Bats are beneficial to the environment because they eat insects that are harmful to plants and crops, but they can also be a nuisance and a health hazard when they take up residence in homes or buildings. They can carry diseases and bacteria which they transmit to people or other animals that come into contact with them or their droppings.
They typically roost in dark places such as attics, eaves, under porches, and around windows where they may enter houses through open doors or windows. If you have these critters on your property it is important to call AAAC Wildlife Removal before the problem gets worse.
Bats in the attic
There are at least 13 species of bats in Florida. Most pose very little direct risk to people. The risk comes from the diseases they may carry, such as rabies, histoplasmosis, and leptospirosis. Bats that roost in buildings can be a nuisance because of the droppings they leave and the noise they make. They can also damage property by gnawing on wires or wood.
The best way to get rid of these creatures is through a process called exclusion. This is a method where all possible points of entry are sealed off. These critters can squeeze through very narrow gaps, so if all openings are sealed with close-fitting screens or other material after the bats leave for the night, they will be forced to find somewhere else to roost. Exclusion, however, is not allowed during the maternity season (April 15 to August 15).
Bats love places like your chimney or attic. It is dark, quiet, and warm. They like to make their homes in places where they will be undisturbed by people or other animals. They use the tiny openings like cracks or gaps in your roof, eaves, or gables to come and go as they please.
If you live in a location where bats are common, then it is very likely that you will have a bat problem at some point. If you are seeing these winged creatures flying in and out of your home, or if you find droppings or urine stains on the exterior of your house, then it is time to call in a professional.
Bat Exclusion: The Best Bat Control Method in Palm Beach
When it comes to getting rid of bats in your home, the best possible option is a process known as exclusion. This method seals all openings where the small animals can enter and exit from their roosting sites within your attic or eaves. This work must be carried out during non-maternity times (April 15 through mid-August). Once they are excluded, they will find another place to live and you will be rid of them for good.
Bats will often leave at dusk to feed on insects and then come back into the building through a small opening. The size of this entryway is important because it must be closed off or larger than half an inch in diameter. They can squeeze very thin (less than ¼”) to gain entrance, so make sure you check every possible place where they might enter your home.
Bat exclusion works incredibly well because it is a hands-on process that seals off all possible entry areas preventing them from re-entering. It is also a permanent solution, so you can be sure the bats will not come back.
One-way doors are a common method of exclusion that works well for small animals like bats. These are made of heavy-duty plastic, netting, or metal, so they can stand up to the weather outside your home. They attach with screws or nails to the exterior wall surrounding an opening where you know there is a bat colony inside.
The one-way door works by leaving open only one side of the portal which the bats can exit from but not re-enter. Once they have left, you can then close off the one-way door and seal up the opening with a permanent material like metal sheeting or wire mesh.
The process we use for bat exclusion work
Bat exclusion can be a very difficult and time-consuming job if you try to do it yourself. It takes years of experience, special tools such as respirators for the bat guano dust found in attics, and a thorough knowledge of bats habits to get rid of them successfully. Here’s how we do it.
- Spend a great deal of time identifying all areas where bats could enter your home. This means checking every possible place that is bigger than ¼ inch in diameter, including gaps around vents and electrical wires behind the siding.
- Install one-way doors on the exterior of your home around any openings where the animals have been seen entering and exiting.
- Make sure all bats have left the building by checking for their presence in the attic.
- Seal up all entry points on the outside of your home, making sure to use a material that won’t allow them back in. Re-secure any loose siding or trim boards as well for an extra measure of protection.
- Perform attic clean-up and decontamination.
- Replace insulation if necessary.
- Repair interior and exterior damage caused by bats.
Bats are beneficial because they provide free insect pest control, but when they take up residence in your home, it can be a huge hassle. Our exclusion methods are the best way to rid yourself of these small creatures without harming them.
We are experts at bat exclusion here in Palm Beach County, Florida, so if you have a problem with these critters inside or outside your home, contact us today for more information on how we can help.
Dealing with Bat Infestation in Palm Beach
The presence of bats in or around your home can be a huge headache. They get under siding and into the attic, where they leave behind massive amounts of guano (bat droppings) which is highly corrosive to wooden structures, ductwork, insulation, and more. Not only that but their urine emits an ammonia-like smell from all of the waste they expel.
Bat droppings are not only dangerous to humans but can also cause Histoplasmosis in pets and people. This is a severe respiratory disease that can cause fever, chest pain, coughing up blood, and fatigue among other things. It is best to leave the removal of bats in Palm Beach County to experts who have experience with these creatures.
Control of bats must begin as soon as you notice their presence in your home. Contact AAAC Wildlife Removal today for a consultation and to learn more about our bat exclusion services.
Does Animal Control kill bats?
The local animal control of Palm Beach County does not kill bats. Bats are federally protected which means that it is against the law to harm them. When you call them, they would usually refer you to wildlife removal companies that provide animal removal and control services.
Removal of wildlife in Palm Beach County, FL is a difficult process that must be done by experts who have years of experience trapping these creatures. Don’t try to do it yourself or you may end up harming yourself and the bats. Contact AAAC Wildlife Removal today for more information on our bat removal services.
What Diseases Can Bats Transmit to Humans?
Bats have known carriers of rabies, Histoplasmosis (a respiratory disease), and other diseases which can spread through their bite or scratch. They also leave behind large amounts of guano in the attic which can attract parasites and other insects such as roaches, ants, and rodents.
Bat guano contains Histoplasmosis spores which, when disturbed, can become airborne and be inhaled by humans. This can cause severe respiratory problems and should not be taken lightly.
You must contact a professional bat removal company as soon as possible if bats are living in your home. Do not try to remove them yourself as this could lead to serious health complications.
Do bats carry rabies?
Bats are known carriers of rabies, a deadly virus that can be transmitted to humans and pets. Transmission risk is relatively low but it is always best to be safe and avoid coming in contact with them if possible.
Rabies is transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, so if you are bitten by a bat it is very important to seek medical attention immediately.
There are examples of these cases in the news, for instance, in 2009, an Alaskan woman has contracted the disease when she got bitten by a bat in her home. Also in 2001, two Virginia residents contracted rabies from direct contact while trying to free an entangled bat.
What is Histoplasmosis?
Histoplasmosis is a serious respiratory disease caused by Histoplasma Capsulatum, a fungus that grows in the droppings of bats, birds, and other animals. It is not contagious but can cause severe health problems in humans who inhale its spores.
Symptoms of Histoplasmosis are mostly like common cold and may include fever, chills, headache, cough (may bring up blood), muscle ache, fatigue. The symptoms are so common that the only way to be diagnosed is through tests.
Are bats protected in Florida?
Bats are federally protected in the United States and it is illegal to harm, harass, or kill them. When you encounter a bat in Palm Beach County, FL you should contact a professional nuisance wildlife control company.
These animals are an important part of our ecosystem and provide many benefits such as controlling the population of insects. They can eat massive amounts of insects in an hour so not having them around can cause an increase in harmful insect populations.
Wildlife Removal Services in Palm Beach County, FL
Palm Beaches Florida has a diverse wildlife population, including bats. The region is home to a wide variety of wildlife including raccoons, opossums, armadillos, snakes, and of course bats.
That said, our wildlife control experts also offer snake removal, raccoon removal, opossum trapping services, and removal of all other nuisance wildlife in Palm Beach County, FL. We will provide you with a detailed plan to remove the critters safely and humanely.
We are the premier wildlife control company in Palm Beach County, FL, and have been providing professional wildlife removal services for over 20 years. We fully guarantee our work to rid your property of any nuisance animals that you may be facing.
