Infant Deaths Linked to Decreasing Bat Populations and Pesticide Use in New Study

Mar. 15, 2025

Little brown bat, one of the most common bats in North America.Photo:Getty

Getty

A new study found that a disease decimating local bat populations for nearly two decades may be linked to an increased number of infant deaths.

According to the data obtained for the study, the increased use of chemical pesticides on North American farms has increased as the U.S. bat population has declined. At the same time, the infant mortality rate has increased.

A chart showing the relationship between pesticide use and the U.S. infant mortality rate.Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, epic.uchicago.edu

Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, epic.uchicago.edu

As WNS — which according to theNational Park Servicehas been decimating the U.S. bat population across several species since it was introduced in 2006 — continues to spread, this study argues that the increased use of chemical pesticides may be linked to an increase in the internal infant mortality rate (IIMR).

“When bats are no longer there to do their job in controlling insects, the costs to society are very large—but the cost of conserving bat populations is likely smaller,” Frank, an assistant professor at the Harris School of Public Policy, said in the press release. “More broadly, this study shows that wildlife adds value to society, and we need to better understand that value in order to inform policies to protect them.”

According to the study, U.S. farmers began using about 31% more chemicals after bats became insufficient to prevent insects from attacking crops. Pesticides have previously been linked tohealth issues in humansand theU.S. Environmental Protection Agencystates that they can cause issues in the nervous system, hormone or endocrine system, the skin and eyes are more.

Additionally, the study found that chemical pesticides aren’t as good as bats at keeping insects away from crops.

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“Bats have gained a bad reputation as being something to fear, especially after reports of a possible linkage with the origins [of]Covid-19,” Frank added in the press release. “But bats do add value to society in their role as natural pesticides, and this study shows that their decline can be harmful to humans.”

source: people.com