Bat Encounters: How to Detect and Eliminate Infestations

Bats have been a subject of folklore since antiquity and have always been painted in a negative vein.  Although they are an important part of our eco-system, their negative image has been compounded by the fact that they are highly susceptible, like rats, to diseases like rabies. 

​People always imagine bats to reside in dark caves of mystery and never as household pests.  But, as cities destroy their natural habitats in the name of expansion, bats have slowly become exactly that - common pests as prevalent as raccoons.  As with any other pest, you have to deal promptly with bat infestation in your house.  Read on to find out more about the bat removal process.

Identification

While it is easy to mistake any bird or a squirrel for a bat, there are numerous ways in which you can identify an infestation of bats without encountering them in person. 

• Noises - Crawling, squeaking and scratching sounds coming from your attic (or your belfry, for that matter) especially during dusk or dawn, can indicate the presence of bats.  And, to a practiced ear, a bat's wing flapping sounds different from birds.  In fact, in general, birds don't fly at night in residential areas, so if you hear a bunch of flapping wings at 11PM there is a very good chance you have just seen a bat. 
  
  
• Droppings - Bat droppings are called “guano”. While they are similar to rodent droppings, there are minute differences that are visible to a practiced eye.  They usually collect in piles just below the exit of the roosts of bats.
  
  
• Stains - White streaks on window panes and walls are an indication of bat urine. Inspecting entry holes in the ceilings or walls for the collection of grease and dirt from the bat’s coat also gives a clear sign of the presence of bats. Strong odors rising out of the guano and urine usually point to an infestation.

Bat Removal

After the bat infestation is confirmed, removal needs to happen. Infestations in different portions of your house require different approaches and treatments which only trained experts will be able to investigate and perform.  Removing bat colonies from your attic (or your belfry) is a complicated process.

​Since it is not advisable to kill the bats due to the associated health risk, using exclusion devices is the most popular and the safest option. Since bats play a vital role in the ecosystem, bat exclusion is considered to be the most effective removal method. The removal process takes time as often it could become a waiting game to ensure that no babies or stragglers are left behind.

Infestation Prevention

Due to obvious health reasons and the cost involved in the bat removal process, it is best for you to prevent bat infestations in your homes before they can occur.  Many options like sonic alarms, lights, and other deterrents have been tried over the years to prevent infestation.  But all these have failed… leaving you with the sole option of denying the bat entry into your house.  This can be accomplished by identifying all the entry points into your house and sealing them permanently.

If you suspect that there is bat infestation in your home, bat removal is the only option left for you.  Depending on your appetite for risk, you can always try to handle the removal on your own.  Without experience, the risks of exposing yourself to dangerous diseases like rabies and fungal infections are higher. 

So, it is always recommended to contact a professional pest control company and leave the next steps to them. They will ensure that your home is bat free and you are stress-free.

Seek Professional Assistance

​Handling a bat infestation without experience poses health risks like rabies or fungal infections. It's advisable to contact professional pest control companies. They'll manage the removal process, ensuring a bat-free home and peace of mind for you. When suspecting a bat infestation, timely action and professional intervention offer the best resolution. Handling removal without expertise raises health hazards, making professional assistance the safer and more efficient option.