Facts, Identification & Removal
Latin Name
Order Chiroptera
Appearance
What do they look like?
Size
Bats range in size across the different species, but tend to average about 5.5 to 19 cm in length (tip to tail) with a wingspread of approximately 15 to 38 cm. Most weigh between 3.5 and 60 grams (in the U.S.).
Color
Bats’ bodies are covered with hair varying in color from tan to black. Their wings stretch across elongated arm and finger bones.
Wings & teeth
Most bats have pointed ears and have the characteristic wings made of leathery skin; there is no fur on the wings. Bats also have teeth.
Legs
When roosting, bats commonly hold on to their roost with their hind legs, hanging upside down. They cannot grasp with their front legs as the toes, known as fingers, are the support of the wing.
Bat Sound
What do they sound like?
Listen to an audio recording of bat sounds.
How Did I Get Bats?
Because their wings give them easy access to attics and roofs, bats may make their way into houses. They fit through small holes and enter in search of a safe place to hibernate during the cold-weather months and develop colonies of a few or large numbers of individuals. Uncapped chimneys, gaps around the roof and fascia boards, holes in vent screens, and doors or windows without proper weather stripping can let the animals inside.
How Serious Are Bats?
While generally beneficial, these animals are a health concern in homes. Bats are a vector for rabies, a rare but serious disease that may pass to humans through bites. Their guano, or feces, encourages the growth of a harmful fungus that is the causative organism of histoplasmosis.
When bats enter attics, they sometimes fall into wall voids. These openings may allow them to fly into living spaces or trap them inside. In addition to creating a foul smell, the carcass of a trapped bat attracts flies and other pests.
How Do I Get Rid of Bats?
Bat Removal & Control Services
Bat management is truly a challenge. Any opening 3/8 inch or larger is sufficient for entry of smaller bats, so pest management professionals must be very thorough in their efforts.
The first part of successfully managing a bat infestation is to inspect and evaluate the situation.
Two inspections may be necessary for a full understanding of the situation.
- An inspection at dusk determines the size of the infestation as the bats leave for their nightly feeding. Also, it shows their preferred exit point from the structure.
- A second inspection needs to take place during daylight hours when the bats are sleeping and humans can see best (bright lights such as flashlights and work lights may scare the bats at night and cause them to change their habits). This inspection needs to identify deficiencies of the building/structure, the roosting site, species of bat and equipment needed to effectively control.
Once the situation is assessed and understood, a humane solution should be devised.
Hazards
Bats are a potentially dangerous infestation to control. Not only can they as pests cause problems, but there are medical implications to consider.
Rabies
Bats can carry rabies without showing any signs, and working near bats may increase the chances of exposure.
Bat droppings & disease
Also, accumulation of their droppings creates a suitable environment for the growth of Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus which can cause lung disease in humans. Spores contained within the dust are inhaled into the lungs. Severe cases can be fatal. This danger and access to the proper safety equipment are two reasons why only experts should attempt to control bat infestations.
Signs of a Bat Infestation
Homeowners may detect bats in several ways. As bats enter and leave an opening, the oils from their fur get deposited and can result in a brown to black stain. Bats in the house can cause noises from their routine activities. Their droppings are another indicator of bat activity. The droppings are segmented and full of insect parts, which helps differentiate them from mouse droppings. The bats themselves are a sign and may be observed exiting from the home in the dusk to early evening hours.
Behavior, Diet & Habits
What do they eat?
Most bats are insectivores, feeding on insects at night. Bats will also frequent outside lighting where insects will be flying in warmer weather. They may also be found near swimming pools, as insects might be attracted to these areas. There are some species that prefer other foods such as fruits, but most of these are not usually found in the United States.
Colonies
Bats can be either colonial bats, living in colonies, or solitary bats, living alone or with just a few other bats. There is no queen bat in colonies; the bats just aggregate together.
Hibernation
Winter hibernation is an instinct felt by all domestic bat species. Some travel less than 100 miles, while others travel thousands of miles from their summer roost. Equally fascinating is that some species winter in small groups, while others choose to gather in large numbers for their winter rest.
Bats emerge in the early days of spring and leave their overwintering sites for summer homes. Typically, the first to establish nesting areas are the females ready to give birth. Because of their impending maternity, these new colonies are known as maternity or nursery colonies.
Reproduction & Life Cycle
Many bats produce one litter of a few young per year, but a number of offspring and mating habits vary depending on the bats species.
Baby bats are usually born during the summer months. The infant bats breastfeed until they’re ready to fly and hunt food on their own. The bats remain in this roost until the fall when it’s time to overwinter. Prior to leaving for winter residence, males begin arriving at these colonies in large numbers, ready to mate with the female inhabitants.
Are Bats Dangerous?
Bats are a unique mammal that has a long and storied history full of misconceptions. Through time, they’ve become associated with evil of many forms, such as sorcery, witchcraft, haunted cemeteries and vampires. Bats also have long been feared due to a belief that rabies is rampant within their population. This is only partially true. Bats can carry rabies, but it is rare, and most bats prefer to avoid interaction with humans so the chances of transmittal are low except when performing bat control work.
What is true about bats is they’re nocturnal and the only mammal capable of true flight. Bats are beneficial to humans, since common species feed entirely on insects. Some people even choose to install bat houses on their property to encourage nesting.
Bat Species
Though bats are distinct as a family, individual species can be difficult to differentiate. There are over 900 species of bats worldwide with approximately 40 of these residing north of Mexico.
The three of the most common species encountered domestically are the big brown bat, the little brown bat, and the Mexican free-tailed bat. These can be difficult to tell apart (even for a professional), so it’s recommended that an expert be consulted prior to attempting any control efforts.
The Best Wildlife Removal
When it comes to addressing wildlife nuisances trusth the professionals.The best wildlife removal companies hire and train seasoned specialists equipped to handle diverse wildlife infestations. From humane trapping techniques to comprehensive exclusion methods, these top-tier services prioritize both the wildlife’s safety and their clients’ peace of mind.
More Information
What Do Bat Droppings Look Like?