Do Bats Need Echolocation to Survive?

It is a common misconception that bats are blind and must use their echolocating abilities to navigate around at night, and basically survive in general. Although there is some truth in echolocation abetting navigation, however, bats are not blind and can see just fine. Even non-echolocating bats in the Megachiroptera suborder have pronounced visual cortex that give them great sight and depth perception. Although bats are not blind, echolocation is a vital resource for microbats, and provides them with benefits that sustain their lives.

Continue reading to learn more about bat echolocation.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control
Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Bats and Echolocation

Echolocation is also referred to as “biosonar”, and is a utilized by bats in the Microchiroptera suborder, also known as “microbats.” It is a built-in biological system that works by measuring the returning echoes of emitted signals that bounce off surrounding objects. Echolocation is made possible through vocalizations that are produced by the larynx of microbats, but released through mouth and nostrils. There are a few species of Rousettus in the megabat suborder that use a similar sonar system to microbats, but in contrast to producing sounds in the larynx, they produce sounds by clicking their tongues. See our blog, “The Basic Principles of Echolocation in Bats” to learn more.

How it Echolocating Works

When bats use echolocation, they emit signals in ultrasonic pulses over 15 kilohertz which then travel through the air and bounce off of surrounding objects. Bats analyze the returning sounds to identify the objects and assess the distance between them. The type of signals and sounds emitted by echolocating bats differ among species in many aspects, including frequency, length of call, intensity, and degree of modulations. Many animals aside from bats use this type of built-in sonar system, including species of dolphins, porpoises, toothed whales, Killer whales, dwarf sperm whales, shrews, and some species of bird.

The Purpose of Echolocation

Bats can see, but echolocation gives them a superior advantage when it comes to hunting and diving for prey at night. Bats are insectivorous, which means they primarily eat insects that are small and fact, like moths, flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and more. With echolocating abilities, they can more accurately dart, dive, and dash for their prey when it’s dark. It also helps them navigate their way around dark caves and roosting areas. Think about it from this perspective: You can see just fine, but you can’t see very well at night. Bats are the same way, but they have a built-in sonar system that makes up for this disadvantage!

Nuisance Bat Problems?

Bats are an incredible mammal, and offer numerous benefits to our surrounding environment and ecosystems. However, if you are experiencing nuisance bat problems, contact a Kentucky bat removal and control company for safe and humane service.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional Louisville bat removal and control you can trust. We are DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control professionals with more than two decades of experience working with bats. We offer residential and commercial abatement services, including minor attic restorations for bat damages. Request a free estimate, today.

How to Hire a Reputable Bat Removal Company

As soon as you are aware of a bat infestation problem in your home, you should immediately begin looking for a solution. The first place to start would be hiring a professional to remove bats from your home and prevent them from coming back. How do you know which company to trust? Read on to learn what to expect from a reliable bat exclusion company, and signs to avoid when interviewing each business.

Bat Control Contractors

There are certain qualities and services to expect from a reputable bat control company. These services and qualities will speak for the integrity of the business. First, a dependable and trustworthy bat exclusion company should be listed as an accredited member of the BBB, which stands for the Better Business Bureau. This marks them as a reliable and recognized company.

The next quality to look for is experience. Be sure to inquire about their business’s longevity and specialties. What do they specialize in? How long have they been in business? You don’t want to hire a pest control company that doesn’t particularly specialize in bat exclusion. The company of your choice should specialize in bat control and retain the proper equipment and industry knowledge to remove bats and prevent them from coming back. Exterminators that claim they can “remove anything” often use improper equipment and harmful chemicals to kill or catch bats. This is not the right, or safe, approach to bat removal; and bats should never be exterminated because they are assets to our environment and amazing mammals. They just don’t belong in our homes!

Never be afraid to ask about a company’s equipment and practices they use to carry out their services. It is important to know what kind of machines and tools will be used inside your home, as well as, how equipped they are to even do the job correctly. Inquire about their methods and theories on bat removal, if they use a bat trap (which should never be the case), and how they inspect for bat colonies and infestations. This is information you have every right to know before giving your money away.

A great quality to explore in a bat exclusion company is references. Any professional company should have multiple references, testimonials, fan pages, or other sources of customer reviews to prove their merit. Be sure to investigate all these avenues before deciding on a company to trust.

Bat Removal and Control in Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky. Our wildlife rescue contractors use the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to safely remove bats and facilitate effective bat prevention. We never harm or kill bats, and have been a fully insured company, as well as, A+ Accredited BBB members, for more than 20 years. If you suspect you have a bat problem in your home or office, call us right away at 502-553-7622 for Louisville bat removal and control you can trust.

Where Do Bats Live?

Bats are interesting mammals that have interesting characteristics and behaviors. Bats are fascinating animals which explains why people have so many great questions about these swift creatures. One popular question about bats is where they live and how they choose their homes in the wild. Continue reading and we’ll discuss these bat related questions a little more.

Bats Reside in Various Places

There are many different species of bats found all over the world. There are possibly even hundreds of undiscovered species of bats out there right now! Among all these species are thousands of different characteristics and styles of living, mating, feeding, and of course, dwelling. Depending on the region in which the bat comes from, determines the home it generally makes for itself. Before identifying specific places bats can be found dwelling within, let’s first acknowledge the type of home all bats prefer.

Bats like dark, remote, narrow, and warm places to sleep, nest, and breed their young. This means bats can be found in several different settings. Bats are typically known to live in caves, which is true; but not all bats live in caves. Hollowed out trees, large rock crevices, cliff sides, and residential properties are all common choices for bats to make homes in. Barns, garages, attics, crawl spaces, roof tops, and even dumpsters are all places bats are commonly found. They can even be found inside a home’s siding and eaves.

Bats look big when they are flying in the sky, but they are actually very tiny. They can easily find their way into our homes and commercial properties in search of shelter. If this ever happens, contact a professional bat removal company for fast and effective assistance.

To learn more about bats and general bat information, call our Louisville KY Bat Removal Specialists today! We are DNR licensed and insured with over 25 years of experience in the bat control industry. We offer free advice, estimates, inspections, and more. Call us at 502-553-7622 for a free estimate on bat control and removal services in Louisville, Kentucky anytime!