Are big brown bats a beneficial species in Langhorne or a dangerous one? To many people, the answer is not obvious.
Movies and misconceptions have convinced some that bats are always an undesirable species, but this is not the case. With their voracious appetite for consuming insects and arachnids, big brown bats and similar species are critical to the environment.
Unfortunately, several bat species are under threat. Various government entities have recognized that big brown bats are crucial members of the ecosystem and have taken steps to protect these species.
This means that when people believe that big brown bats have taken up residence in a building that they own, they cannot do whatever they think is best in the situation. Laws and regulations stipulate that these animals be handled with care to preserve their numbers. This means that big brown bat infestations must be approached thoughtfully, humanely and within the limits of the law.
When big brown bats invade, the only sensible avenue is to contact a licensed pest management company. Staff members are trained to identify bat species and respond appropriately so that the bats, the building and the people all are safeguarded. Typically, this means installing bat exclusion equipment at the appropriate time so that the bats can leave the building but never return.
Handling big brown bat infestations is something that experienced pest control professionals do on a regular basis. Be sure to call in a professional whenever bats start making themselves at home in residential and commercial structures.
WHAT DO
BIG BROWN
BATS LOOK LIKE?
The name "big brown bats" may conjure up images of flying animals that are oversized and have massive wingspans, but this is not the case. Most bat species are small, and big brown bats are only slightly larger in size with body lengths of about four or five inches. Their wingspan may stretch as far as one foot. Mostly covered in dark brown fur, these bats also have ears that are rounded as well as fleshy lips and broad noses.
WHAT DO
BIG BROWN
BATS EAT?
Where big brown bats are found, it is a certainty that huge populations of insects also are present. These animals are capable of consuming shockingly large amounts of insects when they emerge each night to forage. Moths, flies, mosquitoes, gnats, beetles and other bugs that people think of as pests are all on the menu.
Note that many of the insects that big brown bats routinely eat have a semi-aquatic lifestyle. This means that any property on which there are lakes, streams, ponds, man-made water features, plumbing leaks or problems with standing water are more likely to host large insect populations that will attract big brown bats.
WHERE DO
BIG BROWN
BATS LIVE?
From one corner of North and South America to the next, it may be possible to encounter populations of big brown bats. Langhorne's mild and hospitable climate is especially welcoming to the species. That is good news for keeping local insect populations under control, but it also increases the chances that homes and businesses will be bothered by infestations.
An individual big brown bat may have several roosts, with each one serving a specific purpose. One of these is reserved for winter hibernation. Frequently a cave or an abandoned mine, this roost has a steady, predictable temperature and is not subject to strong winds. The other roosts are either daytime or nighttime roosts. Once again, a cave or mine may be used, but these roosts are more likely to be located in woodpiles or stacks of rocks.
Man-made structures can provide ideal roosting conditions either for hibernation or simple daytime or nighttime roosting. Big brown bats like locations that are quiet, dark and rarely disturbed. This is why chimneys, attics and fireplaces make such ideal choices for roosting. Bats may be seen in sheds, garages and storage facilities as well.
While big brown bats will roost in wall voids and other interior places, they also will choose shutters, eaves and overhangs for this purpose.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY
BIG BROWN
BATS
For such a beneficial species, big brown bats are capable of wreaking havoc on buildings. The damage is apparent on the building's exterior, with considerable staining collecting around the entrances that the bats are using. Moreover, bats that roost on the exterior will leave behind visible stains.
Big brown bats have extremely high concentrations of uric acid in all of their waste products. This caustic substance eats through wood, cement, masonry, brick and other materials with ease. If an infestation of big brown bats in Langhorne is not addressed as soon as possible, the damage to the structure can be devastating.
With the potential for necessary repairs to be prohibitively expensive and difficult, it is always best to call a pest management professional at the first signs of an infestation.
ARE
BIG BROWN
BATS AGGRESSIVE?
This species certainly is not the blood-seeking, vicious animal that may be depicted in movies and books. Instead, big brown bats are intent on seeking their next meal, and encounters with people are likely to interfere with this purpose.
Still, accidental confrontations do occur, both indoors and outside. Outdoor encounters tend to be momentary in nature with the bat quickly flying away. When bats come into rooms where people are located, bites and scratches are a possibility as the frightened bat looks for an escape. People can help by calmly opening all exterior doors and windows.
DO
BIG BROWN
BATS CARRY DISEASE?
Between physical contact and exposure to waste products, it is possible for people to become ill from being in proximity to big brown bats. Two of the most common diseases that are associated with these animals are rabies and histoplasmosis. Rabies is a viral disease that may be spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Symptoms may include excessive salivation, headache, fever, confusion and spasms.
The Histoplasma fungus may be present in bat waste products. People who inhale these fungi may be diagnosed with an illness of the lungs that involves coughing, fatigue and fever.
HOW TO DETECT
BIG BROWN
BATS
Signs of a big brown bat infestation include:
• Damage to attic vents • Stains on building exteriors • A smell like ammonia is encountered indoors • Bats can be heard scratching and squeaking from behind walls
HOW TO PREVENT
BIG BROWN
BATS
To help prevent big brown bat issues the following steps should be taken:
• Invite pest control technicians to control insect populations • Get rid of openings in the building's exterior • Ensure that all chimneys are capped • Fix water leaks and standing water problems • Install bat houses in nearby trees
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.
