Bats are amazing creatures. They have keen eyesight and sharp hearing. These flying mammals are an important link in the food web because they spread seeds and help to control the insect population. Unfortunately, they also carry several dangerous diseases. If you are a homeowner, it is wise to make sure your attic is bat-proofed. If you need to perform a bat removal operation, make sure you understand the risks before coming in close contact with these animals.
Normally, bats are harmless. They do not wish to interact with humans, but when people and bats are in close proximity, the possibility for disease transfer increases greatly. Bat-proofing the home is a relatively simple procedure, but if you are not sure how to perform this task or are physically unable to complete the work, call on the services of a professional animal control company.
Bats And Disease
Rabies is the most dangerous disease carried and spread by bats. Bats are able to harbor rabies in their system. The reason is because the disease does not incubate rapidly within a bat’s blood or other fluid. If a bat should bite another animal, rabies can be transferred via saliva.
Histoplasmosis is a disease that can be spread through bat droppings. If a human or animal comes in contact with fungus growing on decaying matter, there is a good chance of infection. Histoplasmosis affects the lungs and surrounding tissues, and it can be fatal if not treated in its early stages.
Bats like to roost in dark, confined spaces during the day. Caves, abandoned building, and home attics are their favorite hideouts. If bats take up residence in your attic, the possibility of an interaction between them and your pet dog increases significantly. Other animals, especially neighborhood raccoons, often encounter bats at night, and if there is any sort of skirmish, the possibility of rabies transference through a bite is very real indeed.
Bat-Proofing The Home
- Bats come in all sizes, but most species are able to squeeze through a very small opening in order to reach a confined cave or attic space. Many homes contain ventilation holes around the perimeter of the roof. These should be screened with wire to prevent bats from entering the attic.
- Any small holes in the ceiling should be caulked and filled. Bats normally do not enter the home via the attic, but if they are starved for food, they might investigate any passageway that is open to them.
- Take a look at the holes bored into walls for the purpose of plumbing pipe thruways. These holes should be shored up and sealed with plastic or wire mesh. If windows are left open at night, make certain that there are no holes or rips in the wire screens.
Removing Bats From The Attic
This is a job best left to the professionals. Bats can become very agitated if their living quarters are disturbed. When they fly about in a confined space, they can become disoriented because their squeaks – which are high-pitched and used as a sonar signal – become distorted, causing them to bang into walls and the ceiling. If they feel the need to defend themselves, they may bite, and there is a very real possibility of infection or disease.
Animal control experts are equipped to deal with the problem of bats in the attic. Bat removal procedures are performed without putting humans or pets in harm’s way. Precise Pest Control is a company noted for its expertise. if your home has been invaded by bats and you are looking for a professional New Jersey bat removal company, contact Precise Termite and Pest Control at (866) 971-2847 to schedule a free home or business inspection. We are located in Morris County, but provide pest services to Bergen and Passaic County as well as other parts of New Jersey.