While there are over forty species of bats found in the United States, only eight species are commonly encountered in Pennsylvania. Bats can be found in both urban and suburban areas and often seen where various insects abound, such in parks, fields, farms areas, and around open water.
Bats are known predators of insects by nature and can be very beneficial in helping to keep the insect population in check due to their ability to consume large quantities on a daily basis.
Despite their value to humans in this capacity, bats can also become unwanted pests and the ability to cause serious illness.
WHAT ATTRACTS BATS?
Bats are like any other living creatures. They need food, water and shelter to survive. As such, bats searching for a place that has a stable temperature, provides them with protection from the elements and hides them from predators.
Bats can fit through surprisingly small openings in your home. The most common points of entry include windows and framing, vents, walls, chimneys, the siding and fascia boards. Any holes, gaps, cracks or other vulnerabilities in any of these items may look like an open invitation to a bat that is looking for a place to live.
The bats that are most frequently found in people's houses are females. They come inside hoping to mate and raise their young. Able to fit through an opening that is just three-quarters of an inch wide, it is not difficult for bats to come indoors.
WILL BATS LEAVE A HOUSE ON THEIR OWN?
Adult bats actually will leave the house on an almost nightly basis in search of food. If no babies are present at the time, keeping bats out could be as simple as blocking known access points. When the bats leave at night, the entrance is sealed and this prevents the bats from returning. The process can be more complicated when babies are present as they do not fly out at night. This means that any bats that remain indoors may have to be addressed by a pest management professional.
Similarly, if it is possible to make the attic or other area where the bats are roosting less accommodating, the bats may eventually leave on their own. For instance, if the attic started experiencing extreme temperatures, this might motivate the bats to leave their nest.
ARE BATS AGGRESSIVE?
Many people are inordinately frightened by bats. However, their fearsome reputation cannot really be explained by bat behavior. That is because bats prefer to avoid contact with people whenever possible. They usually will fly away rather than face a confrontation, and members of the species rarely are purposely aggressive. Still, it is never a good idea to try to handle a bat. Some species do have very sharp teeth that are able to puncture human skin. Because bats can carry diseases that may be transmitted to people, such wounds require immediate medical attention.
DO BATS BITE HUMANS WHILE SLEEPING?
This is a phobia for many people that may does carry a certain amount of merit. Most bats are quite small, similar in size to a mouse. Accordingly, they also have very small teeth. These teeth are so small that people sometimes are bitten without even realizing that it has occurred.
In many instances, it may have been while chasing a bat from their property that a person was bitten and simply overlooked the incident due to the lack pain experienced. Within a few months, they may begin to have experience an illness characterized by shortness of breath, chills and tingling sensations. Upon seeking medical assistance they learn that they have contracted rabies and that their earlier encounter with a bat was the source of the infection.
Whenever a bat is discovered indoors the best course of action is to seek appropriate medical assistance.
DO BATS CARRY DISEASES?
Bats are responsible for spreading numerous diseases to people. The most common of these is rabies, a life-threatening virus that is spread via the saliva of an infected animal. Another bacterial disease, known as salmonellosis, is spread to people via contact with an infected bat or accidental ingestion of the animal's fecal matter. Moreover, bats commonly are infested with a variety of external parasites like ticks, fleas and mites. A person who has had close contact with a bat should have a medical examination and recommended tests performed.
ARE BAT DROPPINGS TOXIC?
When people are exposed to bat droppings, then they also may be exposed to an illness called histoplasmosis. This infectious disease is spread when a person inhales spores of a certain fungus known as histoplasma capsulatum. It is not possible for one person to spread this disease to another person, but anyone who is exposed to bat guano is at risk.
Histoplasmosis is most frequently seen in people who practice certain professionals such as chimney sweeps, HVAC installers and construction workers. However, when a bat infestation is present, occupants of the building may be the next persons to receive a diagnosis of this disease.
WHAT IS BAT EXCLUSION?
Bat exclusion refers to the process of preventing bats from entering the home or business in the first place as well as preventing them from returning if an infestation already is underway. This involves covering up the holes or cracks that bats are using as access points. Netting or tubes frequently are used to accomplish this. These devices allow bats to crawl or drop out of the opening, but make it impossible for them to re-enter.
This can be a huge job, especially for a homeowner who is dealing with a fixer-upper that has many potential access points. Accordingly, it nearly always advisable to ask a professional to handle bat exclusion for you.
WILL BATS COME BACK AFTER EXCLUSION?
Bat will definitely attempt to return to their roosting place, but if the exclusion techniques are solid, they will be prevented from doing so. This is why it is essential that all possible access points be sealed up rather than just the ones that are observed being used by the bats. Additionally, any access point could be used by bats or other pests.
CAN I REMOVE BATS FROM MY HOUSE?
This can be a complicated, and even dangerous, proposition. It is dangerous to inhale air that is contaminated by bat waste products. Moreover, bats are capable of biting without the victim even feeling the wound. Being anywhere in close proximity to bats is potentially hazardous.
If only a single bat is seen to have to accidentally gained entry inside, then it is possible to remove the bat without professional assistance. This might be accomplished by opening all doors and windows to give the intruder ample opportunities for escape. Bats have extremely acute echolocation senses that allow them to identify any openings through which they can fly.
While people may sometimes attempt using a broom, fly swatter, badminton racket or other ordinary household item to "shoo" the bat toward an opening, such is rarely necessary. In fact, this action may only multiply the risk of coming in closer contact with the animal. It is best to stay quiet, still and out of the way of the bat so that it can more easily locate an open window.
However, in instances where a colony of roosting are discovered, then leaving the windows open will not be enough to remedy the problem. A bat colony that has been active in a building for some time will have left behind all sorts of waste products. Getting rid of the bats and cleaning up the mess puts the occupants at risk. In such cases it is best to contact a pest management professional who can safely and efficiently ensure that the bat colony is removed, entry points sealed, and waste products eliminated.
HOW DO YOU REMOVE BAT DROPPINGS?
If it is discovered that a family of bats has been occupying a home or business, then the problem often does not end by merely removing the bats from the structure. Even a stay of a couple of weeks is long enough to wreak havoc in terms of bat droppings, urine and stains. Most people who are dealing with an infestation also note an unpleasant smell.
While cleanup is one of the worst tasks associated with the aftermath of a bat infestation, it is an essential one. Bat waste products can easily infect all occupants through airborne diseases. As such, cleanup is a requirement that cannot be ignored.
In addition to removing all bat waste products, it may be necessary to remove and replace contaminated insulation or other building materials that were damaged during the infestation. Many pest management companies offer attic restoration services so that the formerly infested space can be returned to pristine condition.
In fact, this usually is the most sensible way to go. Unless the cleanup is thorough and all traces of contamination are removed, occupants may remain in danger of becoming ill. Having a professional handle bat removal and any necessary attic restoration is the best way to ensure health and safety.
Bat control can be complicated and potentially dangerous involving many procedures that are governed by state law. A licensed pest management professional should always be consulted to ensure safe and proper bat removal, decontamination, and prevention.
