Are Bat Mites and Bed Bugs the Same?

People all across the country have experienced a bug infestation of some kind. Whether its mosquitoes, ants, gnats, or fleas, we have all been there at least once in our lives. Out of all of the insects that we encounter in our lifetime, bat mites are one we would commonly overlook. No one ever talks about bat mites, mostly because they are often times mistaken for bed bugs

Continue below to learn the similarities and differences between the two insects, as well as, how to permanently get rid of bat mites in your home.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622
A typical bat mite.

Bed Bugs Versus Bat Mites

Most people have heard stories of bed bug infestations, and many have even experienced it for themselves. The usual signs include itching, red bumps and bites, and minuscule bugs in your linens and bed sheets. To get rid of them, people have used exterminators, aerosol sprays, and insecticide treatments to kill and remove the “bed bug” problem.  What some find, is that the infestation eventually comes back.

This is most likely because they treatment administered wasn’t strong enough, or the infestation isn’t bed bugs at all, its bat mites. Bat mites behave very similar to bed bugs. They are tiny parasitic insects that cling to a host and can live up to one year if the climate is agreeable. They live sustainably in dark and narrow areas, just like bats, which is why bats are their favorite hosts.

How to Get Rid of Bat Mites

⚠ No matter how many times your house is fumigated, disinfected, and treated, BAT MITES WILL NEVER GO AWAY unless you get rid of the bats, first!

Standard extermination services are not the correct treatment for bat mites. So long as their host remains, bat mites will continue to breed and reproduce at an exponential rates. Once the bat colonies are cleared from the area and proper preventative maintenance is implemented to ensure there will be no more future bat break-ins, you are on your way to a pest-free living space. This is when you can begin to properly clean and sanitize the area for bat mites. Keep in mind that bats can also carry and transmit fleas, lice, and ticks.

Get Help With Bat Removal and Cleanup in Louisville

Call 553-502-7622 for professional bat removal and bat cleanup insurance claim work in Louisville, Kentucky. We are DNR licensed bat removal contractors that offer safe and non-lethal, 24 hour bat extraction and exclusion services for residential and commercial properties. We also provide bat cleanup and minor attic restorations for bat damages too. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Which Ailments Can a Person Contract From a Bat?

Wild bats are a highly beneficial species to have as a part of our ecosystem. They are magnificent creatures and the only mammals capable of true flight. They are truly amazing. On the other hand, bats, just like any other wild animal, can carry diseases that can cause illness in humans and other animals.

Continue reading to learn about some common diseases carried by bats, how you can contract them, and how to protect yourself from them.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622

⚠ Bat Mites

The first most common illness contracted from a bat is bat mites. These are little insects that sort of resemble tiny fleas. They produce similar symptoms to lice, except the bats typically attack the surface of the skin rather than the scalp. Bat mites are often times confused with bed bugs too. They bite the skin and leave behind a red bumpy rash that itches persistently. There is no need to worry if you or a family member has contracted bat bites; although unpleasant, it is completely curable. Contact a doctor and a bat exclusion professional to get rid of the problem altogether.

⚠ Rabies

Rabies is the most associated illness with bats. The truth is, many other animals carry the rabies virus too, but so can bats. To contract rabies from a bat, a person or pet would have to be bitten by them, ingest their saliva, or come into contact with their waste matter. These are the areas that contain the rabies virus. Be sure to seek out immediate medical attention if you are ever bitten or scratched by a bat.

⚠ Histoplasmosis

Another common illness that a person can contract from a wild bat is Histoplasmosis. This is a disease that attacks the respiratory system, causing difficult breathing, coughing, and other discomforts. Histoplasmosis comes from the spores that grow on bat guano. If a home has a bat colony infestation, they are at risk for this illness. The spores are invisible and move through the air, being breathed in without notice. A licensed Louisville bat removal specialist will need to come in to inspect, remove bats, clean, treat, and possible repair the area where the bats were dwelling.

Louisville Bat Removal You Can Trust

Louisville Bat Removal Kentucky

Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Call Louisville Bat Removal at 502-553-7622 for bat control service in Kentucky. Our bat removal and control technicians are highly trained and experienced to carry out any degree of bat control, from removing one bat, to an entire structural repair project. We also offer services to protect your home and property from bat damages, as well as, provide minor restorations for bat damages. Request a free estimate, today.

Bat Diseases

Bats can be dangerous to pets and humans. One of the main reasons why this is true has to do with the illnesses and infections that bats can pass along. Bats should be avoided at all costs in order to prevent becoming infected with a harmful disease. Continue reading to learn about the different types of bat diseases and why they are such a threat.

Rabies

This disease is the most common illness associated with bats; especially in Kentucky. Not all bats carry rabies, but it is very common for them to be carriers of the disease. This means, no matter what, assume all bats have rabies in the wild. It is never a good idea to take a chance. Rabies has to be treated with a series of shots and injections to prevent further harm. Pets are common victims of bat bites and attacks, and should be given rabies vaccinations at the time of adoption.

Bat Mites

Much less serious than rabies, but still extremely unpleasant, is bat mites. Many people often mistake a case of bat mites for a case of bed bugs. Both infestations produce the same symptoms; itching, rash, small surface bumps. These mites are tiny little parasites that feed on bats. Treatments include aerosol bombs, insecticide treatments, and professional bat exclusion services.

Histoplasmosis

This is not a disease, but a fungus, that is bred by large accumulations of bat guano, or droppings. The spores can be inhaled and cause serious eye, lung, and other respiratory infections. If you suspect that your home or property has a bat infestation, you may have a Histoplasmosis problem as well. Have the entire vicinity inspected by a professional who retains proper equipment and training to accurately identify bat threats.

For more information about bat diseases, call Bat Removal Louisville at 502-553-7622. We are professional bat exclusion and removal technicians with decades of experience removing bats from residential and commercial properties in Kentucky. Visit our website at http://batremovallouisvilleky.com/bat-removal-louisville-ky.php for details about our bat control services in Louisville, KY.