Do Bats Hibernate in the Winter?

Posted on February 20, 2025 by admin

Ever wondered what happens to bats during the cold winter months? While most birds migrate to warmer climates to avoid the chill, bats have their own survival strategies. If you’ve noticed activity in your attic or crawl space, or if you’re simply a nature enthusiast trying to understand Midwest bats, you’ve come to the right place. This blog will cover everything you need to know about bat hibernation, local bat species, their winter roosting habits, and how to handle a potential bat infestation safely and humanely.

By the end of this post, you’ll understand the fascinating winter life of bats—and how to protect both your home and these incredible creatures.

Call 502-553-7622 to Remove Bats in Your Attic in Louisville Kentucky

What Is Hibernation and How Does It Impact Bats?

Hibernation is a state of dormancy that allows animals to conserve energy during periods of cold temperatures and food scarcity. For bats, this means a drastic slowing of their metabolism, heart rate, and breathing. Because they primarily feed on insects, bats are particularly affected in the Midwest winter months, when their food supply diminishes significantly.

During hibernation, bats survive on the fat reserves they’ve built up during the warmer months. Their body temperature drops, allowing them to use less energy for basic bodily functions. However, waking up during hibernation—whether due to weather changes, predators, or human interference—can exhaust these reserves and jeopardize their survival.

Which Bat Species Hibernate in the Midwest?

The Midwest is home to a variety of bat species, many of which hibernate to survive harsh winters. Here are six species commonly found in the region:

Little Brown Bat – A small and widely distributed species, the Little Brown Bat often hibernates in caves or mines. They are known for their adaptability and can sometimes be found in man-made structures during winter.
Big Brown Bat – Larger than most species, the Big Brown Bat is one of the few that may remain semi-active in warmer winter spells. They often roost in attics, crawl spaces, and even barns.
Indiana Bat – Considered an endangered species, the Indiana Bat primarily hibernates in large colonies inside caves called “hibernacula.”
Northern Long-Eared Bat – This bat, often found in wooded areas, prefers to hibernate in caves and mines. It’s also listed as a threatened species, making efforts to protect its winter roosts incredibly important.
Gray Bat – Another endangered species, the Gray Bat is almost exclusively found in caves during hibernation. They are particularly common near water sources like rivers and reservoirs.
Hoary Bat – Unlike many other Midwest bats, the Hoary Bat is more likely to migrate than hibernate. They are often spotted in forests during their southern migration.

Understanding these species is crucial, as some (like the Indiana and Gray Bats) are protected under federal and state conservation laws, including in Louisville, Kentucky.

Where Do Bats Hibernate?

Bats are resourceful when it comes to finding winter roosts. Their hibernation spots depend on the species, environmental conditions, and available shelter. Here are the most common hibernation locations for bats:

Caves and Mines – Many bats seek out caves or abandoned mines because of their stable temperatures and high humidity. These conditions are ideal for conserving energy during hibernation.
Tree Hollows – Some species, like the Hoary Bat, take refuge in tree hollows, particularly in heavily forested areas of the Midwest.
Man-Made Structures – Bats in urban or suburban areas often find their way into homes, barns, and other buildings. Common spots include attics, crawl spaces, eaves, and chimneys.
Rock Crevices – Rock formations provide smaller bat species the protection they need from predators and the elements.

If you’re in Louisville, it’s important to be aware that bats may choose your attic or crawl space as their winter quarters. While this can be unsettling for homeowners, bats pose little direct threat to humans. However, their presence can lead to structural damage, droppings (guano) accumulation, and noise disturbances.

Managing Nuisance Bats Safely and Humanely

Discovering bats in your home can be distressing, but there are safe and humane ways to address the issue while ensuring their survival. Many bat species are protected by law, so it’s crucial to follow local regulations, including those in Louisville, Kentucky.

Tips for Safe Bat Removal and Control:

Contact a Professional – Hiring a licensed Louisville bat removal expert ensures the safe and legal handling of bats in your home. Professionals are familiar with local guidelines, such as seasonal restrictions during maternity and hibernation periods.
Install Bat Exclusion Devices – Exclusion devices allow bats to leave your home but not re-enter. This method is both effective and humane, as it prevents them from being trapped or killed.
Seal Entry Points – After the bats have left, seal off entry points such as cracks, vents, and gaps in roofing to prevent future infestations.
Avoid DIY Removal – Attempting to remove bats on your own can harm both you and the bats. Disturbing hibernating bats can deplete their energy reserves, while improper handling may expose you to health risks like rabies.
Install a Bat House – Provide bats with an alternative roosting spot by installing a bat house on your property. This not only helps relocate them but also supports their role in pest control.

Local Regulations in Louisville, Kentucky

Specific regulations in Louisville and across Kentucky protect certain bat species. For example, it is illegal to remove bats during their maternity season (typically spring and early summer) or disrupt their hibernation in protected areas. Always check with local wildlife authorities or consult a bat removal company before taking action.

Key Points

Bats play a vital role in our environment, from pollination to pest control. However, their winter hibernation can occasionally conflict with human living spaces. Whether you’re a homeowner warding off bats in the attic or a wildlife enthusiast keen to learn about these creatures, understanding their hibernation habits ensures we can coexist with these fascinating animals without causing harm.

If you’re dealing with a bat infestation or want advice on humane bat control methods, don’t hesitate to contact a local bat removal company. Their expertise will ensure both your home and the local bat population are protected.

Looking for a safe and affordable way to abate nuisance bats? Contact our professional wildlife control operators for expert advice and guidance. We offer comprehensive bat removal and control services in Louisville, Kentucky. Request a free estimate or schedule an attic inspection, today!

All the Reasons Why You Should Love Bats

Posted on June 19, 2020 by admin

Bats are one of the most amazing mammals in the world! For instance, did you know that bats are the ONLY mammal on the entire planet that can fly? Sure, there are “flying” squirrels and other mammals that mimic flying; but these species are really just floating, drifting, gliding, or soaring with wind currents. Bats are the only mammals that are capable of true flight. But interesting facts like this is not the only reason why so many people like us love bats so much. There is plenty more they offer that makes them a magnificent and valuable species!

Continue reading to learn why you should love bats too!

Louisville Bat Removal and Control 502-553-7622 — Fruit Bats are great pollinators!

Bats are Ecologically Important

Bats play a vital role in our surrounding Eco-system, and in countless more across the globe. They contribute to our local economies in various aspects, and even make our outdoor living environments a much nicer place to be. Here is why:

Bats are Excellent Pest Control

Have you ever noticed how comfortable your backyard can be when enjoying the nice, evening air? That is partly due to the colonies of bats living nearby. A single bat can consume more than one thousand flying insects, such as mosquitoes and gnats. And since bats are not solitary mammals, you can expect hundreds of bats darting and diving for insects all night long. That is an incredible amount of pest control, and all for free!

Bats Pollinate Our Crops and Gardens

Just like many other types of animals and insects, bats too help distribute pollen and other rich organic matter, which in turn provides a significant contribution to our local crops and gardens. It also makes our landscaping full and healthy, every spring and summer. This pattern of pollination also positively impacts our local economies in many ways.

Bats Stimulate Our Local Economies

Because bats are great a pollination and pest control, our crops and yields are much better in quality, nutrition, and appearance. This, in turn, helps local farmers and harvesters sell their goods and keep healthy, local foods in their community. It also creates jobs since more help is needed to farm and distribute annual crops.

Bats are So So Cute!

Have you ever seen a picture of a furry Little Brown bat? They are very adorable, especially as pups. How can you not love bats for this reason? If you do some more research, you will find thousands of species, all in a wide array of colors, wingspans, sizes, and unique attributes!

Solutions for Nuisance Bats

Of course, bats can also be a nuisance, even though they don’t mean to be. When land over-development and other contributions affect bats natural habitats, they tend to look for shelter anywhere they can. In many cases, this is our homes and buildings. But never worry! You can hire a licensed Kentucky bat removal and control company for safe and non-lethal abatement services at an affordable price.

Licensed Bat Removal and Control in Louisville, 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.

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.

What to Do if You See a Bat Outside Your House

Posted on April 27, 2020 by admin

Bats are around here are very tiny, so they can fit into the smallest openings or gaps in a house or building. In fact, a hole as small as 3/8ths of an inch is all they need to gain access into roofs, attics, crawl spaces, sheds, garages, and more. Additionally, bats are attracted to areas that have a lot of trees and bodies of water. Properties that also fit these descriptions are more prone to nightly bat activity, making bat sightings more prevalent that one would believe.

If you happen to come across a bat outside on your property, there are some specific rules to follow in order to protect yourself and the bat. Continue reading to learn what you should do if you ever see a bat outside.

Flying Bats

If you see a bat on the outside of your property, your next step depends on the where it is, what it is doing, and its age. When you see bats flying around your property at night, you don’t need to take any immediate action except to ensure your windows and doors are closed. However, if the bat activity persists or becomes worse, it is wise to contact a Louisville bat control company to have your home or building inspected for vulnerabilities. They have the permits, equipment, and skills to provide full-property inspections and give professional advice on how to protect your home from bat infestations.

Baby Bats

When you find a baby bat laying on the ground, or by itself attached to a beam or branch, do not touch it and immediately go the other direction. It may seem like the baby is abandoned by its mother, but is probably isn’t. Chance are, it fell out of the nest, or the mother dropped it mid-flight. In both scenarios, the mother is likely to come back for the baby within 24 hours.

If the baby bat is blatantly injured, it is important to let nature take its course. Remember, that bat could be food or fertilizer for other living organisms in nature. If the injured bat is in an area of your property that is often occupied or used, you cannot wait for nature to take its course; instead, contact a Louisville bat control company for licensed bat removal service.

Bat on the Ground

Unless it is June or July, a bat found on the ground is likely an adult. If you see an adult bat on the ground, especially during daytime, it could be injured, ill, or just really old and close to death. Bats are known to isolate themselves when they are dying. Furthermore, if the bat is behaving erratically, or seems confused, it could be a sign of Rabies.

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.

Where to Get Fast and Affordable Bat Removal in Louisville

Posted on April 16, 2020 by admin

Bats don’t have to continue being a nuisance to your property! Our DNR licensed bat removal and control specialists operate 24 hours a day, delivering excellent customer service and affordable long-term solutions here in Louisville, Kentucky.

Continue below to learn more about our team, including why you should choose us and how to get started as soon as today!

Kentucky Bat Removal and Control Facts

Bats are a protected Kentucky species and should never be touched, trapped, or harmed by anyone. In fact, it is state law that only licensed personnel with the proper state permits can handle or extract wilds bats. Keep this in mind next time you have a bat in the attic, or a bat infestation on your property! So, what do you do when bats are a nuisance around your property? Or worse, inside? The best solution is to contact our trusted and esteemed Kentucky bat control operators.

DNR Licensed and Insured Operators You Can Count On

We are a DNR licensed wildlife abatement company that specializes solely in bat removal, bat proofing, and bat damage restoration. Based out of Louisville, we are the professionals who can solve all of your nuisance bat problems at a competitive price! We have the latest technologies and hands-on experience to facilitate safe, humane, and effective bat removal services.

Not only can we extract bats from attics, crawl spaces, drywall, porches, and more, we offer a wide selection of additional bat control services for both residential and commercial properties, including bat cleanup services and minor attic restorations for damages caused by bats. We also offer bat proofing and preventative maintenance, dead bat removal, 24 hour emergency services, free advice, free estimates, and much more.

Get Started With a Free Quote Today!

Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate for Louisville bat removal services, 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.

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.

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.

How to Get Rid of Bats Behind Window Shutters

Posted on March 5, 2020 by admin

Bats are very tiny here in Kentucky, allowing them to take shelter in the teeniest, tiniest of places. One such place is right behind your window shutters. Bats like window shutter voids because they offer easy access, optimal privacy, and warmth through the colder days of the year. If you suspect that bats are roosting behind your window shutters, start looking for the signs of local bat activity to confirm their presence.

Continue reading to learn these signs, as well as, how to stop them roosting in your shutters for good.

Signs of Roosting Bats

Bats are small, which makes them good at hiding, but are not very good at staying hid, as they tend to leave behind signs that reveal their presence. One of the most common and easiest-to-spot signs is their droppings, otherwise known as guano. Although bat guano is often mistaken for rodent droppings, you can quickly tell the difference by taking a closer look. Bat guano is much larger than rodent droppings, which are generally pellet-like. Bat droppings looks more similar to that of a small dog rather than a rodent. In most cases, they are in large accumulations, which is not typical of rodent droppings.

Another common sign of bats nearby is scratch marks or grease-like stains on the shutter faces. This indicates that bats are flying and rubbing against the shutters on a regular basis. Another sign is actually witnessing them enter behind your shutters. You can safely assume they have made a nest and intend on staying there for a long time if you see this happen.

How to Stop Bats From Coming Back

To get rid of bats roosting behind window shutters, your safest and most humane option would be to use their sense of smell against them. Bats hate scents that are strong-smelling and stinky, and will avoid them at all costs. During the daytime, make sure the void behind your shutters is empty, then stick some mothballs inside. This will most certainly divert their interest in this spot. See our blog, “These Household Spices Can Keep Bats Away!” for some more scents bats hate.

If you check behind your shutters and there is a bat there, immediately walk away and contact a licensed Louisville bat removal company. There are several state and federal laws that govern bats, and you do not want to jeopardize your legal liability. Furthermore, some bats are federally-protected, such as the Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalist), which are common here in Kentucky. See our blog, “Kentucky Laws About Tampering With Wild Bats” to learn more laws about bats.

If your mothballs do not seem to work, you can always remove your shutters for a year, and therefore, remove your location from their memory. Otherwise, your Louisville bat control specialist can help you make the proper environmental modifications and exterior renovations to ensure your property remains protected against nuisance wildlife like bats.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control at an Affordable Price

If bats are a nuisance in or around your property, contact 502-553-7622 for safe and humane bat removal services 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.

How to Locate Bats in the Attic

Posted on January 28, 2020 by admin

If you suspect that you have bats roosting inside of your house, the attic is probably the area they are occupying, given that you are correct about your hunch. Other areas of a home that bats often take as shelter this time of year include chimneys, attached garages, and voids inside or between walls, roofing, and siding. If accessible, bats will even roost in crawl spaces or underneath porches. They key to removing bats in the attic is to figure out where and how they are getting inside. Once you locate the entry and exit points, the rest of the bat removal process is simple exclusion science.

Continue reading to learn which signs suggest you have bats in the attic, and what you can do to get rid of them quickly and humanely.

Get Rid of Bats in the Attic 502-553-7622

Signs of Bats in the Attic

When it comes to looking for signs, the best mindset to use is an investigative one. That is because you will need to spot small details and then piece together clues to confirm bat presence and activity. The most obvious signs of localized bat activity is actually seeing bats flying around your house at dawn and dusk. These “twilight” periods are when bats are most active, and come out of their roosts to hunt for insects. In fact, if you have seen bats flying around your house, you have an advantage when it comes to identifying their entry and exit points.

Simply place a camera outside, or observe them in person, to physically witness where they are getting in. Keep in mind, local Kentucky bats are so small, they can squeeze through an opening as tiny as 3/8^th of an inch, so it might be difficult, or even impossible, to see them slip into actual holes without the help and technology of a professional wildlife abatement company. You can look for dark brown or back oil-like stains on your siding, which results from their fur rubbing against the house as they enter and exit.

Another common signs of bat presence are bat droppings, or guano. If you are seeing bat droppings in or around your house, which look very similar to rodent droppings, you most certainly have bats. Look for piles and accumulations around door frames and windowsills, as well as, inside your attic and walls spaces, and your roof. These are common areas for bats to perch while hunting for prey.

More signs of bat presence include hearing strange noises inside walls or in your attic, such as chattering, squealing, squeaking, fluttering, and similar sounds. You can also assume bats are nearby if you smell strange odors coming from inside the living areas of your house. This is indicative of a bat infestation that has gone on for a long time. Along with odors, you might spot brown or yellow stains on ceilings or walls as a result of their urine and droppings.

Get Rid of Bats in the Attic in Louisville

Call 502-553-7622 to speak a DNR licensed specialist about safely getting rid of bats in the attic in your Louisville, Kentucky residence or building. We offer a wide range of non-lethal residential and commercial bat removal, bat control, and bat cleanup services. This includes animal damage repair and restoration, such as 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.

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.

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.