Little brown bats are mostly active at night, and they accordingly require a safe place to roost during the day. Many different places that are dark and offer shelter from the elements and predators can fulfill this need. Unfortunately, bats sometimes come indoors to roost and can be found in most any Bucks County home, office, or commercial building. Far from being a minor inconvenience, having bats roost in an attic, chimney or elsewhere in a structure can be highly destructive.
Bats frequently make people uneasy. In fact, some people are actually afraid of these animals. Most of this animosity arises due to misunderstandings about this creature and its habits.
Bats are an essential part of the local ecosystem. Without them, the region would be overrun with insects that are considered pests. Additionally, if there were no bats, then pollination rates would sharply decline. This means that species such as the little brown bat truly are beneficial to people and the environment.
Controlling little brown bats is not easy. Recall that this is a beneficial species, and it is critical to keep in mind that these bats are endangered. An illness called white-nose syndrome has had tragic results in recent years, with scientists estimating an almost 90 drop in bat populations in the local region.
State and local governments have stepped in to protect the species with laws and regulations. This means that exterminators generally do not kill little brown bats. Their goal is to exclude the bats from indoor spaces instead.
Because it is necessary to interact with bats only while using the utmost care, it is not advisable for property owners to attempt bat exclusion by themselves. The better choice is to hire a pest management professional who can not only ensure that the bats are excluded but also clean up and repair the damage they left behind.
WHAT DO
LITTLE BROWN
BATS LOOK LIKE?
Little brown bats are virtually covered in dark brown, glossy fur. Males tend to be slightly smaller than females, which may grow to a maximum length of five inches. Weighing about half an ounce, this tiny bat has a wingspan of eleven inches. This species also may be identified by its relatively short ears.
WHAT DO
LITTLE BROWN
BATS EAT?
It is not unusual for little brown bats to use more than one roost in a given 24-hour period. Sometimes called day roosts and night roosts, these may be located in caves or hollow trees. With their small size, these bats also can roost on the underside of a rock that has a depression beneath it. Similarly, these bats will use a location inside or on a man-made structure as a roost.
The bat leaves its day roost as the sun sets. For up to five hours, the bat feeds on insects before moving to its night roost. Although these bats do sometimes use the same roost during the day and at night, it is more common to have a separate night roost that is relatively close to the day roost. Night roosts sometimes are more spacious to allow larger groups of bats to congregate. These larger groups share body heat to maintain comfort through the colder hours of the night, then disperse to their day roosts.
WHERE DO
LITTLE BROWN
BATS LIVE?
It is not unusual for little brown bats to occupy both night and day roosts. A day roost may be found in caves or the hollow of a tree, though wood piles or the eaves of a building also may serve. At sunset, the bat leaves its day roost for a one- to five-hour period during which it eats. The bat then may retreat to a night roost where it can rest. A night roost often is close to the day roost, perhaps even in the same building. Wherever the night roost is, it is a space in which the bats can huddle together to share body warmth during the coldest part of the night. In general, it is females that form large community roosts while the males are likely to roost in smaller groups or individually.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY BATS
Unusually high concentrations of uric acid in bat feces and urine makes them caustic. When bats roost in indoor places, their waste products land all over ordinary building components like woodwork, masonry and bricks. These caustic waste products wreak havoc on these materials, causing them to begin deteriorating almost immediately. When infestations have been ongoing for some time, the damage can become severe and is expensive to repair.
This is one of the primary reasons why it is sensible to take swift action when a little brown bat infestation is suspected. This helps to minimize structural damage and make cleanup and repair simpler tasks.
ARE
LITTLE BROWN
BATS AGGRESSIVE?
While they are exceptionally skilled hunters, little brown bats do not turn these traits on people. Accidental encounters may occur, usually when a bat inadvertently enters the occupied portion of a building. While it may be tempting to swat at the bat to get it to leave, such efforts generally are counterproductive. It is far better to quietly open all exterior doors and windows so that the bat can make a quick escape.
DO
LITTLE BROWN
BATS CARRY DISEASE?
Encounters between bats and people may lead to illness. One of these potential sicknesses is rabies. This disease is not as common among bats as most people believe. Nonetheless, infection is possible if a person is scratched or bitten by a bat. It is crucial to realize that these bats have small, incredibly sharp teeth and claws. Many people do not realize they have been injured after encountering a bat because the wounds are so tiny. Accordingly, it is wise to visit a doctor and have tests performed to guard against a rabies infection.
The more common illness that may arise from a little brown bat infestation is Histoplasmosis. This disorder of the lungs arises from the inhalation of fungal spores that frequently are present in bat guano. Living or working in a building where a bat infestation is ongoing or was recently treated makes people highly susceptible to this illness.
HOW TO DETECT
LITTLE BROWN
BATS
Signs of little brown bats issue include:
• Rustling sounds above ceilings or behind walls • Finding dead bats on the property • A strong smell of ammonia inside the building • Stains on exterior walls, especially close to openings
HOW TO PREVENT
LITTLE BROWN
BATS
To help prevent little brown bat problems the following steps should be taken:
• Place screens on all doors and windows • Eliminate holes and cracks in the building's exterior • Install bat exclusion equipment • Schedule regular pest control services to keep insect populations in check • Correct issues with water leaks and standing water
HOW TO TREAT FOR BATS
Bat control can be complicated and potentially dangerous involving many procedures that are governed by state law. A licensed pest management professional should always be consulted to ensure safe and proper bat removal, decontamination, and prevention.
