- In Tips
Identifying if You have Bats in Your Attic.
If I asked you to tell me where you’d most likely find bats, you would probably tell me ‘flying out of haunted houses’ or ‘in scary movies.’ You would be surprised to know that they might be closer than you think. Like your attic!
Bats can often be found in attics and can enter in holes as small as ½ inch. Bats are nocturnal meaning they sleep during the day and fly/eat by night. Bat infestation in homes can be a nuisance and more importantly a health hazard.
Here’s some indications that your home may have bats:
Odors and stains caused by bat urine and guano. Bat guano tends to cluster under where bats roost (see attached photo of a home that I inspected) and resemble rodent droppings. It is not safe to touch the droppings with unprotected hands.
- Milky white urine stains on windows or siding
- Rodent like droppings under eaves and overhangs
- Noises such as squeaking or scratching in the attic (although this could be other animals as well)
- Stains on ceilings and walls of the interior of the home below the attic
Most people are concerned about bats because of their potential for carrying and transmitting rabies. But a lesser known danger is that of histoplasmosis, a disease you can get from exposure to bat guano. Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease caught by inhaling spores of the histoplasmosis capsulatum fungus. Could my family and I be at risk if we don’t enter the attic? Yes, if your home’s HVAC system is in the attic and not sealed properly then dust and the histoplasmosis fungus could enter the ventilation system.
What should I do to prevent bats from entering my home:
- Inspect your home for areas that bats can enter. Remember bats can enter in holes as small as ½ inch.
- Ensure gable vents have screens that are not cut or damaged
- Regularly inspect your attic
If you suspect or find bats nesting in your home, it may be best to call a professional exterminator or wildlife removal expert. Removing bats, especially in the summer months can be tricky, as you have to deal with baby bats that are unable to fly. Professional removal experts are equipped and experienced in handling such challenges.
Bats are important to the ecosystem and provide a great service in removing insects.However, they can transmit diseases to humans and we should be on the lookout for infestations in our homes. So if you think you have bats in your attic don’t reach for a wooden stake. Call your wildlife removal expert or professional exterminator.
Bat guano clusters under where bats roost.
