Denver's Best Bat Removal

Health Hazards from Bats in Attic

It is important to understand that bats are nocturnal creatures. They spend most of the daytime roosting. Sometimes, they can be territorial of their roosting spot once it has been established. Because of the change in their natural habitats and the expansion of human cities, bats have developed a habit of roosting in attics. As with any invasion of a wild animal, bats come with their own health hazards.

Creatures of Habit

When bats roost in the same place for many years, there can be an odor that has built up from their droppings and urine. Guano can pile up and become a breeding ground for various bacteria and a fungus that can cause lung disease. If the colony is larger, their daytime movements can be heard, such as scratching, rustling, and fluttering sounds.

Guano

Bat guano is unclean. It is filled with various insect parts, bacteria, and fungal spores. It is produced as a sort of mini-rocket shape that in grass and other outdoor areas is a great fertilizer. If collected indoors, however, it can become an eroding mess. Histoplasmosis, a lung disease, can be caused by aerosolizing dried guano. This can happen when a homeowner decides to sweep up what he or she assumes to be rodent droppings, as bat guano can appear that way. It can also occur if the guano is otherwise disturbed causing dust to rise.

Urine

Bat urine is highly acidic. Once it oxidizes, it crystallizes. Most people think of acid as a liquid, but the crystals of urine from bats are extremely corrosive and can cause structural damage to a building. It can break down wood and fabric. It can even etch metal and marble surfaces. The collection of urine and guano combined can have a severe staining effect on the ceiling beneath the attic as well as the walls.

Parasites

Bats can carry mites, fleas, and ticks. Often, these parasites die when the bat host does, but in large enough quantities, they can make their way into places like food storage and commonly used surfaces. This can cause some chaos and damage while excluding the bat population because you will then need to deal with an insect infestation as well.

Diseases

Although it has been highly uncommon for a human to contract rabies from a bat, it is still possible. The frequency of occurrence is extremely low and many more cases of animal-contracted rabies occur from dogs. That does not exclude bats from passing rabies amongst themselves. A bat with rabies will act abnormally, such as flying during the daytime, landing on the ground, and clicking and squeaking louder than they need to. It is important to NEVER handle a rabid bat bare-handed. Use a tool like a shovel or a wide-mouth container and cardboard to capture it.

Scavengers

Another possible problem is when a bat is dying and does so in your home. In the attic, the bacteria from guano and urine from the other bats in the colony may speed up decomposition. Then you are simply left with a rotting stench in the building. However, if a bat dies in the wall, it can lead to multiple issues. The rotting body can attract scavenger animals and other insects into your home. Creatures like beetles and cockroaches can begin an infestation rather quickly.

Your First Step

One of the easiest things you can do for your home is to take an initiative. Call professional wildlife experts and cleaning services that are certified for bats in your state or county for advice on how to handle a possible bat infestation. With their direction, you can proceed to perform an exclusion yourself or hire a service to do the work for you.

Legalities

In the United States, killing a bat or causing its death is illegal. There are several species on the endangered species list and professionals are required to carry a certification specifically to handle bat-related issues. You still have plenty of options when dealing with bats in your attic and cleaning up to prevent hazards from ruining your home. Investigate setting up proper bat houses in locations that are more appropriate and reduce the hazards for you and your family. Bats are important to the ecosystem and while we do not want to share a home, we do not want to leave them without one.