Bats In My House: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Finding bats in your living space can be alarming, but it’s a common problem many homeowners face. Rodent Solutions specializes in bat exclusions in Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, and surrounding areas. This blog will cover why bats enter homes, their behavior and life cycle, and how you can keep them out.

What Attracts Bats to Homes and Businesses?

Ideal Roosting Spots

Bats are always looking for safe places to roost. They love dark, quiet spaces like attics, eaves, and chimneys, which offer them shelter and safety from predators. Bats are also great at maneuvering through small openings.

Abundant Food Sources

Bats eat insects and are especially drawn to areas with many bugs. Outdoor lights attract insects, making your home or business appealing for bats.

Shelter and Protection

Bats seek warm, secure places to live and raise their young. Your attic or other parts of your building might provide the perfect environment for them.

When Are Bats Most Active?

Nocturnal Nature

Bats are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. You’ll likely hear or see them flying around during dusk and dawn.

Seasonal Behavior

Bats behave differently depending on the season. In warmer months, they are active and searching for food. During colder months, they might migrate or hibernate.

Breeding Season

Bats breed in the summer, and baby bats, or pups, are usually born in late spring or early summer. During this time, you need to be extra cautious as there might be a whole colony in your home.

The Bat Life Cycle

Birth and Development

Baby bats, called pups, are born in the early summer. They are cared for by their mothers until they can fly and hunt on their own, usually within a few weeks.

Lifespan and Reproduction

Bats can live for many years and have a slow reproduction rate, typically having one pup per year. This slow rate means it’s important to handle them with care.

Social Structure

Bats often live in colonies, which can range from a few bats to hundreds. They are social animals and prefer to stay with their group.

Signs of a Bat Infestation

Visual Signs

Look for bat droppings, known as guano, which can pile up near entry points. You might also see urine stains and grease marks where bats squeeze through openings.

Auditory Signs

You might hear scratching or chirping noises, especially at dusk and dawn when bats are leaving or returning to the roost.

Behavioral Signs

Increased bat activity around your property, such as seeing bats flying around at dusk, is a strong sign you might have a bat problem. You may also hear them coming in and out of your home during the early morning or night.

Common Mistakes

Home and business owners can make extremely common mistakes when attempting to prevent bat infestations. If you have bats enter into your home, opening windows can help get them to leave your living area. Do not attempt to capture the bat with your bare hands. Releasing the bat safely is important because Florida’s State Wildlife Agency protects them.

When dealing with a bat issue, it is best to call professionals in for a bat exclusion. These animals carry many health risks and concerns.

Health Risks and Concerns

Bats can pose significant health risks to you and your family. One of the most serious concerns is rabies.

While not all bats carry rabies, a bite from an infected bat can transmit this deadly virus to humans and pets. Rabies affects the nervous system and, if left untreated, can be fatal. It’s crucial to avoid direct contact with bats and seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten or scratched.

Another health risk associated with bat infestations is histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus thrives in bat droppings (guano) and can become airborne when the droppings are disturbed. This is why it is important to let a professional handle your clean up.

Histoplasmosis can cause flu-like symptoms, and in severe cases, it can lead to chronic lung disease. Proper cleaning and handling of bat guano are essential to prevent exposure to this harmful fungus. Avoid any direct contact with bats and their droppings.

Bat infestations and droppings can damage your home or business. If bat removal is not addressed promptly by a bat expert, this can lead to expensive repairs.

Professional Bat Exclusion Services

Our Bat Exclusion Process

At Rodent Solutions, we use humane and effective techniques to remove bats from your home or business. We ensure they are safely excluded and cannot return.

Long-term Prevention

We also offer maintenance plans to keep bats from coming back, giving you peace of mind.

Conclusion

Having bats in your house can be unsettling, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. Rodent Solutions is here to help with expert bat exclusion services in Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or inspection.

Call to Action

If you’re dealing with bats in your house, don’t wait. Contact Rodent Solutions for professional bat exclusion services. We’re here to help you keep your home or business bat-free.

By understanding why bats come into homes, their behavior, and how to prevent them, you can protect your property and health. Remember, Rodent Solutions is just a call away for all your bat exclusion needs.

Resources

Florida Health Department

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Why Are Bats Protected in Florida?