INDOOR PEST CONTROL TIPS: HOW TO KEEP BATS AT BAY

Bats are more than just something from Halloween stories that act as spooky decor. Here in the Chattahoochee Valley, they can be a major wildlife control concern. Put the festive pieces aside, bats can be a real nuisance in the South, and the sooner you’re able to address them, the better!

Did you know that Georgia is home to numerous native bat species? According to the  Georgia Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife Resources Division (DNR) , Georgia actually has 16 native bat species. Internationally, bats are the  second largest group of mammals  in the world. It’s staggering to think they are only trumped by the human population.

While these flying mammals are helpful in the removal of mosquitoes, moths, and other insects, they can also pose a great threat to your home and health. The most common health hazard related to bats is actually not the bat itself, but what comes from the bat. Guano is a popular term used for bat fecal matter and it is extremely harmful and dangerous. One dangerous result of guano flumes is histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by fungus growing on animal droppings commonly guano. Over 90% of all histoplasmosis cases are reported in the Southeast due to hot and humid climates.

HOW TO KEEP BATS AWAY HUMANELY

Here are several tips on how to “bat-proof” your home and to keep bats OUT!

• Look for entry points – Examine your home’s exterior for holes, cracks, or other small openings that could allow a bat to gain entry into your home. The  Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  suggest using caulking to fill small holes and screen for larger areas, like chimneys or vents, that must remain open to prevent bats from roosting in attic spaces, etc.
• Watch at dusk – Are you unsure how the bats are entering your home or attic? A bat always tells on itself at dusk; watch as they leave their nests to seek food. According to the  CDC , most bats hibernate in the fall and winter, so that is the best period of time to “bat-proof” your home.
• Stay calm – If a bat enters your main living space, stay calm. Often they fly down the chimney and cannot get back out. Try containing the bat to one room and open a window so it can fly out. If the bat persists and you cannot remove it, call 24/7 Local Pest Control, a professional wildlife control service.
• Do not touch – As a reminder, never handle or touch a bat. While most bats do not have rabies, you can never be sure and can only be confirmed by a professional in a laboratory. In addition, children should also be taught that while bats may look fun or cute to play with they should never be handled. The CDC has a nice quote to teach children about handling bats and other wildlife “Love your own, leave other animals alone”.

CALL 24/7 Local Pest Control FOR WILDLIFE PREVENTION

Always seek professional wildlife control services when dealing with a wild animal. While most bats if left alone are harmless, you do not want them inside your house. At 24/7 Local Pest Control, we service Georgia and Alabama for all pest and wildlife control you may encounter.

Contact us today to  learn more  about wildlife control prevention.