Histoplasmosis and the Hidden Dangers of Bats in Your Attic

Posted on November 10, 2025 by admin

Discovering bats in your attic can be alarming. While these creatures play a vital role in our ecosystem, their presence in your home poses significant health risks. One of the most serious concerns is histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection caused by a fungus that thrives in bat droppings. For homeowners in Kentucky, understanding this connection is the first step toward protecting your family and property.

This guide will explain what histoplasmosis is, how it’s linked to bat infestations, and its prevalence in Kentucky. We’ll cover the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease, as well as practical steps for prevention and the importance of professional bat removal. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge you need to handle a bat problem safely and effectively.

Call 502-553-7622 for Professional Bat Removal in Louisville Kentucky

What is Histoplasmosis?

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus is commonly found in soil that contains large amounts of bird or bat droppings, also known as guano. When soil or accumulated droppings are disturbed—through activities like cleaning an attic, gardening, or construction—the fungal spores can become airborne and be inhaled, leading to infection.

While many people who inhale the spores never get sick, others can develop a flu-like illness. For individuals with weakened immune systems, the elderly, or infants, histoplasmosis can become a severe and even life-threatening condition.

The Link Between Bats and Histoplasmosis

Bats, particularly the microbats common in North America, often roost in dark, undisturbed places like caves, old barns, and residential attics. Over time, their droppings accumulate, creating an ideal environment for the Histoplasma fungus to grow. A significant bat infestation in an attic can lead to large deposits of guano, turning the space into a potential source of infection.

When homeowners attempt to clean up bat guano without proper precautions, they risk disturbing the fungal spores and inhaling them. This is why it is crucial to address a bat problem with professional assistance.

Histoplasmosis in Kentucky

The Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, which include Kentucky, are known hotspots for histoplasmosis. The region’s soil and climate conditions are favorable for the Histoplasma fungus. According to data from the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the state consistently reports cases of histoplasmosis each year.

While exact numbers fluctuate, Kentucky remains one of the states with the highest incidence rates in the country. This prevalence underscores the importance for residents to be aware of the risks associated with bat diseases and infestations.

Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The symptoms of histoplasmosis can vary widely depending on the severity of the infection.

Symptoms

Many people with histoplasmosis have no apparent symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they typically appear 3 to 17 days after exposure and may include:

Fever and chills
Headache
Muscle aches
Dry cough
Chest pain
Fatigue

In more severe cases, especially among those with compromised immune systems, the infection can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the brain and spinal cord. This is known as disseminated histoplasmosis and requires immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing histoplasmosis can be challenging because its symptoms resemble other respiratory illnesses. A doctor may use a combination of blood tests, urine tests, chest X-rays, or tissue samples to confirm a diagnosis.

For mild cases, treatment may not be necessary, as the infection often resolves on its own. However, for chronic or severe cases, doctors typically prescribe antifungal medications. Treatment can last from several months to a year, depending on the patient’s condition.

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Preventing Bat Infestations in Your Home

The most effective way to prevent histoplasmosis from a bat infestation is to prevent bats from entering your home in the first place. Here are some practical bat control tips:

Seal Entry Points: Regularly inspect your home’s exterior for cracks and openings. Bats can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. Seal gaps in siding, around pipes, and near the foundation with caulk or expanding foam sealant.
Cover Chimneys: Install a properly fitted chimney cap to prevent bats and other wildlife from entering.
Install Screens: Make sure all windows, doors, and vents have intact screens. Repair any tears or holes promptly.
Trim Trees: Keep tree branches trimmed away from your roofline. Bats often use overhanging limbs to access your roof and find entry points.
Attic Ventilation: Ensure your attic has proper ventilation. This helps reduce moisture and makes the space less attractive to bats.
Regular Inspections: Periodically conduct an attic inspection. Look for signs of bat activity, such as droppings (guano), staining on walls, or scratching noises.

Why You Need a Professional Wildlife Removal Company

If you discover bats in the attic, do not attempt to remove them or clean up the droppings yourself. Handling a bat infestation requires specialized knowledge and equipment to ensure safety and compliance with wildlife regulations.

Benefits of Professional Bat Removal

Safe and Humane Removal: Professionals are trained to remove bats safely and humanely, without harming the animals or your property.
Thorough Inspection: A wildlife removal company will conduct a comprehensive attic inspection to identify all entry points and nesting areas.
Effective, Long-Lasting Solutions: Experts will seal entry points to prevent bats from returning, providing a permanent solution.
Proper Guano Cleanup: Professionals use protective gear and specialized techniques to safely remove bat guano and decontaminate the area, minimizing health risks.
Compliance with Regulations: In Kentucky, several bat species are protected. A licensed service understands and adheres to all local and federal laws regarding wildlife management.

Secure Your Home and Health

A bat infestation is more than just a nuisance; it’s a serious health hazard. Histoplasmosis is a real threat in Kentucky, but with awareness and proactive measures, you can protect your home and family. By sealing potential entry points and recognizing the signs of an infestation, you can prevent bats from making your home theirs.

If you suspect you have bats in your attic, the safest and most effective step is to contact a professional. A trained expert can assess the situation, remove the bats humanely, and ensure your home is secure.

Don’t wait until a small problem becomes a major health risk. Schedule a professional bat inspection today to ensure your home is safe and bat-free.

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Valiant Efforts Being Made to Abate White Nose Syndrome in Bats

Posted on May 28, 2020 by admin

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a serious and deadly disease that affects species of hibernating bats. Millions of bat populations have already been wiped out due to this deathly syndrome, which is immensely sad considering the high ecological and economic importance of bats. Fortunately, there are valiant efforts currently being made to slow the spread of, and eventually put a stop to, this terrifying bat disease.

Continue reading to learn more about what’s being done to save our bats from White-nose syndrome.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS)

The White-nose syndrome (WNS) diseases is caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). This fungus appears in the form of white fuzz or powder around the snout of bats, hence its moniker. Because Pseudogymnoascus destructans grows best in cold, dark, damp locations, hibernating bats are prime collateral damage since they tend to inhabit caves and similar areas with cold, damp conditions.

White-nose syndrome fungal spores can survive on surfaces for an extended amount of time, and can spread rapidly among bat colonies throughout the country. One of the first discovered cases of white-nose syndrome occurred back in 2006, when a cave explorer took a picture of a bat in a cave outside of Albany, New York. Today, the disease in found in bat populations all across the United States.

Current Efforts to Find a Solution

Although various bat populations have been affected by this deadly diseases, the top three species that suffered the most include Northern long-eared bats, Little brown bats, and Tricolored bats. Unfortunately, there is no cure for white-nose syndrome, but efforts are continuing to preserve and protect our healthy bat colonies from becoming infected.

Currently, vaccines are being tested, and several experimental treatments are being implemented, to find a solution to this ecological problem. Furthermore, studies are being done to investigate and evaluate the spread of white nose syndrome, and learning how to make positive environmental and habitat changes for bats.

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 Company To Call

Call 553-502-7622 for prompt and professional 24 hour bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding areas. 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.

Are Bat Mites and Bed Bugs the Same?

Posted on March 19, 2020 by admin

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why You Need Restoration Service After a Bat Infestation

Posted on November 29, 2019 by admin

When it comes to bat removal and control, getting rid of bats is only a part of the process. Bats leave behind horrible messes that are both structurally damaging and unsanitary. Everything from walls, ceilings, and floorboards, to attic insulation, electrical wiring, rooftops, and siding, are all targets of bat droppings and structural damage. Not only can this lower your total property value and jeopardize your investment, it poses several serious health and safety risks.

Continue reading to learn more about the cleanup and restoration process the follows bat removal, and what you need to know about a common health concern related to bat droppings.

Louisville Bat Removal and Cleanup 502-553-7622

Cleaning Up After Bats

One of the most vital parts of bat cleaning is hazardous waste removal. Bat guano can develop a fungal disease known as Histoplasmosis; and if the spores of this fungus enter the air ducts, they can be dispersed all throughout the property. If inhaled, they can cause serious respiratory illness. In fact, it can be fatal to young children, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

The Dangers of Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection of the lungs that develops on bat guano. It is caused by the fungus, Histoplasma. Generally, it grows in wet soil abundant in bird or bat droppings; however, the fungus commonly grows on nitrogen-rich bat guano. In the case of a bat infestation, this fungal infection can put people and pets at risk because its spores can become airborne and circulate through a property’s indoor environment. If inhaled, the fungal infection can be contracted by other living organisms.

Infants, young children, and those with suppressed immune systems are at higher risk of contracting histoplasmosis. Most people, especially those in good health, will not require any treatment if infected, and instead, will naturally heal on their own with ample rest and fluids. However, more vulnerable individuals, such as the ones mentioned before, can become seriously ill and require professional treatment. The most common signs of Histoplasmosis sickness includes high fever, cough, and fatigue.

Structural Damages

An equally vital part of bat cleanup is structural damage repair. This is important if you want to maintain a safe and structurally sound property, remain within local health codes, and prevent dangerous accidents. For these reasons and more, it is important to address your property’s sanitation and repair needs immediately after a bat infestation.

The most common nuisance bat species in Kentucky are Little Brown bats, Big Brown bats, and Hoary bats. Because of their extremely small size, they only need a gap that is about 3/8ths of an inch in order to get inside a property. They often target crumbling mortar, dry rotting wood, attic vents, exterior cracks, loose siding, garages, crawl spaces, porches, and more.

Remedies

As you can now gather, it is critical to your safety and budget to address a bat infestation problem as soon as possible. Contact a licensed, bonded, and insured Kentucky bat removal company for expert service you can trust. Look for professionals who operate within established industry standards and best practices, and, in accordance with local, state, and federal laws that govern wildlife. It is wise to choose a company that also provides insurance claim work for bat damages.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control You Can Trust

Call 553-502-7622 for prompt and professional 24 hour bat removal in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding areas. 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.

How to Clean Up Bat Guano

Posted on August 30, 2019 by admin

One of the most vital parts of cleaning up after nuisance bat activity or infestation is hazardous waste removal. Bat guano can develop a transmissible fungal spores that can cause a disease known as Histoplasmosis. You see, if the fungal spores enter the air ducts of a home or building, they can be dispersed all throughout a property. Upon inhalation, these spores can cause serious respiratory illnesses that may be fatal to young children, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems or existing respiratory complications. See our blog, “What is Histoplasmosis?” to learn details about this illness, including causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

For these reasons and more, it is wise to clean up bat guano in any scope, whether a small pile around your window seals and bird houses, or large accumulations in a formerly-infested area of your home. For large scale cleanup, it is necessary to hire a licensed bat abatement company that is equipped with the proper training and resources to accurately decontaminate and sanitize your property in adherence to city codes. However, if you are simply treating a small area, you can clean up bat droppings on your own so long as you do not have a weakened immune system or existing respiratory complications. Read our blog, “Can Bat Guano Hurt Me?” to understand these risks more.

Continue reading to learn how to clean up bat guano, safely and effectively.

Louisville Bat Removal and Cleanup Services 502-553-7622

What You Need to Get Rid of Bat Droppings

In order to clean up a bat dropping pile, you will need some protective gear. This includes a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, rubber gloves, a face mask or respirator, and safety goggles. As mentioned, you are at risk of inhaling or coming into contact with dangerous spores. You will also need the following materials:

➡ Shovel or Spade
➡ Dust Pan
➡ Garbage Bags
➡ Hose or Spraying Water Bottle
➡ Full Coverage Clothing

Cleanup Instruction

To start, put on all your protective gear ensuring that your skin is covered.

Next, lightly spray the guano with water in order to reduce the likelihood of airborne spores and dust.

Using your choice of tool, shovel the bat guano into a garbage bag. Be sure to double bag all guano bags.

If it is just a small to moderate amount of guano, you can toss the bags into your own garbage or public dumpster for trash removal.

If you have a large accumulation of bat guano, contact your local health department to report the hazardous waste and request specialized waste removal. Or simply contact a licensed Kentucky Bat Removal Company for professional bat cleanup and restoration services in one.

Kentucky Bat Removal and Control You Can Trust

Call 502-553-7622 to speak a Louisville bat removal and control specialist about resolving all of your nuisance bat issues. We also offer a wide range of residential and commercial bat cleanup and damage restoration services for all of Kentucky, including decontamination, sanitizing, deodorization, fumigation, integrated pest management solutions for bat bugs, structural damage repair, insulation replacement, drywall repair, preventative maintenance, post checkups, and much more. We may also be able to provide bat damage insurance claim work depending on your particular policy and carrier.

FAQS About Diseases Spread By Bats

Posted on July 30, 2019 by admin

Zoonotic viruses are those than can pass from one animal to another, and bats are known hosts to more than 60 of them. Furthermore, they are carriers of several other infectious viruses, bacteria, and parasites. However, just because a bat is a host does not mean they are infected, or even contagious.

Continue reading to review the most frequently asked questions about bats and disease.

What Diseases Can Bats Spread?

Bats are most known for being carriers of the Rabies virus. It is also possible for bats to carry the SARS virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome), however, it is rare, and the transmission from bat to human is even rarer. Other than zoonotic viruses, bats can also cause additional health concerns.

Their droppings (guano) can grow fungi spores (Histoplasma Capsulatum) that become airborne. If inhaled, it can cause a respiratory illness known as Histoplasmosis, which can be incredibly severe for young children, elderly folks, and those with weakened immune systems. Bats can also cause parasitic outbreaks, including lice, bat mites, bed bugs, and fleas.

Is Rabies Fatal for Humans?

When a human has contracted rabies, they will start to display particular signs, in which case they will need to go to the emergency room immediately. These signs will appear similar to the flu or common cold, with symptoms like headache and fever. As the virus progresses, other signs such as dizziness, rage, and confusion.

The incubation period for rabies in the average person is about five to seven days. All cases of rabies in humans were fatal until the vaccine was invented in the early 1900’s. Now, if a person is ever infected with Rabies, he or she can go to the emergency room and receive effective treatment to stop the virus from multiplying.

Can Dogs and Cats Catch Diseases From Bats?

All of these illnesses and parasites can all be transmitted to both people and pets. It is important to have your pet properly vaccinated every year to prevent complications or fatalities that result from a wild animal attack or bite. Common pet vaccines include: Rabies, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza. Vaccinations are important for humans as well, especially children and those with weakened immune systems.

How Do Bats Transfer Disease?

The most common means of bacterial or viral transmission is through blood or saliva. This often occurs in the form of a bat bite or scratch. In most cases, a person bitten by a bat will be instructed to immediately seek medical attention. In the case that you or a loved one is bitten by a wild animal, it is important to call your doctor immediately. Depending on the description of the bat and the boosters you have one file, your doctor will determine whether or not you need emergency services. If a pet is bitten, take them to the emergency vert clinic right away.

Which Illnesses Only Infect Bats?

There are some diseases that can affect bats, but cannot be transmitted to other mammals. The most common disease is called White Nose Syndrome (WNS). It gets its name from the distinctive symptoms it causes in bats, namely a white fungal growth on their noses, muzzles, and other areas of the body.

Geomyces destructans is a newly-discovered fungus that is suspected to cause White Nose Syndrome in bats. Bats infected with WNS will show strange signs and exhibit odd behaviors. This includes daytime activity and clustering near the entry points of their roost. In North America, this disease is spreading quickly among Microchiroptera populations, and has caused millions of bat fatalities.

Managing Nuisance Bat Problems in Louisville

If bats are a nuisance in or around your property, contact 502-553-7622 for safe and non-lethal bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky. We are DNR licensed and insured bat control contractors who use safe, non-lethal methods of extraction and exclusion. We serve both residential and commercial clients, and at the most competitive prices in town. Emergency 24 hour service is also available. Request a free estimate, today.

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 Carry Diseases?

Posted on December 26, 2018 by admin

If you live near a natural bat habitat, such as large bodies of water, cavernous rock, abandoned mines, or forests, you will eventually spot some sooner or later. And when you start to see bats around your property, it is natural to have some concerns. Aside from structural damages, you are likely worried about the potential of contact, or worse, exposure. That is because bats can carry a wide range of diseases and more.

Continue reading to learn which diseases bats are known to carry, including which ones are transmissible and which are mostly harmless.

Rabies Virus

The most feared disease that bats are known to be common carriers of is the Rabies virus. This virus is scary because there is no cure once infected, whether animal or human. For this reason, pet vaccinations are vital, and even mandatory by law in some states. Furthermore, vaccines are strongly encouraged for people who are regularly in situations where bat exposure may occur, such as miners, spelunkers, animal handlers, farmers, and exotic vets.

Histoplasmosis

Although Histoplasmosis is not a disease, it is still detrimental to people and pets. It is a fungus that is bred by large accumulations of bat guano, which develop airborne spores that 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.

Parasites

As mentioned, there are some bat diseases that are not necessarily harmful, but nonetheless, severely disadvantageous. Parasites like lice, fleas, ticks, and mites can be carried and spread to people and pets, as well as, upholstery, clothing, outdoor fabrics, and more. Even though they are not fatal and will not likely cause serious illness, they are not pleasant to have around. Furthermore, the process of eliminating such parasites is tedious and cumbersome.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate for Louisville bat removal and control, today. We offer a wide range of bat removal and control services for both residential and commercial properties, 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.