Tag Archives: Bats and Rabies

Common Symptoms of a Rabid Bat

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Do you have bats near your property? If you do, and you also have outdoor pets or children, it is wise to learn how to protect them from exposure to deadly bat diseases, like Rabies. Continue reading to learn what a rabid bat will look like and how they will behave.

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

Facts About the Rabies Virus

Bats, much like all other mammals, are prone to catching the Rabies virus. Rabies is one of the scariest illnesses because it is one of the deadliest. In fact, it is fatal for pets if they have not been vaccinated, and it is fatal for humans that do not seek treatment in time. Once neurological symptoms develop, there is no cure for Rabies. Death usually occurs within 2 to 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

Rabies is transmitted via saliva and neural tissues. If a rabid bat’s saliva enters the nose, mouth, eyes, or skin tissue, the Rabies virus can be transferred. Bites are the most common method of transmission. In the case of bats, they will only bite if they are cornered, provoked, or ill. This is why dogs and cats are among the most common victims in the United States. Their curiosity can provoke a bat into self-defense mode, thus resulting in an attack or bite.

If a human is bit by a bat, it is necessary to capture the bat and have its brain tissue tested for the virus. If the test is negative, the person is in the clear. If the test is positive, the person must go through a series of vaccinations. If a person has been already vaccinated for Rabies previously, they will receive an additional two shots around the wound site. If the person has never been vaccinated for Rabies, they will be administered the Human Rabies Immunoglobin antibody to the inside of the wound, followed by five additional shots in the surrounding muscle.

What to Do if You Find a Bat

Bats are known carriers of the Rabies virus, but that does not mean they are all rabid. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most bats DO NOT have rabies. Furthermore, a rabid bat is not always detectable. The only true way to confirm that a bat has Rabies is to have it tested in a laboratory. On the other hand, there are sometimes visible signs of the infection. If you see a bat out during the day, looking confused, or wandering around on the ground, it could be a sign that they are rabid. Additional signs include aggression, disorientation, difficulty flying, blank staring, and paralysis.

Vaccines for Pets

Vaccines and animal control are incredibly important and should be encouraged in everyone. Always get your pets vaccinated every year. Also, people that are at a higher risk of Rabies exposure should get vaccinated as well, such as miners, wildlife rehabilitators, spelunkers, and those who live in areas with frequent bat activity. This is especially important for children and elderly folks.

If you have a lot of bat activity near your home or building, it is wise to have a licensed bat removal and control company inspect your property to ensure it is safe and protection from potential infestations and structural damages. Having this level of protection will reduce the likelihood bat encounter, thus protecting your family, your guests, and yourself.

Where Can I Find Safe Bat Control in Louisville?

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

The Reality Among Bats and Rabies

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Bats are stereotyped as rabies-infested creatures that attack humans and pass along disease and illnesses. These stereotypes are brought-on by movies, books, and old wives tales. In reality, bat populations are not nearly as infested with rabies as the general human population is led to believe. For more information about bats and rabies, continue reading and learn a little about bat removal and control.

Bat Rabies

Bat colonies make up more than a fourth of the world’s mammal population. Within that population, less than two percent are actually infected with rabies. The record shows that less than 11 people in the past fifty years have contracted rabies from a bat. With this said, bats do not have to be seen as an aggressive threat; however, bats can still be dangerous.

Bats are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night and sleep during daylight hours. When a bat is seen during the day, this is usually a sign that the animal is ill and may very well be infected with either rabies, or another virus. Bats will not usually attack if they’re sick, but if approached, they can lunge, scratch, or bite the instigator. Signs of an ill bat can be irregular flight patterns, lying flat on the ground, or attempting flight but failing. If any of these signs are exhibited during daytime hours, it can mean the bat is carrying a disease or sickness, and has fallen ill.

The Pro’s to Having Bats Around

Although bats have a bad reputation due to the potential diseases they can pass along, they are helpful mammals that should be appreciated. One reason to be grateful is that a bat can consume almost a third of its body weight in insects each night. This means, fewer mosquitoes are biting us at our cookouts and spiders are not finding their way into our homes. Having a bat colony living near your home is harmless because they eat so many insects and fertilize our gardens and lawns with their guano. As long as bats are not using our homes and rooftops to nest, they are advantageous and busy neighbors to have in a residential and commercial community.

Bat Control and Removal

If you discover that bats are finding their way into your home and using your property as a breeding and feeding spot, then be sure to act immediately and call a professional in the bat control industry. If you allow a bat infestation to grow, it can cause irrefutable structural damage and costly repairs. By calling a professional right away, you can avoid high repair and removal costs.

Louisville Bat Removal is a professional bat control company in Kentucky that is licensed and insured with over 15 years of experience in the animal control industry. Our licensed and insured bat control technicians use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest bat removal technologies to quickly remove bats and prevent them from returning again. We offer a wide variety of bat control services other than removal; from guano cleanup to structural damage restoration and repairs. We are even insurance company compatible! We also provide free estimates, DIY advice, and more. Visit our website at http://www.batremovallouisvilleky.com/get-rid-of-bats-louisville-ky.php or call 502-553-7622 to speak with a live bat removal technician about how to get rid of bats in your home or office. Affordable and effective bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky is only a phone call away!