Although bats may tend to make any Ewing resident uneasy, there really is no cause for this concern. Bats actually are beneficial to the ecosystem because they are tremendous pollinators and eat thousands of insects.
Nonetheless, it is always wise for people to keep their distance from bats. Bites and scratches are possible in encounters between bats and humans, and wounds such as these can transmit diseases to people. Moreover, many of the bat species in the local area are endangered. This means that there are laws protecting these animals.
Unfortunately, man-made structures make exceptionally good habitat for bats. While people may know to leave bats alone, bats can be determined to live in close proximity to people.
An attic that has a gap or crack in an exterior wall or even a small hole in the roof easily can admit species such as the little brown bat, big brown bat and Northern long-eared bat. The bats may use the attic as a roost, spending several hours every day there.
At first, this may not sound like it is a huge problem, but this misconception soon is dispelled. Bat waste products have an extraordinarily high concentration of uric acid. This substance causes common building materials to decay, and as long as the bats are indoors, people using the building are at risk for getting sick.
It is not legal for people to harm bats in this region, which means that bat infestations must be carefully managed. Typically, this involves the installation of bat-proofing equipment, which makes it possible for bats to leave the building but does not allow them to return.
With bat exclusion equipment, professional cleaning and essential repairs, the building is returned to its original condition. These services all can be provided by a local pest management company.
WHAT DO BATS LOOK LIKE?
Little brown bats are tiny, with full-grown specimens measuring three to five inches and weighing one-half ounce. Their wings are dark and may be nine to eleven inches long. Their bodies feature glossy dark fur, short ears, sharp teeth and brown or black feet.
Big brown bats share some superficial similarities with little brown bats. Their coloration is virtually the same, but the wingspans may measure as much as 13 inches, and most adults have bodies that are five inches long. This larger size means that these bats generally weigh about one and a half ounces. Also distinguishing this species from the little brown bat is its fuller lips and broader nose.
Like other bats in the region, the Northern long-eared bat is covered in brown or black fur. Its three-inch body is accompanied by a pair of wings measuring about ten inches. Thanks to its extremely large ears, this species is fairly easy to distinguish from the others.
WHAT DO BATS EAT?
Many pest insect species are common in the region, and the local bats have a huge appetite for them. Some of the bugs that bats regularly consume include wasps, moths, flies, mosquitoes, gnats, lacewings and many others. Notice that many of these species frequently live in or near the water. This means that bat populations might be denser on properties where a body of water is found or that have drainage problems.
WHERE DO BATS LIVE?
Although small, bats can cause a significant amount of property damage. The first sign of such damage may be discolorations and stains around the opening in the building that the bats are using as an entrance.
The damage gets worse wherever the bats roost. Bat waste products are distributed liberally throughout the roosting area. Extremely corrosive, guano and urine soak into and destroy all sorts of materials including wood and bricks. Unless a bat infestation is discovered in the earliest stages, it is likely that the bats will be responsible for a considerable amount of destruction.
All bat waste products must be cleaned away before the infestation can truly be considered to be at an end. Moreover, replacement of insulation and other repairs may be required.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY BATS
Unfortunately, a bat infestation can cause structural damage. This is mostly attributed to the animals' corrosive waste products. Staining is the least of the problem as wood begins to decay beneath guano deposits. Brick and clay also can be damaged by bat waste because of the high concentration of uric acid, and the same is true for insulation. Additionally, odors can become a serious issue for people in the building.
Taking early control measures is essential to minimizing damage to the structure.
ARE BATS AGGRESSIVE?
While bats do like to roost in man-made structures, they do not necessarily want to be noticed by people. Their nocturnal habits make it easier for them to avoid human contact as much as possible, and bats would probably prefer to fly away rather than engage in a confrontation.
Still, wayward bats do sometimes make their way into parts of a building where people are. Should this occur, it is wise for people to stay calm. Swatting at the bat will only excite it and maximize the chances of receiving a bite or a scratch. Simply opening all exterior doors and windows and leaving the bat alone will soon take care of the problem.
DO BATS CARRY DISEASE?
Some bats in Ewing are infected with rabies, but it is not possible to know which animals are infected simply by looking at them. If a person is bitten or scratched by a bat, then it is wise to try to trap the animal and test it for rabies. Whether this is possible or not, it is essential that the bite victim seek immediate medical attention to protect against possible infection with rabies or other diseases.
Perhaps the most common infection associated with bats in Histoplasmosis. This infection of the lungs is transmitted through the inhalation of air that is contaminated by certain fungi in bat guano. The danger of catching this illness is why professional cleanup of a bat infestation is critical.
HOW TO DETECT BATS
Bat infestations may be discovered through these signs:
• Rustling sounds behind walls • Certain rooms have an unusual odor • Bats cluster around an exterior opening in the building • Dead bat bodies found on the landscaping
HOW TO PREVENT BATS
Use these tips to discourage bats from coming indoors:
• Install bat exclusion equipment on building exteriors • Place bat boxes in trees on the property • Ensure that the building's exterior is properly sealed • Keep regular pest control appointments • Fix drainage issues
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.
