Bats generally try to stay away from people, but sometimes man-made structures are irresistible.
This is because attics and other dark, remote spaces provide exactly the kind of habitat that bats need. Such indoor spaces are used for roosting, and serious problems can ensue if the bat infestation is not discovered and dealt with in a timely manner.
The bats that are most frequently found in this region are quite small. This means that it is possible for them to squeeze through surprisingly tiny cracks and fissures. When they get indoors, bats cause damage to property and may be responsible for spreading serious illnesses. Thus, it is vital for people to take action when they suspect a bat infestation.
DOES MY PROPERTY HAVE A BAT INFESTATION?
Property owners may have a suspicion that bats are roosting somewhere in their building based on certain signs. These may include some staining on the exterior of the building or actually observing bats entering and leaving through an opening. Property owners may notice a peculiar smell or even hear sounds of rustling emanating from above the ceiling or behind the walls.
However, the only way to be certain that the property has a bat infestation and not an infestation of some other type of pest is to have a professional pest inspection performed. A trained technician knows all of the signs to look for to definitively identify a bat infestation. Additionally, these technicians are especially skilled when it comes to identifying openings in the building that the bats may be using to come and go as they please.
Bat removal typically is a multi-step process, each component of which is handled by a licensed pest management professional. The first step is the inspection, which includes identification of the infesting species. The technician then ensures that the bats are excluded from the property before cleaning up any contamination left behind by the animals. Repairs also may be necessary as materials such as wood, brick, clay, masonry and insulation all can sustain damage during a bat infestation.
To perform the initial inspection, the technician will need to access all portions of the building, including attics and storage areas that are rarely used by people. The technician may see observable signs of the infestation, but it also is possible that he will hear the bats moving in other parts of the building or smell the evidence of their presence.
Bat urine and droppings are unusual in that they contain an inordinately large amount of uric acid. This corrosive substance can cause extensive damage in buildings, and its ammonia-like smell is a dead giveaway of the presence of bats. Frequently, it is this odor that helps the technician to differentiate a bat infestation from infestation by other creatures.
The technician further may inspect the exterior of the building in an effort to identify the openings that the bats are using. These openings frequently develop stains over prolonged use.
INSPECTING FOR BAT INFESTATIONS
When any Ewing area property owner suspects that they have a bat problem, the wisest course of action is always to contact a licensed pest management company. These organizations have trained technicians on staff who can perform comprehensive inspections that uncover all of the pest species that are present. Additionally, these experienced employees know how to treat for all pests ranging from ants to bats and beyond.
Technicians approach bat infestations with particular care. Many bat species are endangered, and with laws in place to protect them, it is essential that they are properly handled. This means that the bats are not harmed in any way during the inspection and treatment process. Instead, they are carefully and humanely excluded from the indoor spaces that they once inhabited.
BAT IDENTIFICATION
Mexican free-tailed bats, big brown bats and little brown bats all are found in the region, and all of these species may move indoors when a building is not properly sealed against pests. Some of these bat species are endangered, and because bats are beneficial to the ecosystems in which they live, they are protected by federal law.
This means that proper identification of the bat species that are found inside buildings is essential. These species must be handled with extra care so that they are not harmed. At the same time, bats cannot be allowed to roost indoors where they can cause extensive damage and make people sick.
Professional bat removal technicians properly identify bat species so that the right exclusion equipment is utilized. This ensures that the bats can safely exit the property and will not be able to come back inside.
IS DIY BAT REMOVAL POSSIBLE?
Because federal and state laws protect many bat species, it is not wise for property owners to attempt bat removal. Harming protected species is illegal, even if it is accidental.
If you are concerned about bats roosting in your attic or other indoor space, then you may search online to find a quick solution to the problem. You will uncover all sorts of ultrasonic devices and other supposed remedies that claim to drive away bats. The reality is that these so-called remedies are most often ineffective.
To avoid wasting time and money, the better approach is to call in a professional. They can provide bat removal services that are within the scope of the law. Thanks to extensive training and access to the most innovative and effective bat exclusion equipment, technicians can ensure the safe removal of bats from the premises.
Additionally, the technician can help with the cleanup and repairs that are integral parts of the bat removal process. Until the space in which the bats were roosting is in better than new condition, the bat removal process is ongoing.
RECOVERING FROM BAT INFESTATIONS
When an inspection reveals that bats have been roosting inside a building, the technician wastes no time in taking action. In fact, acting quickly is a critical part of the process because the longer bat infestations go on, the more damage is done to the property and the greater risk that someone will get sick.
The technician installs bat exclusion equipment on all of the exterior openings that the bats have been using. This equipment allows the bats to leave the building but will not allow them to come back indoors. Accordingly, the bats leave on their own without people needing to interfere.
Once all of the bats are gone, the cleanup and repair process begins. The technician will seal up the openings through which the bats were entering to prevent other pest problems, then start cleaning up the bat droppings and urine. This is crucial, because those waste products damage building materials and carry disease.
With the building restored to hygienic conditions and made bat-proof, it is possible to leave bat problems behind for good.
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.
