Common Symptoms of a Rabid Bat

Posted on February 24, 2020 by admin

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 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.

Why Homeowners Put Up Bat Houses

Posted on January 13, 2020 by admin

Bat houses are specially constructed shelters that give bats a place to roost in between hunting. If you are wondering why anyone would want to put up bat houses on their property, continue reading to find out the top reasons for incorporating them.

Bats are Ecologically Important

Although bats have a negative stigma as being diseased-ridden rodents that will attack you, the reality is that bats are amazing and graciously-beneficial creatures. In fact, they are mammals, and the only mammalian species capable of flying. Sure, some animals soar, float, or drift on wind currents; but bats actually fly like a bird. Additionally, bats serve a highly-critical ecological purpose, and even contribute to the well-being of our local economies. Here’s how:

🦗 Natural Pest Control – A single bat can consume more than their body weight in insects, in just one night! That averages out to be around 1,000 or more flying mosquitos, gnats, flies, and other insects. Not only does this free and effective pest control help promote more comfortable outdoor environments, it protects crops from pest damage, which in turn helps farmers earn more, and also stimulates the economy.

🌼 Pollination – Bats are major contributors to seasonal pollination, which in turn supports and stimulates our local Eco-systems, but also, improves our crops, forests, woodlands, and gardens. They accomplish this amazing feat by distributing pollen and other types of rich organic matter to meadows, forests, woodlands, fields, farms, and more.

💱 Economy Boosters – With the combination of pest control and pollination, farmers reap exceptional benefits from bats by growing bigger, healthier crops. Healthier, improved crops deliver profits to farmers and to the vendors that sell their crops. This money goes back into the economy, and back into farming, creating a cycle of economic stimulation. It also creates jobs since more help is needed to farm and distribute annual crops.

Bat House Basics

If you wish to safely support the local bat populations, installing a bat house on your property is an excellent contribution. See our blog, “Instructions For Installing a Bat House” to learn what you need to know about procuring a bat house and getting started. You can also benefit from our blog, “Can I Keep a Bat House Up in Winter?” to review the basics surrounding bat house care and maintenance.

It is important to install bat houses carefully, and to follow all best practices for choosing a type of house and a location. Bats can be preyed upon, so you should never hang a bat house on a tree or near a copse of trees. Furthermore, if they get too close, bats can turn into a messy, costly nuisance, which is why you should also never hang a bat house to close to yours.

Nuisance Bat Removal and Control for Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 to speak a licensed professional regarding bat removal services in Louisville, Kentucky. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife control experts also offer a wide range of residential and commercial bat cleanup and damage restoration services , including decontamination, fumigation, structural damage repair, preventative maintenance, post checkups, and more. We may also be able to provide bat damage insurance claim work depending on your particular policy and carrier.

3 Potentially Deadly Diseases Caused By Bats

Posted on December 20, 2019 by admin

Nuisance bats are nuisances for very good, and frightening, reasons. For one, they are highly destructive, and can cause extensive structural damages to homes, buildings, barns, and more. These damages are not only tedious to reverse, but also very costly. However, the threat of structural damage is not the key reason why bats are not something you want around your property. The biggest threat they pose is disease and illness. Bats are common carriers of several infectious and parasitic diseases, some of which are potentially deadly to both people and pets.

Continue reading to learn more about bat diseases and safety threats, including the top 3 diseases that can be fatal.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Rabies Virus

The most widely known disease associated with bats is the rabies virus. Rabies is a very serious illness that is easily spread through bodily fluids, like urine or saliva. There is no cure or treatment for Rabies once it is contracted, making it 100% fatal. For this reason, pet vaccinations are crucial. In fact, the Kentucky Administrative Code statute states that all dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated at 4 months of age, and then re-vaccinated annually by a licensed and accredited veterinarian. If a bat were to bite a person, it is possible for that person to contract the Rabies virus. In this case, they would require immediate medical attention involving a series of injections, medications, and treatments. But before the vaccine was invented in the 1900’s, all cases of rabies in humans were fatal.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease that is contracted as a result of being exposure to bat droppings (guano) over a long period of time. A fungus that grows in guano called Histoplasmosis Capsulatum produces spores will travel through ductwork and into the living or trafficked areas of a property, thus exposing people and pets without any knowledge. The inhalation of these spores can cause flu-like symptoms, such as coughing and difficulty breathing. Fortunately, there is a treatment for Histoplasmosis, as well as vaccines for pets. However, the disease can turn deadly for those with existing medical conditions or suppressed immune systems, as well as for infants and elderly folk.

Fibrosing Mediastinitus

If a person is ill with Histoplasmosis, they may experience a very rare complication of the disease called Fibrosing Mediastinitus. In contrast to the symptoms of Histoplasmosis, Fibrosing Mediastinitus will cause serious complications that can lead to death. The disease essentially constricts the heart and lungs from functioning. Without immediate treatment, it can be fatal. Although very rare, it is a terrible and painful disease for those infected.

Dealing With Nuisance Bats?

If you suspect you have issues with bats, or a bat infestation in the attic or other area of your home, contact our DNR licensed and insured professionals at 553-502-7622 for safe and humane bat control service in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding counties. We have more than two decades of experience working with bats and offer both residential and commercial bat removal and control services, including minor attic restorations for bat damages. Request a free estimate, today.

The Safest Way to Deal With Bats Around Your House

Posted on September 26, 2019 by admin

If you live near a large body of water, such as a flowing creek, river, pond, or lake, chances are, you also live near trees and other types of foliage. With all of these factors in place, it is common to have nuisance wildlife problems, especially bats. Although all animals like to stay near a reliable source of water, bats are very strict about this. So having bat activity around your house should not be a surprise if your property fits the above-mentioned landscaping.

So what can you do about a nuisance bat problem? The important part of getting rid of bats is to never do anything that will harm yourself, the bats, other wildlife, or the surrounding environment. What options does this leave you? Continue reading to learn the safest and fastest way to stop bats from coming around your house.

An Important Warning

There are two important warnings when it comes to bat control. First, keep in mind that bats are known carriers of several infectious diseases, such as Rabies. They can also spread parasites like lice, mites, and ticks. If you have pets, it is wise to ensure their vaccines are up to date after spotting bats around the house. Now, the second warning is about the law. Bats are actually vital to our surrounding ecosystems and even our economy, which is why they are protected under law.

For all of these reasons combined, you should NEVER attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a bat under any circumstances. Furthermore, do not keep a baby bat as a pet. See our blog, “How to Be Bat Friendly” to learn how to support local bat populations without jeopardizing safety or posing any risk to your home.

What To Do About Bats

The first step you should take if you want to reduce the amount of bat activity around your house is to make some environmental changes. This means removing or adjusting areas of your property that bats like, or are attracted to, such as log piles, hollowed trees, bird baths, and more. It also means repairing the exterior of your home to prevent bat intrusions. Have your siding and roofing inspected for vulnerabilities, as well as, your windows, doors, and foundation.

Once you have done your part, it might not be enough to fully control nuisance bat activity. In almost all cases, homeowners must rely on professional bat removal and control services for optimal results. Contact a DNR licensed and insured bat removal specialist for help dealing with nuisance bats around your house. They have the experience, permits, and resources to safely abate bat problems.

Where Can I Find Safe Bat Control in Louisville?

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 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.

How to Relocate a Bat

Posted on June 29, 2019 by admin

Handling a bat is never recommended. But sometimes, homeowners are left no choice but to intervene in moments of emergencies. If you have come across a bat in the house or other area of your property, and cannot wait for professional bat abatement services to arrive, it is important to understand how to safely handle and relocate a bat, for the sake of the bat’s protection, as well as your own.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about handling a bat, including Kentucky bat tampering and trapping laws that may concern your situation.

Bat in the House

If you have a bat in the house, you can try the escape and evade method. This involves opening all the windows and doors in the vicinity of the bat, while closing off all others, in order to encourage the bat to simply fly outside on its own. Be sure to separate everyone from the area of the bat, including pets.

Bat in the Attic

If you have a bat in the attic, try the escape and evade approach mentioned above. If you cannot access your attic well enough to open a window or door, you can also try bat abatement service. A professional bat control technician will inspect your property for the bat’s entrance, and then implement methods to make the bat leave and seal up the entry way.

Bat on the Ground

If you find a bat on the ground, whether it is a baby or injured, the best practice is to leave it alone and let nature take its course. However, if you want to relocate it, try using the shoe box method. Place an empty shoe box on top of the bat, put on a pair of heavy-duty work gloves, and then use a shovel or garden spade to gently scoop the bat up.

Next, relocate the bat to a farther-away habitat where it will not pose a threat to anyone. Furthermore, never attempt to rehabilitate an injured bat, nor keep it as a pet. Not only are there laws against this, as exotic animal domestication requires specific government permits and more, it also poses several health and safety threats to you, your family, and pets.

Mother Bats

Sometimes mother bats carry their pups on their backs, and sometimes, there are too many clung to them. In this case, a mother bat cannot take launch and fly. If you find a mother bat with babies clinging to her, your only approach should be to contact a local wildlife removal and control company for professional intervention. They have the proper resources to ensure the safety and rehabilitation of the bat family.

Dead Bat

If you find a dead bat, whether indoors or outside on your lawn, you can use the same shoe box method given for finding bats on the ground, minus the shoe box. Since the bat is dead, it is not going to attempt to escape, so you do not need to contain it. However, be sure to wear protective gloves and relocate the bat to a faraway area where it can safely decompose.

Kentucky Bat Removal Service

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.

Should I Be Threatened By the Presence of Bats?

Posted on May 28, 2019 by admin

Local bat populations serve a vital ecological importance, which in turn, provides us with several economic benefits as a society. However, when bats get too close, they can inadvertently become a nuisance. If you have notices an exponential presence of bat activity around your house or business, it is important to ensure your property is safeguarded against intrusion and safety hazards.

Continue reading to learn which types of risks nuisance bats pose to you and your property, as well as, how to get rid of them in accordance to local ordinances and best practices.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control Services — Bats should only be handled by licensed professionals.

Disease

The most important reason why you do not want bats too close to your property is the risk of disease. Not only are bats known carriers of the Rabies virus, which once contracted is 100% fatal, they can also possess and transmit several other types of diseases, health complications, and outbreaks. Such risks include Histoplasmosis, which is an upper respiratory disease contracted as a result of toxic spores that grow on bat guano. See our blog, “What is Histoplasmosis?” to learn more about this disease, including who it affects the most and how to prevention tips. Additional risks include lice, mites, ticks, fleas, and other parasites.

Structural Damage

Bats in the Kentucky regions are very small. So small in fact, most can squeeze themselves through an opening as little as 3/8ths of an inch, or .037 inches. To give you an idea of how small this is, consider a dime, which is around .053 inches thick. This means that the tiniest opening in window screens, siding, roof shingles, crumbling mortar, and more, can be an open door for bats to come inside and roost. Furthermore, bats are not solitary, so where there’s one, there’s typically handfuls more. Once inside, bats soil every surface with their droppings, which can result in stains, leaks, wood rot, and all types of costly structural damages.

How to Safely Get Rid of Bats

As mentioned before, bats are important ecologically, which is why they are also protected under law. It is illegal to trap, harm, or kill bats in Kentucky. For this reason, it is necessary to hire a licensed and insured wildlife abatement company that provides non-lethal bat removal services in your town. Coming across a dead, dying, or abandoned bat is also common if you have bats around your property, so you should know how to respond if it ever happens to you. See our blogs, “What to Do If You Find a Dead Bat” and “What To Do If You Find a Bat on the Ground” to be prepared.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control You Can Trust

Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate for Louisville bat removal and control, today. We offer a wide range of safe and humane bat removal and control services for both residential and commercial properties within Central Kentucky, at the most competitive prices in town. That means you can get affordable bat removal and control you can trust. It was over 30 years of experience under our belts, you can feel confident in our results.

Do Bats Live Near My House?

Posted on April 22, 2019 by admin

Are you concerned about nuisance bats? If so, there are plenty of precautions you can take to protect your assets from animal damage, as well as your loved ones from exposure to infectious diseases and injuries. But first, assess whether or not bats are actually a threat in your area. Chances are, there are local bat populations that exist within your community; however, whether or not they will actually affect your home or property largely depends on your environmental surroundings.

Continue reading to learn how to spot bat activity in and around your property, and what you can do to protect your home and loved ones from nuisance bats.

Environmental Factors

As mentioned, whether or not bats are indeed a possible threat depends on certain factors, namely environmental ones. You see, here in Kentucky, bats are insectivores, which means they eat a diet of insects, mostly flying sorts like gnats, flies, moths, and of course, mosquitoes. They also eat termites, beetles, and several others types of insects, but the flying bugs will easily give away a bat’s location.

Why? Well these insects typically group together in large swarms, which are very visible during dusk. And where do these bugs like to fly? Around water, like streams, creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers. So if your home is located near a body of water such as these, you can be sure there are bats living nearby that eat up all the swarming insects each night.

To see for yourself, go outside right before the sun sets, when the light is still bright, but receding. Then look above an area of water for a swarm of insects. Be patient, and wait for any signs of bats. If you see a bird-like animal swooping down and darting through the swarm of insects, you are witnessing a bat eating its dinner! They are actually the world’s greatest built-in pest control because a single bat can consume more than 1,000 mosquitoes in just one night! You can thank them for your comfortable backyards and picnic areas.

Want to learn other ways to spot bat activity in and around your house? See our blog, “Top 5 Indications That You Have a Bat Infestation” to develop a checklist that can be investigated for clues.

Safe and Humane Bat Control in Kentucky

How to Deal With Bats in the Attic

Posted on November 16, 2017 by admin

Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Bats can be a nuisance problem for home owners. Whether inside or out, bats cause structural damages and unpleasant messes and odors that can linger long after they have “flown the nest.” That is why it is critical to catch a bat infestation as early as possible before they cause a large amount of costly structural damages. Bats can cause home damages that result in costly repairs and renovations.

These damages only become worse as they are untreated overtime. Soiled drywall, clogged gutters, mold growth, torn attic insulation, ripped roof shingles, and frayed electrical wiring are all common damages caused by nuisance bats. If you have bats in the attic, or suspect you might have a bat problem on your hands, be sure to know what your options are and who to trust for accurate advice, information, and service.

Dangers of Bats

If you suspect that you might have bats in the attic, you can muster the courage to take a look for yourself. However, this is not exactly recommended. Bats are known carriers of several contagious and infectious diseases, and they are known to be aggressive if they are ill, provoked, threaten, or nursing their young. For these reasons and many more, the most effective solution for getting rid of bats and call a licensed Louisville bat removal company for emergency assistance.

Bat Removal, Control and Cleanup

Once a professional bat removal contractor has eliminated the colony from your attic, the job is only half way done. Bats leave behind a huge mess, even if only one or two. So be sure to discuss cleanup and sanitation options. Bat cleanup services eliminate and sanitize bat urine and droppings, as well as deodorize the space they occupied. Bat cleanup also commonly entails minor attic restorations and repairs. Minor restorations may include attic insulation replacement, drywall repair, and more.

Bat-proofing is another option you can select to further protect your home or property from experiencing another bat infestation problem. Preventative maintenance for nuisance bats includes comprehensive property inspections, roof repair, window and door sealing, and much more. Professional bat exclusionists might also suggest installing automatic outdoor lighting or sound machines to scare bats away. They might also encourage air sealing and roof shingle replacement services for enhanced home protection.

Bat Removal in Louisville Kentucky

Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Call 502-553-7622 if you have bats in the attic in Louisville, Kentucky. We are highly trained and DNR licensed bat removal and control experts who only use safe and humane methods to get rid of bats and prevent their return. Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate, today.

Bats Cause a Deadly Disease Called Fibrosing Mediastinitus

Posted on September 12, 2016 by admin

For many years, scientists and researchers have warned us about the dangers of bat guano. Bat droppings commonly grow a fungus called histoplasma Capsulatum that releases toxic, transmissible spores into the air. When breathed in, whether by humans or pets, theses fungal spores can cause a dangerous disease called Histoplasmosis. You may have heard of this lung disease by its other monikers, including Spelunker’s Lung, Cave Disease, Ohio Valley Disease, Reticuloendotheliosis,
and Darling’s Disease.

Mild exposure is not likely to cause the disease, as many of us are exposed to these spores at some point in our lives without even knowing it. But long-term exposure will cause Histoplasmosis, which comes with flu-like symptoms very similar to the common cold. Symptoms of this terrible lung disease include fever, coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. And although not contagious, without proper medical treatment, the disease will only continue to worsen and weaken its host.

Fortunately, there is a treatment for Histoplasmosis, as well as vaccines for pets. But we still can’t rest easy, because now we’ve discovered another bat disease we have to worry about, and it’s caused by Histoplasmosis. This disease is called Fibrosing Mediastinitus. Continue reading to learn more about Fibrosing Mediastinitus, and how to prevent exposure in your home.

Fibrosing Mediastinitus

When a person is ill with Histoplasmosis, they may experience a very rare complication of the disease called Fibrosing Mediastinitus. In contrast to the symptoms of Histoplasmosis, Fibrosing Mediastinitus will cause serious complications that can lead to death. The disease essentially constricts the heart and lungs from functioning. Without immediate treatment, it can be fatal. Although very rare, it is a terrible and painful disease for those infected.

If you have bats in or around your property, it is simply not worth the risk of catching any bat-related diseases like Histoplasmosis and Fibrosing Mediastinitus. Be sure to have a professional wildlife contractor inspect and treat your home for nuisance bats. They have the proper tools, training, and resources to provide safe and humane bat removal services at a fair price. Don’t risk it. Hire a bat removal company as soon as possible to get rid of bats in the attic or other areas of your home.

Louisville Bat Removal

Call 553-502-7622 for prompt and professional bat removal services in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding areas. We are DNR licensed bat removal contractors that offer safe and non-lethal bat extraction and exclusion services for residential and commercial properties. We also provide bat cleanup and minor attic restorations for bat damages too. Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate for Louisville bat removal and control, today.

Do You Think Bats Are Blind?

Posted on September 14, 2015 by admin

Who ever said they were “blind as a bat” has a lot of explaining to do! There are over 100 species of bat in the world and every single one can see fairly well. The truth is that bats are not blind at all; they just have different visual capacities than other animals. Because they are nocturnal, they use alternative senses as well to communicate and see at night. Continue reading to learn about the differences between major bat species when it comes to their eyesight and sight aptitude.

Megachiroptera Bat Species

There are two species of bats, Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera. They are believed to share the same descendants, but overtime, evolved separately from each other. Megachiroptera bats are mostly medium and large in size. These megabats generally feed on fruits, nectar, and at times, fish or small animals. Additional terms for Megachiroptera bats include Flying Foxes, Fruit Bats, Megabats, and Old World Fruit Bats.

Megachiroptera bat species have large eyes and visual centers; allowing them to see better at night. They use their sight, as well as, their sense of smell to navigate in the dark and catch their prey. For example, a Flying Fox can also see during the day and in color as well! In fact, they cannot see or fly well on moonless nights, making them rely on their daytime vision.

Microchiroptera Bats

Microchiroptera bats are the smaller species of bat. They mostly eat insects and hunt them through the process of echolocation. Echolocation is the system that allows bats to navigate around, map out their surroundings, and catch their prey. It is like a sonar system that bounces high-frequency sounds off nearby objects; allowing them to grid their surroundings. You see, in mammals, there are two types of photo-receptors: cones and rods. Cones are primarily for daytime and color vision; whereas rods are for night vision. Without mentioning, you can already guess which species of bat has more of what. It’s not that micro bats do not have cones, they simply have under-developed ones compared to their sister species, the Mega bat.

Bat Removal Services in Louisville, Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for licensed bat removal services in Louisville, Kentucky. We provide several safe and humane, non-lethal bat control services for residential and commercial properties. Service include attic restoration and repairs, prevention, cleanup, exclusion, and more. Call 502-553-7622 for affordable bat removal and control in Louisville, KY and its surrounding neighborhoods.