to the serious work already underway. It commends the international partnership led by the Department of the Interior, which includes over 150 Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and universities. These groups are working to understand, slow the spread of, and develop treatments for WNS. By throwing its official support behind "Bat Week," Congress is signaling its commitment to continuing these conservation efforts, specifically habitat protection and the fight against this devastating disease. This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it doesn't create new laws or spend new money, but it provides crucial political recognition and support for the scientists and conservationists who are literally trying to save the bats that save us billions.