Other Pests
Bats: Prevention, exclusion, and safety
Bats (Chiroptera) are unique, fascinating mammals. Unlike rodents or birds, bats belong to their own scientific grouping and are characterized by their ability to fly using their leathery wings.
These creatures are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night and use echolocation to hunt for insects and navigate their surroundings.
During the day, bats seek out dark, secluded spots such as caves, attics, or tree hollows to rest and avoid predators. While they play a vital role in the ecosystem, their presence in homes can sometimes cause concern. However, it’s important to remember that many bat species are protected by law. Attempts to remove them without a permit could result in fines or penalties. Understanding these mammals can help us appreciate their importance while addressing potential issues they may cause.
What do bats look like?
While there are many different types of bats, they do share a few common characteristics, including:
Wings: Their wings are made of a thin membrane of skin stretched over elongated finger bones, giving them remarkable flight agility.
Body: Covered in short fur, which varies in color depending on the species (from brown and black to red or even white). Most bats found in North America have wingspans of eight to 16 inches and body lengths of three to six inches.
Ears: Most bats have large, sensitive ears that detect sound waves, aiding their echolocation abilities.
Muzzle: Some species have a fox-like face, while others have a flatter, rounded snout.
Teeth: Sharp, small teeth are designed for catching insects or eating fruit.
Types of bats
There are over 1,400 species of bats worldwide, making them the second largest order of mammals after rodents. In the United States, there are about 47 types of bats. Their size, diets, and habitats vary. The most common bats that are found in homes include:
Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus): Known for their small size and ability to squeeze into tight spaces like attics. They’re often found near water, where they hunt insects like mosquitoes.
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus): One of the most widespread species in North America. They’ve adapted to urban environments and are known for their strong jaws, which allow them to feed on hard-shelled insects. They often roost in eaves, attics, and behind shutters, especially in winter when looking for hibernation spots.
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis): Frequently seen in the southern U.S., they sometimes seek shelter in attics or eaves. They can fly at high speeds and typically live in large colonies.
What do bats eat?
Insectivorous bats
A majority of bats, especially in North America, have an insectivorous diet. They eat moths, mosquitoes, beetles, and other flying insects.
Frugivorous bats
Some bats, like those found in tropical regions, feed on fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and figs. Bats with this diet play a vital role in pollinating plants and dispersing seeds.
Nectar-feeding bats
These bats feed on nectar from flowers, similar to hummingbirds. They are crucial for pollinating night-blooming plants like agave and certain cacti.
Carnivorous bats
A few species eat small animals, such as frogs, fish, or even other bats.
Vampire bats
Only three species of bats consume blood, usually from livestock, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. They primarily live in Central and South America.
Bats and disease
Bats should be professionally removed from homes because they can transmit pathogens to humans (either through bite or from disease-causing germs released into the air from droppings). Bats can bite, but typically only in self-defense or if they feel threatened. They generally avoid human contact. If you are bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
There are a few diseases bats can transmit, including:
Rabies: Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be fatal if not treated promptly. While not all bats carry rabies, it can be transmitted through bites, scratches, or contact with saliva.
Histoplasmosis: Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by inhaling spores from bat droppings (guano). Humans or pets are typically exposed by inhaling airborne spores in areas with large bat colonies, like attics or caves.
Hantavirus: Hantavirus is a viral disease transmitted through contact with bat urine, droppings, or saliva. It can also be transmitted by inhaling air particles containing bat feces or urine.
To help minimize bat-related risks:
Avoid handling bats.
Ensure proper sealing of entry points in homes to prevent bats from roosting indoors.
Use protective equipment when cleaning areas where bats have roosted (e.g., attics, caves).
Pets should also be kept away from areas with bat activity to prevent potential exposure.
Bats in homes
Bats may enter homes seeking shelter, food, or a place to roost, especially in attics, chimneys, or wall voids. They may also accidentally fly into homes where openings exist. Signs of a bat indoors can include:
Noises: Hearing fluttering, scratching, or squeaking noises.
Droppings: Bat droppings (guano) are small, dark, and shiny, often found in corners, under eaves, or near entry points.
Sights: Spotting a bat flying or clinging to walls.
Urine stains: Bats often leave streaks of urine along their roosting spots.
While having a bat inside isn't usually an immediate health risk, it can pose dangers such as the transmission of diseases. Bats can also cause property damage by contaminating surfaces with urine and feces, and their nesting can lead to structural damage.
Keeping bats out of houses
To help keep bats out of your home:
Seal entry points: Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, or holes around windows, doors, vents, and chimneys, and seal them to prevent bats from getting inside.
Install bat houses: Provide alternative shelter by installing bat houses away from your home to encourage them to roost elsewhere.
Close gaps in eaves: Bats often enter through small spaces in eaves and rooflines, so make sure these areas are properly sealed.
Bat exclusion is the process of facilitating the removal of bats from your home and ensuring they cannot re-enter. Terminix can help by conducting a thorough inspection to identify potential entry points and providing expert exclusion services, using humane methods to seal gaps and prevent future bat infestations. Schedule your inspection today!