Although bats are fascinating creatures, and a vital part of our eco-system, they also pose several health and safety risks. If you live in an area where bat activity is regular, or your property is located near woods and a body of water, it is in your best interest to have your home or business animal-proofed to ensure safety and security.

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about the dangers surrounding nuisance bats, as well as, how to get started on bat-proofing your property.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Do Bats Have Diseases?

One of the main reasons why bats are a safety and health risk is due to the fact that they are known carriers of several infectious diseases, as well as, pesky parasites like lice, ticks, fleas, and more. The most threatening and dangerous bat disease is Rabies, which is fatal 100% of the time. This is why pet vaccinations are so vital. Furthermore, bat guano can spread fungal spores that can cause serious eye, lung, and respiratory infections; one such condition is called Histoplasmosis.

Do Bats Bite?

Bats are wild animals, and most wild animals will use any means available to them for self-defense. This means that the answer to this question is yes; however, it is not common for a wild bat to attack for no apparent reason. They are generally protecting their young, or they are provoked in some way or another. The best way to avoid a bat bite is to refrain from touching, trapping, harming, or killing a bat under any circumstances. In the case that you endure a bat bite, it is important to call your doctor immediately.

Can Bat Guano Hurt Me?

Bat guano and bat droppings can be unsafe for humans, especially children. In bat guano, a fungus called Histoplasmosis Capsulatum grows and gives off toxic spores that we inhale in the air. Although not contagious, complications from bat guano can be easily and unknowingly contracted through inhaling spores in the air of an infested home or building. One such complication is an infectious lung disease called Histoplasmosis, also known as Spelunker’s Lung, Cave Disease, Ohio Valley Disease, Reticuloendotheliosis, and Darling’s Disease.

Will Bats Damage Property?

Bats will damage a property extensively, and the damage will only continue to accrue as long as the bats reside within the area. Common bat damages include structural damage to attics, crawl spaces, garages, siding, roofs, ceilings, and walls. Additional damages include soiled surfaces from urine and droppings, pest outbreaks (i.e. lice, mites, etc.), and lingering odors. Bat damages must be addressed immediately, otherwise, you will face a plethora of health and safety hazards, and ultimately, a reduction in property value.

What Do I Do If I Find a Bat?

Never under any circumstances attempt to touch, trap, provoke, or harm a bat. Whether you find a bat in your house or stranded on your property, the first step is to contact a local Kentucky Bat Removal and Control Company that provides humane and non-lethal bat abatement services. They can give you instructions on what to do while you wait for them to arrive, or even give you some over-the-phone instruction on how to give them certain information about the situation.

Who Can I Call for 24 Hour Bat Removal and Control in Kentucky?

Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Call 502-553-7622 for Louisville bat removal and control you can trust. We are DNR licensed and insured bat control contractors who use safe, non-lethal methods of extraction and exclusion. We serve both residential and commercial clients, and at the most competitive prices in town. Emergency 24 hour service is also available. Request a free estimate, today.

Infectious Bat Diseases

There are various infectious diseases that bats can contract or carry, which are all hazardous to human and pet immune systems. Bats are known to be carriers of the Rabies virus, Leptospirosis, and even Salmonella. All of these infections can be transferred, transmitted, and passed along to humans and pets; and they are all potentially fatal if left untreated.

Bats can also transmit less serious, but equally frustrating, parasitic conditions, such as lice, bat mites, ticks, fleas, and more. Histoplasmosis is a bit different from the infectious diseases just mentioned since it is not directly contracted by a bat. Instead, Histoplasmosis is indirectly spread by bats through by airborne fungal spores that grow on bat droppings, also known as guano.

Histoplasmosis in Detail

Histoplasmosis is referred to by many names, such as: Spelunker’s Lung, Cave Disease, Darling’s Disease, or scientifically, Reticuloendotheliosis. It is an infectious disease that is contracted by over exposure to bat guano. There is a fungus that grows in guano called Histoplasmosis Capsulatum. The inhalation of these spores within the guano causes flu-like symptoms, like coughing and difficulty breathing. It is not a contagious infection but can be easily contracted if precaution is not taken.

Anyone, child or adult, can contract Histoplasmosis. It is rare for just anyone to get the disease because the fungus is only found in dark, warm areas that bat guano is found. So the more common people to fall victim to the illness are spelunkers, chimney cleaners, cave miners, and people that frequent attics and crawl spaces often.

Because they work in areas that bats may dwell in, they are at risk to inhaling the infection causing spores and falling ill. It is not typically fatal unless a person has severe and long term health complications, such as the elderly. Otherwise, if treated at the first signs of illness, it is no more dangerous than the common cold. In fact, in most cases, it just goes away on its own.

Bat Removal in Louisville, Kentucky

Monthly Archives: October 2018

Learn About Bat Dangers With These FAQS