Education
Learn More About Bats
Bat Bugs
Bat bugs are mites that feed on bats. Bat mites, like their hosts (mainly brown bats that live in colonies), love to live in dark, protected areas and narrow places where it is difficult to see and find.
White-Nose Syndrome
White-Nose Syndrome is a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which is causing mass mortalities in hibernating bats all acrossvNorth America.
Breeding Cycle
The breeding cycle begins in early spring, between the months of March and April depending on the weather. Towards the end of October, the mating ends in preparation for hibernation.
Hibernation
The hibernation period beings towards the very end of October and the beginning of November. Bats are beginning to return to their roosts where they plan to spend the entire winter.
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus called H. capsulatum. It is not contagious; it cannot be transmitted from an infected person, it is only contracted through breathing in the spores.
Rabies
Rabies is a serious disease that is caused by a virus. Rabies is mainly a disease of animals however, humans can get rabies when bitten by an infected animal. Bats are the most common source of human rabies infection in the US.
Bat Blogs
Preparing for Bat Removal Season
Many people have begun to pay more and more attention to the important role bees play in the ecological system. Another important animal that plays a very big role in the ecosystem is bats. Bats are equally crucial for pollinating many fruits and vegetables, just like...
When Should I Start Thinking About Bat Removal?
The weather has warmed up and you are starting to hear a scratching sound in your walls and ceilings. It is starting to bother you and creep you out because you are not sure what is making the sound. Is it a family of mice? Is it a squirrel? Do I have bats? What is...
Why You Should Consider Professional Bat Removal
They say persistence is key. Well, bats are persistent. They are like that one person who consistently reaches out to you time and time again, asking for you to hang out or asking you for something. Eventually, you just give in and hang out with them or give them what...
FAQs
If I Found A Bat In My Home, Should I Test It?
Yes, the CDC recommends that you should always test bats that are in your house and that you catch.
Do I Need A Rabies Shot?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is very clear when addressing rabies. “Recent data suggest that transmission of the rabies virus can occur from minor, seemingly unimportant, or unrecognized bites from bats… Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for all persons with [a possible] bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure to a bat unless the bat is available for testing and is negative for evidence of rabies.”
If the bat was in a room with a child, a person asleep, a person intoxicated, or someone mentally impaired, they should seek medical attention. Post-exposure rabies shots may save your life, but the shots are very expensive so it is important to get the answer right!
For more information about when to get rabies shots, Visit Here and Here, to view the CDC government website.
If you can safely collect the bat you’ve come in contact with and submit it for rabies diagnosis, you may not need post-exposure rabies shots. To test a bat for rabies virus, its brain must be intact. The bat can be dead or alive when you collect it, but it will be euthanized for the test. You must preserve the bat in a container until it can be picked up or dropped off for testing. If the bat is dead, it should be stored in a cool place to prevent decomposition.
Is Bat Guano Dangerous?
In most cases, you can sweep up and clean bat guano without any cause for concern, however, we always recommend wearing protective equipment such as gloves, mask, and goggles. There is a small chance you can come into contact with and contract Histoplasmosis. A small amount of bat guano should be a harmless as a few mouse droppings. Once the guano piles up, a fungus that causes histoplasmosis can start to grow, and this is when you need to be careful.
If you are going to clean up bat guano by yourself, we recommend spraying the guano with bleach or fungicide before disturbing it to help mitigate your risk. The best thing you can do is talk to a professional (like us) before attempting to clean up a large amount of bat guano first.
If you do not want to clean up bat guano, we would be more than happy to do it for you and provide our services to you!
Will My Insurance Cover The Cost Of Bat Removal Services?
As long as you don’t have a stated coverage policy excluding bats, your insurance probably allows for some sort of coverage for damages caused to the sheetrock by bats. Getting this coverage is often difficult but can be done.
If you purchased your home in the last 24 months and the infestation was not disclosed to you, the errors and omissions insurance for the real estate agent and the home inspector involved in the sale may provide coverage. Additionally, the seller of the property is often liable for the first 24 months after purchase.