Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Bats are misperceived by most. What is typically thought of as a pest, is actually a mammal with a vital role in our surrounding environments. Bats should be protected and preserved to the best of our abilities, and for many important reasons. Unfortunately, a disease known as White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is affecting millions of bats all across the country, and has resulted in a devastating decline in bat populations. Continue reading to learn why you should care about this fatal bat disease.

White Nose Syndrome (WNS)

White Nose Syndrome was first discovered in 2007 in the Northeastern parts of the United States, and has continued to spread throughout the continent. More than 25 states have been infected by this disease since 2008, as well as, a handful of Canadian provinces. Some common species that have suffered a significant impact in population density include the Little Brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), the Northern Long-Eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), the Virginia Big-Eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus), the Gray bat (Myotis grisescens), and the Indiana bat (Myotis Soladis).

So What is WNS?

It is a fungal disease that seems to solely target cave-dwelling, hibernating bat species. It appears in the form of a white film around the muzzles, ears, and wings of bats. Although it looks unsuspecting, it causes major problems for bats. It comes from the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which inhabits the skin of a bat. It is a “psychrophilic” fungus, meaning it prefers cold, damp environments (usually between 39 and 59 °F), where it thrives best. Perhaps this is why cave bats are common victims.

White Nose Syndrome affects bats negatively by disrupting torpor (temporary hibernation), thus causing changes in their behavior that is not favorable for their lifestyle. Primarily, it makes bats more active than normal, causing them to burn excessive calories and lose body fat. And without proper body fat stores, they cannot survive the winter season.

Why Care?

Bats serve a vital ecological importance. The role they play in insect control is massively significant to our local economies, health, comfort, and more. A single bat can consume more than 1,000 insects in just one night. Now keep in mind that bats are not solitary mammals. They live in colonies that can be in the hundreds or thousands. That is an extensive amount of insect extermination for a town!

The amount of insects bats consume contribute to our healthy crops, which help farmers and more earn money; money that is then distributed back into the local economy, keeping everyone happy! Furthermore, their contribution to pest management keeps our backyards and outdoor activity areas free of pesky mosquitoes and other biting insects, which can spread diseases or cause illness.

Curing the Disease

There is no cure or treatment for White-Nose Syndrome. However, researchers, biologists, and scientists all over the world are working on managing the spread of the disease and discovering a means to an end. Although there is no way to cure this disease, there are many ways to continue protecting bat populations. Do you part by vowing to never touch, trap, harm, or kill a bat under any circumstances.

If You Find Bats On Your Property…

Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional Louisville bat removal and control you can trust. We are DNR licensed wildlife control contractors who provide residential and commercial bat removal services at competitive prices. Whether you have one bat or an entire colony, we are fully equipped to manage any job regardless of size or scope. Request a free estimate or advice, anytime.

Bat Preservation

Bats are incredibly important parts of our surrounding eco-system. They are very fascinating because they are the only mammals that can truly fly. Furthermore, they consume more than 1000 insects in just one night, which means you can enjoy your outdoor activities without going to bed with a dozen bug bites. And although we do not want them in our homes and buildings, we do want them to stick around. It is important to protect the well-being of bats in order to preserve their colonies and habitats. For these reasons and more, professional bat abatement companies use safe and humane strategies for capturing and releasing nuisance bats.

Not only do professional bat abatement technicians use non-lethal, non-toxic products and techniques, they also use live bat traps. These devices to not harm or kill bats, and instead, are bedded and keeps them safe until they are retrieved by the bat control technician. For bats that are not caught using a trap, specialized non-harmful equipment is used to handle them, including gloves, extendable pole and cloths for picking and wrapping them up. They also use 1cc syringes loaded with sodium lactate solution to keep bats hydrated after capture.

Once captured in a live trap, bats are safely and gently transported to a specialized rehabilitation facility where they undergo Rabies screenings. If bats are in a sleepy or cold state, they are given time to warm up and awaken before testing to ease their comfort. If they are Rabies-free, they are thoroughly inspected for injuries, which are properly treated upon discovery.

After screening, captured bats are cared for with meal worms, water, and puppy formula (for babies) until they are transported to a faraway location where they will be reintroduced into the wild. These locations have been designated as approved wildlife habitats for bats, and are far enough away that the bats will not be a burden to municipal and residential areas ever again.

Bat Removal in Louisville, Kentucky

Tag Archives: Bat Preservation

Why Should We Care About White Nose Syndrome in Bats?