Warm summer nights mean that you might see a bat or two flying around your yard. While these mammals aren’t a problem when they’re outdoors, you might end up with a bat problem if they get inside your home. If this happens, you’ll need professional Hilton Head pest control to safely remove them. In the meantime, learn more about these bats with the following interesting facts:
Bats Are Clean Creatures
You might think that bats are dirty, since they have a resemblance to rats and other rodents. However, these critters aren’t rodents, and they’re good about staying as clean as possible. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about their roosting areas. Bats tend to drop their urine and guano in these areas, which can cause a strong, unpleasant odor. This might not be an issue outside, but these messes can be a big problem if bats are living inside your attic or another part of your home.
Big Brown Bats Aren’t Big
Bats that are common in SC include big brown bats and little brown bats. Despite their name, big brown bats really aren’t that large. They only weight about a half ounce when they’re fully grown. Their name comes from their wider wingspan of 11 to 13 inches, which gives them a larger appearance overall. Little brown bats and big brown bats are among the more common bat species that make their home inside residential buildings.
SC Has No Vampire Bats
Some people fear vampire bats, which are bats found in South America and Central America that feed on blood. Bats found in SC only feed on insects. This diet makes them a beneficial part of the local ecosystem, since they keep mosquito populations and other insect pest populations down.
Bats Are Not Aggressive
Bats might seem aggressive if they fly toward people. However, bats usually keep their distance from humans. If they do swoop or fly close to people, it’s typically due to insects that are around. Bats use echolocation to find mosquitoes and other bugs, and these insects are usually drawn toward people. Bats won’t attack or bite you unless you make them feel threatened. While it’s possible that they carry rabies, there is a low occurrence of this disease among bats overall.
Bats Aren’t Blind
The saying “blind as a bat” isn’t an accurate one. Bats aren’t blind, but they do rely on other senses in order to detect bugs for their nighttime meals. They send out signals using echolocation that help them navigate and find insects to eat. You’re also highly unlikely to have a bat get tangled in your hair if you see them flying around outside or even inside your home.
Bats Shouldn’t Be Handled
Even though bats aren’t aggressive and rarely have rabies, you should avoid handling them if you find them inside or outside your home. Bats are still wild animals, and they can bite if they’re scared or alarmed. Don’t pick up bats to remove them from your home if they have found their way inside. Instead, let professional Hilton Head pest control experts do this for you. Experts know how to safely get bats out of SC homes, so they can be relocated safely away.
Bat Prevention
You can lower your risk of having bats in your home by closing up spaces they can use for entry, such as gaps in your roof. Seal these openings up, and bats will have a harder time finding a way to get inside your home.
If bats have made their way into your home, contact Island Pest Control for help. Our team of highly skilled technicians can provide you with dependable Hilton Head pest control that gets these animals out of your home.
