Batman is a beloved figure in popular culture, but the actual winged varieties are not so welcome. Here are some things you should know about recognizing and preventing unwelcome house visits from bats.
The Health Risks from Bats
The big brown bat and little brown bat are two of the more common bat species found in South Carolina. Many types of bats migrate to warmer climates during the winter, but these two species prefer cozy spots like attics where they can hibernate.
Bats are insectivores, so they play an important part in nature’s food chain. The problem is that bats can be carriers of diseases such as rabies and histoplasmosis, a fungal infection contracted via spores from bat droppings. Histoplasmosis is particularly dangerous for children and people with compromised immune systems.
How Do You Know if Bats Have Moved In?
• Bats can enter your home through an opening as small as 1/4-inch.
• Bats are notoriously nocturnal. Scratching sounds and high-pitched squeaking at night are strong clues that bats are present.
• Bat droppings are greasy and dark-colored. The side of the house that contains the bats’ entry point may be stained with droppings from their comings and goings.
• When searching for bats or bat droppings, be sure to wear a face mask. Avoid handling any bats you might find. Live ones may bite, and dead ones can still transmit disease.
Contact Us for Effective Bluffton Bat Pest Control
Our licensed staff members have completed an 18-month Pest Control Technology course from Purdue University, making them uniquely qualified to handle Bluffton bat pest control. Visit our website and receive 10 percent off your initial bat exclusion treatment.
