Category Archives: Bats

What is a Bat’s Natural Habitat?

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All year round, countless species of bats use several varieties of habitats for shelter, roosting, breeding, feeding, traveling, and more. All across the country, bats are making homes and traveling back and forth between them. Many people think bats only live, thrive, and stay in caves, but the truth is, they are open to all kinds of locations in between their roosts! Continue reading to learn a few interesting facts about bat habitats and behaviors.

Bat Roost

A bat roost usually is located somewhere hidden and dark. Here, bats can stay protected from predators and harsh weather. Here they can also breed and nurse their offspring. Bats are known to have several roosts in different locations, and it’s the habitats they choose to hang out at that make for interesting conversation. There are two common habitats that bats like to use for hunting and traveling; foraging habitats and shuttling habitats. Foraging habitats are basically good hunting grounds, like fields, grasslands, parks, ponds, forests, woods, rivers, creeks, and more. These areas provide an abundant amount of insect and small wildlife that bats prey on for food. They can even take a gulp or two at a river or other waterway. Shuttling, or commuting, habitats are the areas bats use for traveling from one roost to another. These are typically safer passageways for bats, and can be trusted for easy and obstacle-free flying. These locations include wood and forest edges, river banks, and more.

When it comes to hibernating and breeding their young, bats prefer cave-like environments, as mentioned before. Since caves are not a common landscaping feature in city and urban areas, bats use other forms of dark and secure shelter; like buildings, dumpsters, tall trees, power lines, attics, culverts, residential properties, and more. If you have a bat infestation in your home or property, call a licensed bat removal and control company for prompt and professional assistance. Never attempt to kill, harm, trap, or touch a bat. Bats can carry several infectious and contagious diseases, but still do not deserve to be harmed. A professional bat exclusion specialist can remove a bat, or bats, and relocate them to a safe and faraway habitat.

Bat Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane bat removal in Louisville, Kentucky. We are highly trained, DNR licensed wildlife contractors with decades of experience in the bat removal and control industry. We offer a wide selection of bat control services, like bat cleanup, minor attic restorations, bat proofing, and more. We also offer free estimates and information about how to get rid of bats, safely. Call 502-553-7622 for licensed bat removal services in Louisville, KY today.

How Do Bats Fly?

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One of the most fascinating and fun facts about bats is that they are the only mammal on earth that is capable of true flight. This means bats are the only member of the Mammalian family that can really fly. Most other mammals can glide, float, hover, or soar, which makes them appear to be natural flyers; but bats are the only species of mammal that can actually achieve true flight. Bats use their own body and wing power to fly and control their flight. Continue reading to learn more about bats, how they fly, and more.

Bat Wings

Bats are not like birds and covered in feathers, instead, they are covered in fur. They have large wings that, depending on the species, can range in length and width. The wings are a thin and almost-transparent membrane that are similar to the webbing in our hands. At the tip of a bat wing is one large hook-shaped claw, which is used in the same way we use our thumbs. Bats use this “thumb-like” talon to climb, mostly. Some species of bat have wing-membrane that extends all the way to their tail, capable of being used a as a pouch. But it’s not just the wings that help bats fly, it’s also their bodies.

Bats are light in weight. They have short, thick bodies, with a chest-size broader than their tail-span. All of these traits, as well as their wings, assist them in achieving flight. In order to fly, bats use a row-like maneuver to create lift-off. Their wings also retract, allowing bats to tuck their wings close to their chest to move more swiftly, mid-flight and between flaps.

When it comes to flying, bats are agile, aerodynamic, and swift. Many people believe bats are blind, and that their eyesight affects the way they fly. But this is simply untrue. Bats have very good vision, and can see just fine; but they do have narrow optical centers that inhibit their vision capabilities. This is why microbats also use echolocation, a sonar-like ability, to locate food and map their surroundings. Megabats, like the Flying Fox, have larger and wider visual centers that allow them to see well and not need echolocation.

Bats are amazing creatures and a significant part of our Eco-system, but sometimes they can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, making them nuisance wildlife. If you have a bat infestation on your property, or may have bats in the attic or some other interior area of your home, contact a Louisville bat removal company for safe and humane assistance.

Bat Removal and Control Louisville, KY

Call 502-553-7622 for professional and licensed bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky. We are DNR licensed bat exclusionists with decades of experience in the industry. We provide several bat removal and control services for residential and commercial properties all throughout the state. We also offer free estimates, emergency services, bat-proofing, and more. Call 502-553-7622 and speak with a friendly and knowledgeable Louisville bat removal expert about getting rid of bats, today.

A Newly Discovered Technique Bats Use to Navigate in the Dark!

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A new study recently revealed that microbats use more than echolocation to navigate around at night. No more is sonar the only navigational resource used by bats! Just to review, echolocation is a type of sonar system that microbats use to map their surroundings in the dark. Although not blind, microbats have small visual centers that inhibit their vision capabilities. By emitting small sounds and listening for the return echo, bats can make a mental grid of their surroundings, and better hunt for prey. The only megabat known to also use sonar is the Egyptian Fruit Bat. All other megabats retain a large visual center that allows them to see well at night.

Microbat Navigation

Now back to the topic at hand! The newly discovered ability in bats involves polarized light! That’s right; microbats apparently use patterns of polarized sky light to navigate their way around. They can actually calibrate their internal magnetic compasses by using the pattern of scattered sunlight in the atmosphere! This is a truly remarkable gift! You see, depending on the position of the sun during the day, polarization patterns and directional sunlight vary.

What we don’t know is how microbats detect polarized sunlight. I guess that answer will come later after more research and studies! One interesting fact is that bees also use this type of navigational resource, and other insects as well. Bats truly are fascinating and wonderful creatures that are a vital part of our Eco-system; however, when they trespass onto our properties, they can make quite the mess and cause quite the disturbance. When this happens, be sure to call a licensed Louisville Bat Removal contractor for safe and humane bat exclusion services and assistance. Bats should never be trapped, harmed, or killed.

Louisville Bat Removal

Call Louisville Bat Removal at 502-553-7622 if you have a bat infestation problem. We are DNR licensed bat exclusion specialists with decades of experience in the bat removal and control industry. We offer emergency services, free estimates, DIY advice, and a wide range of bat control services. Call 502-553-7622 for licensed bat removal services in Louisville, KY and its nearby counties.

The Bat Quiz: Learning about Wild Bats

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Bats are wonderful creatures that are found all across the globe! You may be scared of them, or you might be fascinated by them. Either way, learning about bats is fun! Take this bat quiz to test your knowledge on wild bats, and perhaps learn a thing or two while you’re at it! Once you complete the quiz, match your answers to the answer-key and see just how much you know about these amazing creature we call bats!

Get Started!

Question 1

What “Class” of Species are Bats?

a. Birds
b. Mammals
c. Reptiles
d. Aquatic

Question 2

Bats are Nocturnal. True or False?

a. True, bats are active primarily at night.
b. False, bats are diurnal and active at day.
c. False, bats are neither nocturnal nor diurnal.

Question 3

Where Do Wild Bats Predominantly Live?

a. Beaches
b. Jungles
c. Caves
d. Deserts

Question 4

What is the Scientific Order for a Bat?

a. Procyon Lotor
b. Mammalia
c. Insectivore
d. Chiroptera

Question 5

What Do Megabats Generally Eat?

a. Birds and Lizards
b. Other Bats
c. Nectar and Pollen
d. Mosquitos

Question 6

Bats Drink Human Blood. True or False?

a. True, bats like the taste of human blood.
b. False, only vampire bats will consume the blood of other animals.

Question 7

Bats are the Only Mammal Capable of True Flight. True or False?

a. True, bats are the only mammals that can really fly, rather than float or glide.
b. False, other mammals can fly.

Question 8

Will Bats Attack People?

a. No, Never.
b. Only if Frightened or Provoked, but Rarely.
c. Yes, Always.

Question 9

Are Bats Blind?

a. Yes, Blind as a Bat!
b. No, Bats Can See

Question 10

Why Does a Bat Use Echolocation?

a. A Way to Talk to Other Bats
b. To Scare Away Predators
c. To Build Nests
d. As Sonar to Map their Surroundings

Let’s See How You Did!

Answer Key: 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d, 5-c, 6-b, 7-a, 8-b, 9-b, 10-d

Well hopefully you learned something new about bats! Although bats are fascinating to learn about, they can sometimes be a bother to our homes and properties. In this case, be sure to contact a Louisville Bat Removal company that only uses safe and humane bat control methods. We must respect and protect all bat species, but we don’t have to invite them to our homes!

Bat Removal in Louisville, KY

For safe and humane solutions for bat removal in Louisville, Kentucky, call 502-553-7622 today. We are highly trained and DNR licensed bat exclusion specialists with decades of experience in the bat removal and control industry. We offer a wide range of bat removal services for both residential and commercial properties, at the most competitive prices in town. We also offer free estimates, emergency services, insurance compatibility, and cleanup and restoration services. Call 502-553-7622 for licensed and insured bat removal and control services in Louisville, KY and its nearby counties.

Discussing Differences Between Megabats and Microbats

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There are over 100,000 species of bat all across the world. What’s even more interesting than that is, all these bat species fall into one of two categories: Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera. Colloquially, these are referred to as megabats and microbats. Bats come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors; but all of them will either be a megabat or microbat species. Bats are the only mammal on Earth capable of true flight. This is one of the most interesting and incredible characteristics of bats! All bat species, whether mega or micro, are special and unique. Let’s take a closer look at a few individual species of bat, and discuss the differences between Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera bats.

Microchiroptera Bats

Microbats are not called “micro” for no reason; they are the smaller of the two category bats. The smallest microbat, called the Bumblebee Bat, weighs only 2 grams! Other microbats are known to weigh only a few ounces, and range between 4 and 15 centimeters long. They are also called Echolocating bats, small bats, insectivorous bats, and true bats. Although they go by many names and have various sub species, all microbats use echolocation to locate and hunt for food. Echolocation, also called bio sonar, is a method of emitting calls or sounds into the surrounding environment, and waiting for the sounds to bounce of close-by objects and return. This creates a mental grid or map for a bat in hunt of prey at night. Microbats have an interesting diet that mostly consists of insects; but larger species prefer small prey like frogs, fish, small birds, lizards, aquatic organisms, and even smaller bats. A few well-known species of Microchiroptera include the Spotted Bat, Spectacled Bat, Mexican Free-Tailed Bat, Bumblebee Bat, Orange Leaf-Nosed Bat, Little Broad-Nosed Bat, and the Inland Forest Bat.

Megachiroptera Bats

Megabats are much larger than most microbats. They have large eyes and a keen sense of smell. In fact, these two senses are their principle asset in hunting and locating food. You see, Megachiroptera bats do not use Echolocation like the Microchiroptera (with the exception of the Egyptian Fruit Bat that uses high-pitched clicks to navigate in caves). Instead, they see and smell very well. Their diet is frugivorous and nectarivorous, meaning they consume only ripened fruit, fruit juices, nectar, and pollen from flowers. They have long tongues that can reach down to the bottom of flowers in order to get to the pollen. Megabats and plant life practice a form of mutualism called Chiropterophily. Bats consume, pass along, and eliminate pollen and fruit seeds, producing more growth and aiding in the pollination process. Common species of megabat include all Fruit Bat species, all Flying Fox species, the Hammerhead Bat, and the Long-Tongued Nectar Bat.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 for professional bat removal and control services in Louisville, Kentucky today. We are highly trained and DNR licensed bat control specialists with decades of experience in the animal removal and control industry. We provide a wide-range of bat removal and control services; including bat removal, bat prevention, bat proofing, bat cleanup, minor attic restorations, emergency services, and more. Call 502-553-7622 and receive a free estimate regarding bat removal services in Louisville, KY and its surrounding counties.

How Do Mother Bats Find their Baby Bats in Dark Caves?

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Wild bats live in very large colonies. They preferred to remain in large masses in order to protect themselves and their offspring. Even though female male pets tend to remain separated from one another, the vastness of the colonies makes it easy for a male and female bat to find each other and mate. Female bats typically only give birth to one pup at a time. They remain with their mothers, either in their tail pouches or attached to their underbelly, until they are able to fly on their own. Once a baby bat is old enough to fly on their own and catch their own insects, mother bats no longer need to care for their offspring. However, while a mother bat is still caring for their young, they remain attentive and focused on their baby.

There are lots of interesting facts about mother bats and baby bats. For example, a mother bat can locate pup and a large mass colony, simply by their voice and smell. This is an incredible gift for these animals. When it comes to finding their baby bath and dark caves, this is one of the main methods of locating there young. There are other ways that mother bats find a baby pets and are caves as well. It is a system called animal echolocation.

Animal echolocation is also referred to as sonar, and is a biological system used bats; as well as, several other types of wildlife such as dolphins. When bat use echolocation, they send out and emit sounds into the surrounding area, and then listen for echoes to return to them. This time of sending out calls and listening for echoes allows bats and other animals to visualize and map out the surrounding environment. This way they can know what objects are nearby, where other objects are located, and more. It’s basically a built in navigation or GPS system.

Echolocation is a fascinating characteristic of bats that make them fun and interesting to learn about. Although bats are greatly admired nature, when they get into our homes and trespassing to properties, they can become a nuisance animal. When this happens it’s important to contact a professional wildlife control company. They have the proper tools, training, knowledge to safely extract bats and animal proof your home or property.

For professional bat removal in Louisville, Kentucky call 502-553-7622 today. We are highly trained, qualified, and insured back control technicians that have more than 20 years of experience in the animal removal industry. We provide a long list of back control services; including bat cleanup, bats in the attic, attic restorations, bat prevention, and much more. Our highly accomplished animal control technicians only use safe and humane methods to remove bats from residential or commercial properties, and relocated them to safer and far away habitats. If you suspect that your home or property is experiencing bat problems, contact our professional Bat Removal Company in Louisville, Kentucky at 502-553-7622 right away.

Common Species of Bat Found Around the World

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Did you know wild bats are found in many places all around the world? They exist and live in several different habitats, regions, climates, and localities. Although bats have a lot of similar characteristics and physiognomies, they also have unique and individual traits that set them apart from one another. In fact, there are over two thousand species of bat found all across the globe. There are over 175 species of bat in Indonesia alone! And in China, they are considered a symbol of good fortune.

They are fascinating creatures; especially being the only mammal capable of true flight. They are wonderful to learn about at any age! Continue reading to learn about some common bat species found in the world today, and what makes them a unique and special part of the world’s Eco-system.

Vampire Bats

Vampire Bats are microbats part of the Microchiroptera suborder. There are various tall tales and myths about Vampire bats. They are rumored to be from Transylvania and drink the blood of humans and children. This is far from reality. Vampire bats are actually from Central and South America. There are three different species of Vampire Bat; the White-Winged Vampire Bat, the Common Vampire Bat, and the Hairy-Legged Vampire Bat. The most interesting facts about them are that they are not “blood suckers” but instead, it scrapes the host’s skin then licks the blood up with its tongue. So yes, Vampire Bats do consume blood of other animals and prey, but never humans. As hematophagous mammals, they prefer cattle, pigs, horses, and birds but never take enough blood to kill. Also, they are very small; only averaging five to seven centimeters or so in size. They are affectionate and caring within their colonies by practicing mutual grooming and sharing food.

Flying Fox Bats

Flying Fox Bats are large megabats part of the Megachiroptera suborder. There are many species of Flying Foxes; from the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox, to the Little Red Flying Fox, Black Flying Fox, and more. They are found all over the world, in countries such as Indonesia, Africa, parts of Asia, and even Australia. These species of bat are the largest in the world with wingspans commonly reaching four feet or more in width! They primarily feed on pollen, nectar, flowers, blossoms, and fruit. This is why they are mostly found living in tropical or warmer climates. Unlike microbats, Flying Foxes do not use echolocation to hunt and catch prey; instead, they have acute eyesight and sense of smell that allow them to locate food.

Bumblebee Bats

This bat is worth mentioning for the sole fact that it is the world’s smallest Microchiroptera suborder of bat known to man. They are also referred to as “Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat. They are reddish-brown in color and use echolocation, just like all other microbats, to locate and catch its meals. Bumblebee bat colonies can easily exceed 100 bats or more, even though females generally give birth to one offspring at a time. They are mostly found living in warmer climates, in countries like Thailand and Burma; living in limestone caves and along rivers.

Louisville Bat Removal

Although there are fascinating species of bat found all over the world, homeowners do not want any bats living on or inside their properties. If you suspect you may be experiencing a bat problem, call Louisville Bat Removal at 502-553-7622 today. We are DNR licensed and insured bat control specialists with more than 30 years of experience in the animal removal industry. Our highly trained and qualified bat control technicians only use safe and humane methods to extract bats from within a property and safely relocate them to a faraway location. We offer various services for commercial and residential properties; including attic restorations, bat cleanup, inspections, prevention, 24 emergency services, and much more. Visit our website at https://www.batremovallouisvilleky.com for details about our services and company background. We will gladly provide free estimate for bat control services in Louisville, KY and its nearby counties anytime.

Can I Keep a Wild Bat as a Pet?

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In today’s society, it is certainly more popular to own exotic pets than it ever has been before; even though the records show it isn’t always a great idea. When it comes to pet bats, there are societies and exotic pet breeders that sell bats as pets; however, it takes thousands and thousands of years to successfully domesticate a wild animal. Domestic dogs date back all the way to the caveman days!

So no matter how many years a person has been breeding bats, or any wild animal, there is no guarantee that they will adapt well to domestication. Continue reading to learn the details behind whether or not you can, or should, keep a wild bat as a pet in your home.

Bats are Protected Under Law

In most states and jurisdictions, bats are a protected species and cannot be harmed, trapped, captured, or disrupted in any way. If you are caught in a state that does not allow wild animal domestication, you can be fined up to one thousand dollars or more. In some cases, people can even lose their privileges of pet ownership altogether if animal cruelty is suspected. In these areas, a person must retain proper licenses and permits to keep wild bats and other animal in captivity. This is typical for zoos, scientific organizations, and wildlife rescue foundations. These facilities must prove that they are providing a “sanctuary” and an apposite habitat lifestyle for the animals.

Even though there isn’t a need for another reason why a person really can’t keep a wild bat as a pet, there are more of them. For example, bats are primary known carriers of the rabies virus. A simple, quick, and sometimes unnoticeable, bat bite can transfer to illness to a pet or human and make them very sick. Bats carry other contagious diseases as well; such as leptospirosis, salmonella, Histoplasmosis, bat mites, lice, and more. In general, it is never a good or safe idea to come into contact with wild bats in any way, ever. If you truly love bats, try getting involved in a wildlife organization for bats or bat rescue societies. This way you can make a valuable contribution while admiring the species from afar.

If you see a wild bat near your home, be thankful for the nightly insect control; however, if you think you might already have a bat in your house, attic, or roof, call a professional bat control technician. Be sure to hire a company that uses safe and humane bat control methods.

Bat Control in Louisville, Kentucky

If you need bat control in Louisville, Kentucky, call 502-553-7622 today. We are highly trained and qualified bat exclusion experts that can safely and humanely capture and release wild bats in residential or commercial properties. We retain state of the art equipment and the latest technologies to safely and effectively remove bats from any area. We offer free estimates, DIY advice, discounts, and more. Visit our webpage at https://www.batremovallouisvilleky.com/bat-control-louisville-ky.php for details about our services and company background. For affordable and effective bat control in Louisville, KY, call 502-553-7622 for service you can trust.

Are Bats Really Blind?

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An interesting fact about bats is that they are the only mammal to use their own power to fly. Other mammals may appear to be able to fly, such as the flying squirrel; but they only glide. Bats are true flight-capable mammals, controlling their own flight and power. It is a truly magnificent ability for a member of the Mammalia class.

You might interject with the fact that birds can fly; but they do this with the use of their feathers, when bats only have fur! This is what we mean when we say they use their OWN power to fly. So if bats are capable of such an extraordinary skill, why do so many people think they cannot see? Continue reading to learn more about bats vision abilities and the truth behind the age-old myth that all bats are blind.

How Do Bats See?

Bats use their eyes to see! Bats are not blind at all; they just do not have a wide vision capacity. Humans and other animals have better-developed eyesight, giving bats the “blind” reputation. Bats use their eyes, as well as, their other senses to get around at night. On top of eyesight, bats rely on sonar to see. Sonar is technique bats use to create an invisible grid of their surroundings. They give odd high-frequency sounds the bounce of the surrounding objects and return to them as echoes. Turning auditory information into visual maps is a method of charting that is also used by humans in various industries all around the world!

There are two types of bats, both thought to evolve separately but come from the same ancestry. They are the Megachiroptera and the Microchiroptera. The Mega bats are larger and maintain a diet consisting mostly of fruits, nectar, small fish, rodents, and amphibians. They have large eyes and prominent noses; as a result, they primarily rely on their sense of sight and smell to locate and hunt prey. Some species of Megachiroptera can even see in color. Although nocturnal, most species of Mega bat can see in the daylight due to their highly evolved visual centers. In fact, they can have trouble flying on moonless nights.

Micro bats have smaller eyes and mostly rely on their sense of smell and echolocation to see and hunt their prey. Mammals generally have two types of photoreceptor cells in their eyes: cones for daytime and color vision, and rods for nighttime vision. Micro bats have always been thought to only have rods; but recent studies show that they too have cones, just underdeveloped ones.

Bat Control in Louisville, Kentucky

If you have more questions about bat control, or think you might have a bat in the house, call Louisville Bat Removal in Kentucky at 502-553-7622 today. We are highly trained and qualified bat control specialists with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Our friendly technicians are glad to answer any inquiries about bat control, bat removal, animal damage restoration, bat bites, bats in the house, and more! Visit our webpage at https://www.batremovallouisvilleky.com/bat-control-louisville-ky.php for details about our bat control services. IF you think you might have a bat in the house and need bat control in Louisville, KY, call 502-553-7622 for free estimates and information, any time.

Where Do Bats Live?

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Bats are interesting mammals that have interesting characteristics and behaviors. Bats are fascinating animals which explains why people have so many great questions about these swift creatures. One popular question about bats is where they live and how they choose their homes in the wild. Continue reading and we’ll discuss these bat related questions a little more.

Bats Reside in Various Places

There are many different species of bats found all over the world. There are possibly even hundreds of undiscovered species of bats out there right now! Among all these species are thousands of different characteristics and styles of living, mating, feeding, and of course, dwelling. Depending on the region in which the bat comes from, determines the home it generally makes for itself. Before identifying specific places bats can be found dwelling within, let’s first acknowledge the type of home all bats prefer.

Bats like dark, remote, narrow, and warm places to sleep, nest, and breed their young. This means bats can be found in several different settings. Bats are typically known to live in caves, which is true; but not all bats live in caves. Hollowed out trees, large rock crevices, cliff sides, and residential properties are all common choices for bats to make homes in. Barns, garages, attics, crawl spaces, roof tops, and even dumpsters are all places bats are commonly found. They can even be found inside a home’s siding and eaves.

Bats look big when they are flying in the sky, but they are actually very tiny. They can easily find their way into our homes and commercial properties in search of shelter. If this ever happens, contact a professional bat removal company for fast and effective assistance.

To learn more about bats and general bat information, call our Louisville KY Bat Removal Specialists today! We are DNR licensed and insured with over 25 years of experience in the bat control industry. We offer free advice, estimates, inspections, and more. Call us at 502-553-7622 for a free estimate on bat control and removal services in Louisville, Kentucky anytime!