Bats
Bat Identification
Worldwide, the 1,400+ species of bats play a critical role in the environment. They help with pollination and, even more importantly, chow down on harmful pests like mosquitoes. In fact, a single bat can eat hundreds to thousands of insects every single night.
- Family: Did you know that bats’ wings have a bone structure that is much like a human hand? That unique quality is reflected in its family name, Chiroptera, which means “hand wing” in Greek.
- Size: In the Northeastern U.S., the two most common bat species are the little brown bat and big brown bat. Little brown bats have a wingspan of up to 11 inches and typically weigh a half-ounce or less. Big brown bats, on the other hand, weigh up to three-quarters of an ounce with a wingspan that typically measures between 13 and 16 inches.
- Color: Most bats have brown fur, in shades ranging from golden to dark brown. They have a hairless membrane located between their wings and legs that is typically black or dark brown.
- Legs: Bats technically have four limbs they can use to crawl. However, the two front limbs are also used for wings and are considered more like arms than legs.
Types of Bats
Little Brown Bat
Big Brown Bat
Signs of Bats
Bats are nocturnal and usually most active between sunset and sunrise. That’s why you might not ever see them flying around indoors. However, when you know what to look for, you will be able to notice unusual activity and get help with bat removal as soon as possible.
Seeing Bats Flying Outside
Outdoors, having bats can be beneficial, particularly when it comes to controlling mosquito populations and other harmful pests. If you notice bats flying around your property outside, it’s not a definitive sign that you have an indoor bat problem. However, it’s a helpful signal to alert you to the potential problem and the need to look for indoor signs, which include seeing droppings and hearing strange noises.
Bat Droppings
Bat droppings, also commonly called guano, look a lot like droppings from rodents. However, bat droppings typically pile up beneath their roost and where bats exit their roosts. Additionally, guano typically looks segmented and speckled. These droppings can pose a health hazard because they may transmit the fungal spores that cause Histoplasmosis, a dangerous respiratory illness.
White Streaks and Greasy Stains
You might notice whitish-looking stains on your windows from bat urine. Bats also often leave greasy, dirty stains and smears around cracks, crevices, and other entry points.
Weird Noises
As bats exit and enter around sunset and sunrise, you may hear scrambling, scrabbling, and crawling noises during this time. You might also hear flapping, scratching, squeaking, and chirping as they communicate with each other and either settle in or prepare to leave the roost.
Unpleasant Odors
Bat excrement — their droppings and urine — can create a smelly situation. If you notice a musty or pungent odor of ammonia, you may have bats roosting on your property.
How Do I Get Rid of Bats?
No one wants bats in their interior spaces. However, these critters are critical to the environment and have experienced severely dwindling populations in the past few decades. That’s why bats are largely protected by federal and state guidelines, making removal such a delicate process. If you see bats in your living space, it’s usually a sure sign that you have bats living in your house. Getting an inspection is the best and safest decision.
That’s not to say you can’t do anything to safeguard your property. However, you will need to consider trying one of the following approaches:
- Open a window or door to the outside: You can try to encourage a single bat that got trapped inside on its own to exit of its own accord. Remove children or pets from the room. Close any interior doors and then open either a window or door. Give the bat some time to fly out on its own.
- Incorporate deterrents and repellents: Make your home a less attractive place for bats to roost. Implementing bright lights or ultrasonic devices near roosting sites may encourage them to avoid the area or exit the building altogether.
- Call for professional bat removal: Because of the federal and state regulations protecting bats, it’s essential to bring professionals in to make sure you’re complying with all guidelines. As a bonus, it will keep you and your family safer.
Bat Facts
Lifespan
Bats can live up to 20 years, on average. Researchers found a few species that lived up to 30 years, with the oldest living bat (located in Siberia) clocking in at 41 years old.
Food Sources
Bats notoriously eat insects, including mosquitoes. A single little brown bat can consume as many as 600 mosquitoes in one hour, with most bats eating up to half their bodyweight in insects nightly.
Reproduction
Although some bat species can have up to four pups in each litter, most females have one pup at a time. Females breast feed their pups, with groups of mothers forming a nursing colony and a close-knit group that raises its young together.
Risk of Disease
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that bats are among the animals most commonly reported to have rabies. This potentially deadly virus can spread through bites or scratches and is also transmitted through saliva and brain material. That’s why seeking medical help after a bat encounter is so critical. Additionally, bat droppings can contain a fungus that causes a severe respiratory illness known as histoplasmosis. Bats can also bring other pests indoors, including bat bugs (similar to bed bugs), fleas, and ticks.
Where are bats found?
You can find bats in nearly every environment worldwide, except in extreme locations like deserts and the Arctic. The majority of species live in semitropical and tropical locations, although about 40 species are commonly found in the U.S. Among them, only two are commonly found in the Northeast.
In terms of roosting, bats often prefer dark, secluded spots that offer protection from weather and predators. Indoors, they often seek attics, wall cavities, spaces behind shutters, chimneys, and wall cavities.
When are bats active?
Bats are most active from shortly before sunset to sunrise. In Upstate New York and Western Massachusetts, they tend to be active beginning in mid-April when they emerge from hibernation. In June, many bats begin having pups and care for them until they are ready to fly, typically by August.
More Information About Bats
How Do I Get Rid of Bats in My Attic
The Safest Way to Remove Bats from Your Home
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get rid of a bat in the house?
We strongly discourage trying to remove a bat or bat colony on your own. Not only could you inadvertently violate state and federal regulations protecting bats, but you could put yourself at risk. Without training, you risk killing them, pushing them further into living areas, or coming into contact with live bats or their droppings.
How much does bat removal cost?
Bat removal costs can vary. USX Pest always begins with a free inspection to assess the situation and the unique needs of the property. Bat removal costs will include fees to evict the bats, disinfect affected areas, repair damage, and seal entry points to prevent bats from returning.
Do bats bite?
Although it’s rare, bats can bite humans. Because they have very sharp, small teeth, it’s possible to get bitten and not even notice it.
How do I get rid of bats in my attic?
The best and safest way to remove bats from the attic is to call for professional bat removal. Experts have the training, education, and equipment to get the job done in accordance with all regulations designed to protect these flying mammals. We use a combination of detailed exclusion work (eaves, roof intersections, ridge vents, chimney flashing, freeze-boards, etc.) and one-way doors to safely evict the bats
Can you get rabies from bat feces?
No. Rabies is transmitted through a bite, lick, or scratch. You can, however, contract histoplasmosis from bat feces. This respiratory illness can cause pneumonia-like symptoms. Bat feces can also contain the fungal spores that cause cryptococcosis, another type of fungal lung infection.