Northern Long-Eared Bats are on the U.S. Threatened Species List

Posted on by

Under the endangered species act, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service added the Northern Long-Eared Bat to the list of threatened species in our country. The ruling when into effect in May of this year.

The difference between “threatened” and “endangered” is significant. A threatened species is predicted to become endangered in the foreseeable future; whereas an endangered species is soon to be extinct.

Although not yet facing extinction, this is a sad year for this incredible species, and we should take some time to learn more about Northern Long-Eared bats and why their populations are facing endangerment.

Northern Myotis

The Northern Long-Eared bat, formally known as Myotis Keenii, is commonly referred to as Northern Myotis or Myotis septentrionalis. It is a small bat native to North America, averaging sizes no more than 3 to 5 inches and weighing no more than an ounce or two. They are primarily found in the Mid to Eastern parts of the country, starting in states like Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, down through the Carolinas and even Alabama, and all the way up to Main and Canada.

Northern Long-Eared bats dwell in caves and wooded forests, roosting in trees during the day and searching for food at night. Being nocturnal, they are mostly active during the dusk, evening, and early morning hours, and then rest during the daytime. After a few days, they switch roosting areas, so they are often in search of new shelter at night as well.

As microbats do, they eat a wide variety of small insects, like moths, mosquitos, beetles, flies, gnats, and more. In the fall they migrate to caves and other similar locations to hibernate for the winter in populations of 100 bats or more. Emerging in March or April, Northern Long-Eared bats then breed and raise their young though the spring and summer.

White-Nose Syndrome is to Blame

One of the conclusions scientists and researchers have come to regarding the downfall of the Northern Long-Eared bat is that disease is the threat. White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a common disease that spreads easily and quickly among bat populations, and most all bats are at risk of contracting the illness. This disease seems to be the reason why this species of bat have now become a threatened one.

White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that attacks the bat’s skin. It is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and can be detected by a visible white fungal growth around the wings, snouts, and muzzles of bats; hence the moniker. Assumed to come from Europe, this disease is now wide-spread throughout North America and has wiped out over 5 million bats in just the past four years. White-Nose Syndrome can kill up to 98% of a bat population at a time. It is a serious threat to all species of bat, and mammal as well.

Protect Bats and Your Home

It is important to never harm, kill, catch, or trap bats under any circumstances. Not only are they an imperative part of our natural surrounding Eco-system, it is often against the law to do so anyway. If you have a bat in the attic, or bats around your house, it is best to call a professional wildlife removal company for safe and legal assistance. They use non-lethal methods to exclude bats, prevent future bat problems, and relocate bats to a faraway habitat.

Bat Removal Louisville

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional bat removal in Louisville, Kentucky. We are DNR licensed and experienced wildlife rescue and control specialists that only use safe and humane methods of bat exclusion. We offer a wide range of services for residential and commercial properties, including minor structural damage repairs, bat removal and control, bat cleanup, bat proofing, and more. Call 502-553-7622 to learn how to protect bats and your home from bats in Louisville, KY and its surrounding counties.

Consider Installing a Bat House for Microbats

Posted on by

Microbats can certainly be a nuisance animal for homes and buildings, but they also play an important role in our surrounding eco-system. For this reason, it is helpful to find a happy medium between bat control and bat preservation. Homes and properties located near wooded areas and bodies of water are prone to higher bat activity, and cannot entirely prevent bat presence on their lands. In cases like this, if you can’t beat them, join them. There are ways to control bat activity on your property, and one method is installing a bat house. Continue reading to learn tips for controlling bat presence on your property, as well as, the benefits of a bat house for microbats.

Bat Control and Prevention

Some homes are located in areas where bat presence is a guarantee and there is no way of completely eliminating bat populations. For these homes, it is wise to do whatever you can to prevent bats from entering or being attracted to your property. Hire a professional contractor to inspect the doors, windows, siding, and roof shingles on your home, and have them sealed to prevent animal intrusion. Then, take certain measures to keep bats off your property; for example, install motion sensor lighting, or sound machines outside to prevent bats from entering your premises. But precautions like these won’t keep bats away entirely, so there are other methods of bat control you can use to prevent bat damages and intrusion on your home. One helpful method is a bat house.

Bat Houses

Bat houses are perfect for microbats since they love to take shelter somewhere cozy, safe, and accessible. A bat house provides all of these elements for a bat, thwarting them from looking to your home as a means of shelter. A bat house attracts bats, and controls their location by keeping a certain distance between the home and the bat house. The best type of bat house is one that mimics the space between bark and tree, since bats generally spend their summer and winter months inside trees, under bridges, and in buildings. This means it should be narrow, dark, and insulated to stay warm. If you provide this sanctuary for bats, they will use it and stay far away from your own home.

When you wish to install a bat house, be sure to choose an area with the right elements. The location of the bat house should be in sun, at least 15 feet off the ground, and nearby a source of water. Although bats often take shelter in trees, it is not a good idea to place a bat house in a tree. This invites certain predators and other nuisance wildlife activity, and doesn’t allow the sun to naturally heat the inside since it’s blocked by branches.

To find the perfect bat house for your property, simple search and shop online or visit your local wildlife supply or garden store. They are relatively inexpensive, and range in price depending on the retailer, quality, and design. Choose one that you would like to roost in if you were a bat!

If you are experiencing bat infestation problems, or need to get rid of bats in the attic or other area in your home, call a licensed bat control contractor right away. They retain the proper tools, training, and equipment to safely and humanely remove bats and relocate them to a faraway habitat. Never harm, trap, or kill bats! Ask your wildlife contractor about installing a bat house and they will be happy to assist you.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control

Call Louisville Bat Removal and Control at 502-553-7622 to get rid of bats in the attic, or other part of your property. We are DNR licensed and retain several years of experience in the wildlife rescue and control industry. We provide a wide range of bat removal and control services for residential and commercial properties, using only safe and non-lethal methods of exclusion. Call 502-553-7622 to learn more about bat houses and bat control in Louisville, KY.

The Best Treatment for Bat Control

Posted on by

Wild bats are commonly found out in the country, or rural areas of Kentucky. But of course, they are frequently spotted in urban city areas too. Where ever your property is located, bats can potentially be a problem, if they haven’t been already. If you want to truly curb bat infestation and activity near your home or building, trust the best and most effective treatment for it: preventative maintenance. Continue reading to learn why prevention is the best method to protecting your investments from nuisance wildlife damage,
and how to get started today.

Bat Prevention Tips

The first place to think about for bat prevention is the exterior of the property. Roof shingles, windows, doors, siding, overhangs, awnings, porches, and more should all be inspected for openings and vulnerabilities. A licensed contractor should be hired to provide professional sealing and repair services to ensure this step is done properly. Once you know your property is adequately sealed from the outside, you can move onto the next phase of bat control and prevention.

There are several products available on the market for nuisance bat control. You can consider trying out some of these devices to see if they can work for you. If they do not seem to add any value, simply return them for a refund. One such device available is an ultrasonic wave machine that use high-pitched sonar emissions to keep bats away. You can also consider a sound machine that emits the sounds of certain predators bats fear.

Aside from home repairs and electronic devices, you can also install automatic lights outside of your property to keep bats from entering your territory. Bats like the dark, so they will stay clear of bright, lit-up areas. By having them set on motion sensors, you can save energy and keep other nuisance wildlife away.

If you live in the country or rural area, try compromising with the local bat population by setting out bat houses far from your home. These are just like bird houses except the opening is at the bottom, allowing bats to fly in and hang from the top. This will not only keep them occupied and away from your living quarters, it can also give licensed exclusionists an advantage when relocating them to a safer habitat.

Call a professional bat removal and control service for problems with bat activity near your home. They retain the proper licensing and training to LEGALLY and safely remove bats and prevent their return. Never try to catch, harm, or kill a wild bat. Call a bat removal service instead! They use safe and non-lethal methods to remove bats and relocate them to a faraway habitat.

Bat Removal in Louisville

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional bat removal service in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding counties. We are DNR licensed wildlife specialists with decades of experience working with bats. We only use safe and humane methods to exclude bats, also providing preventative maintenance and attic repairs for bat damages. Call 502-553-7622 for affordable and reliable bat control in Louisville, KY today.

Do You Think Bats Are Blind?

Posted on by

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

Megachiroptera Bat Species

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

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

Microchiroptera Bats

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

Bat Removal Services in Louisville, Kentucky

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

Are You Hearing Bat Noises in Your House?

Posted on by

Have you heard some strange noises in your home lately and you suspect they are coming from bats? Sometimes, homeowners hear scratching, squealing, chirp-like sounds commonly associated with bats, but the truth is, bats are fairly quiet creatures. You are more likely to SEE signs of bat infestation before you actually ever hear them. This includes seeing unusual stains on walls and ceilings (urine and guano stains most likely), gaps and openings in the exterior of the home (roof shingles, siding, etc.), and actual bats flying around your property.

This means, bat infestation problems tend to go on for quite some time before they are noticed by homeowners. And if you can actually hear bats on your property, it has reached a level where the numbers are now very large. The best strategy against bat infestation is bat-proofing services. Professional wildlife control companies offer preventative maintenance for homes and properties to protect against bats and more. Continue reading to learn some more facts about hearing bats and bat noises in the home.

Bat Sounds

Bats, although quiet, do make characteristic sounds. Squeaking and scratching are common sounds made by bats, either flying around or during stationary activity. The problem with bat sounds and homeowners is that many people think they are hearing bats, when in fact, they are hearing something completely different. For example, there are birds called Chimney Swifts that take shelter in, you guessed it, chimneys. When these birds are occupying chimneys, they produce similar sounds as bats do. Many homeowners think they have a bat infestation when really, they actually have Chimney Swifts.

Other times, homeowners believe they have a cockroach or mice infestation, when in fact, it is a bat infestation. This is why it is important to hire a professional wildlife control company for accurate diagnostics and bat removal services. They retain the proper tools, training, and resources to identify a bat problem and provide affordable solutions to get rid of them.

Bat Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for DNR licensed bat removal service in Louisville, Kentucky today. We offer a wide range of bat removal and control services at the most competitive prices in town. Our highly trained and certified wildlife rescue contractors only use safe, non-lethal methods to extract bats and prevent them from returning. We also offer bat cleanup services. Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional bat removal and control services in Louisville, KY and its surrounding counties.

Use These Common Kitchen Spices to Keep Bats Away

Posted on by

Bats are a wonderful advantage to us, being nature’s number one most effective insecticide. Bats consume millions of insects each night, eating their entire body weight in insects and more! They help keep our backyards, bon fires, camp grounds, and more, bug-free and comfortable! But bats can pose a problem for us as well, that is, if they find their way into the exterior or interior areas of our homes.

Bat infestations can cause costly structural damages and more, and it is no secret that bats can carry and spread infectious diseases like the Rabies virus. Also, their bat droppings grow spores that can cause a respiratory illness called Histoplasmosis.

They are helpful in nature, but a problem-pest in our homes. For this reason, it is wise to take action in order to keep bats away from your property. One effective precautionary trick to keeping bats away is using spices from your very own kitchen! Bats do not like certain scents, and some spices irritate their senses so they steer clear from their vicinity. These spices can be used to protect your property from regular bat presence and problems. Continue reading to learn which spices bats do not like and how to use them to keep bats away.

Organic Bat-Proofing Spices and Smells

Simply use these ordinary kitchen spices to create a perimeter around your property, or around any area you know bats have been more than once (i.e. entry points, hangout areas, etc.). Sprinkle a generous amount of one spice, or a combination of multiple spices, to create a boundary between your home and the bats. Bats will not like these smells and go other places that do not irritate their senses, remembering to not come back to your area.

Here are some spices that will do the trick!

• Menthol
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Chili Powder
• Spearmint
• Cayenne Pepper
• Mint Extract
• Menthol Cough Drops (crushed)

If you have a bat infestation or bat problem, call a local bat removal and control company for safe and humane exclusion services you can trust. They retain the proper licenses, tools, and training to efficiently and effectively remove bats without killing or harming them. It is illegal to kill, poison, fumigate, or harm bats in anyway. It is strongly recommended to leave bat exclusion in the hands of experienced professionals.

Bat Removal in Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for professional bat removal and control services in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding counties. We offer a wide range of bat exclusion services for both residential and commercial properties. And our prices are the most competitive in town! Call 502-553-7622 and speak with a DNR licensed and insured Louisville bat removal and control specialist about getting rid of bats in your home or property.

Will My Homeowners’ Insurance Pay for Bat Removal Services?

Posted on by

It is very expensive to repair damages from a long-term bat infestation in your home. Bats can cause a substantial amount of damage; in even a short amount of time. Bat Removal Companies do offer services to repair these damages; such as bat proofing, Histoplasmosis mitigation, bat guano cleanup, exclusion, and more.

The extent of time the bats were in the home, plus the degree of damage incurred, will roughly determine the cost of the repairs, renovations, and exclusion services. Once a professional Bat Control Company inspects the property and begins their exclusion process; can they accurately convey if there will be more unexpected costs.

Usually at this point, homeowners are sweating the total bill. How can they pay for all these repairs and services? Insurance is usually a first thought. Interestingly enough, many homeowners are in the dark on whether or not their home is covered on bat damages. Continue reading to learn more about standard homeowners’ insurance policies in relation to bat removal services and repairs.

Bat Removal Insurance Policies

Animal damages are not typically covered by home insurance plans. They imply that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to prevent animal infestations, and to eradicate them on their own before damages accumulate. If an extensive amount of damage occurs, it is considered the homeowner’s burden for not tending to the situation before it got too bad. The insurance companies call pest and animal infestations “maintenance issues”, which are not covered in many policies. Regularly inspect your home for problems like these; to prevent future costly repairs that won’t be covered by insurance.

Bat Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call Bat Removal Louisville Kentucky at 502-553-7622 for superior bat cleanup and attic restoration services you can afford. We are highly trained and certified bat control specialists with over 20 years of experience in the bat exclusion industry. We offer a wide variety of services; such as bat removal, bat cleanup, bat proofing, inspections, repairs, and more. Call 502-553-7622 to speak with a DNR licensed bat exclusion professional about getting rid of bats in the attic in Louisville, KY fast!

Popular Bat Guano Fertilizers on the Market

Posted on by

Last month we discussed how bat guano is used as a fertilizer for gardens, crops, flora, and more. So now that you know that guano is a known, effective fertilizer, you might want to know which kind to buy! In this blog, we’ll point out a few of the most popular and effective bat guano fertilizers on the market, and the qualities that make them so great. Continue reading for a list of recommended bat guano fertilizer products and brand names for better growing and gardening at home.

Smart Natural’s Happy Frog Potting Soil

This fine-screened potting soil is a light-textured and rich fertilizer, containing bat guano, earthworm castings, forest humus, microbes, fungi, and more, and comes ready to use for indoors or out. It’s well aerated, abundant in nutrients, and pH balanced to get the best possible results. You can expect to see this product come store-ready in 51.4 quart bags that range in price from $45 to $55, depending on the retailer.

Greenbelt Organics Bat Guano Fertilizer

This odorless, easy-to-use, indoor or outdoor bat guano fertilizer is one hundred percent organic. And it is guaranteed to never burn. It is formulated with high amounts of phosphate to enhance blooming and taste. It is biodegradable, building and cleaning the soil with special microbes and microorganisms. It is the perfect fertilizer for lawns and potted plants. You can expect a 2 pound bag to cost anywhere from 8 to 10 dollars.

Sunleaves Indonesian Bat Guano Fertilizer

Another highly-rated and reviewed bat guano fertilizer, the Sunleaves brand has much to offer gardeners. This dry fertilizer can be diluted in water or applied directly to soil for enhanced blooms and root growth. It has a high phosphorous potency, making it very effective. An 11 pound bag will cost anywhere between $25and $35.

Although bat guano is beneficial in our gardens, it is quite the opposite in our attics or other areas in our homes. If you notice bat droppings anywhere on or inside your property, you may have bat activity nearby. It is best to stop a bat problem before it becomes a costly mess. Contact a licensed bat removal service to get rid of bats and clean up bat guano messes in your home.

Bat Removal in Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane bat removal in Louisville, Kentucky or its surrounding counties. We are DNR licensed bat removal and control contractors with decades of experience providing residential and commercial work. Aside from bat removal, our highly trained contractors provide bat cleanup services, bat proofing, preventative maintenance, and even minor attic restorations and repairs. Call 502-553-7622 for Louisville bat removal services you can trust.

Can Bat Guano Be Used as Fertilizer?

Posted on by

The feces of bats is called guano. It is known for its soil-enriching qualities, which is why many cultures and societies use it for fertilizer. Bat guano can also be used for several other purposes, like gun powder and arguably, women’s mascara. But fertilization is predominantly the most sought-after quality of bat manure. Continue reading to learn how bat guano is used as fertilizer, how it works, and why so many gardeners and cultivators are interested in its benefits.

Plant-Growing Nutrients

Guano is a fantastic fertilizer because it contains high traces of three primary plant-growing nutrients. These nutrients are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate. For this reason, bat droppings make the perfect fertilizer. Additional benefits of using bat dung for a fertilizer is that it works fast, it has minimal odor, and it is easy to work into the soil. On top of fertilization, bat guano is also highly effective for conditioning soil, fungal protection, and even improving soil drainage and texture. Bat manure can also be used to control nematodes in the soil, as well as, a compost material to activate decomposition.

Fertilizing with Bat Guano

To use bat guano as a fertilizer, simply add a small amount on top of soil, and work it into the top layers. In contrast to regular fertilizer or manure, bat guano is so enriched with nutrients, less is needed for the process to work. It is perfect for lawns, grass, greens, and plants. You can obtain guano is fresh form, or in a dried form. Both have been proven effective in all areas of lawn and garden fertilization.

Bat Problems

Although bat guano is a highly-purposely natural resource, that does not mean we want to see it all over our properties and inside our homes! Bats are wonderful assets to our surrounding eco-system, but they can become nuisance wildlife in the presence of residential and city areas. If you suspect you have bats in the attic, or a bat problem on your property, contact a local Bat Removal Company for prompt and professional bat exclusion services. Be sure to use a service that only uses safe and humane methods to remove bats and prevent their return. Bats should never be harmed or killed for no reason.

Bat Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional bat removal and control services in Louisville, Kentucky. We are highly trained and DNR licensed wildlife rescue and control contractors with over 25 years of experience in the industry. We only use safe and humane methods to extract bats and relocate them to faraway and safe habitats. Call 502-553-7622 to learn more about our Louisville bat removal services, prices, and availability. We offer residential and commercial bat control services at the most competitive prices in town.

White-Nose Syndrome is a Dangerous Disease in the Bat World

Posted on by

Bats are prone to various illnesses and diseases, just as all living creatures. But there is a disease that seems to only target cave-dwelling, hibernating bats. This disease is called White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) and it has killed thousands of bats. It was first discovered in early 2007 in New York. Bats at that time started evincing unusual behavior, like neglecting to hibernate or remaining active during the daytime in cold weather. This was an indication to scientists and researchers that something wasn’t quite right. After years of liberal investigation and testing, White-Nose Syndrome was given a name.

It started in the Northeastern parts of the United States, and continues to spread to the central parts to this day. More than 25 states have been infected by this disease since winter 2008, as well as, a handful of Canadian provinces. White-Nose Syndrome causes a growth of white fungus all over a bat’s body, including the ears, muzzle, and wings. This is where the name, “White-Nose” comes from.

When a bat is infected with White-Nose Syndrome, on top of white fungus growth on its wings and muzzle, it might also demonstrate certain signs and symptoms. For example, when scientists are determining whether or not a bat is infected, they will look for microscopic pattern of skin erosion, but they will also consider a bat’s behavior as another key identifier of the disease. When bats are not hibernating as they should, or flying far from their roosts in cold or hazardous weather, they are showing common signs of the syndrome. This doesn’t mean that all bats flying far from their hibernation roosts in cold weather are infected, it simply means that infected bats often evince this particular behavior. Severe emaciation is another indicator.

Several organizations and governmental departments are working together to stop this disease from plaguing even more bat colonies than it already has. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ivy league collegiate teams, and more have all collaborated to find a means to control this disease.

Bat Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for bat removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky today. We are highly trained and DNR licensed wildlife control contractors with decades of experience in the bat removal industry. We use safe and humane methods to remove bats and prevent their return, never killing or harming them in any way. Call 502-553-7622 for more information about bat removal services in Louisville, KY and its surrounding counties.