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Histoplasmosis and the Hidden Dangers of Bats in Your Attic

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

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

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

What is Histoplasmosis?

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

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

The Link Between Bats and Histoplasmosis

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

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

Histoplasmosis in Kentucky

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

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

Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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

Symptoms

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

  • Fever and chills
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Dry cough
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue

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

Diagnosis and Treatment

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

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

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Preventing Bat Infestations in Your Home

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

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

Why You Need a Professional Wildlife Removal Company

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

Benefits of Professional Bat Removal

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

Secure Your Home and Health

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

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

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

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Related Post: How to Identify a Bat Infestation and Have Them Removed Safely

Should I Be Threatened By the Presence of Bats?

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

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

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Bats should only be handled by licensed professionals.

Disease

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

Structural Damage

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

How to Safely Get Rid of Bats

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

Louisville Bat Removal and Control You Can Trust

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

What is Histoplasmosis?

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Bats are one of nature’s most fascinating mammals. Not only do bats consume thousands of insects each night, their guano is an effective fertilizer used in multiple industries around the world. With all of these positive characteristics in tow, what exactly makes a wild bat so dangerous to humans and pets? The answer is disease. One of the most implicating diseases a person or pet can catch from having bats nearby is called Histoplasmosis.

Continue reading to learn more about Histoplasmosis, and how to protect your home from bat infestations.

Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Infectious Bat Diseases

There are various infectious diseases that bats can contract or carry, which are all hazardous to human and pet immune systems. Bats are known to be carriers of the Rabies virus, Leptospirosis, and even Salmonella. All of these infections can be transferred, transmitted, and passed along to humans and pets; and they are all potentially fatal if left untreated.

Bats can also transmit less serious, but equally frustrating, parasitic conditions, such as lice, bat mites, ticks, fleas, and more. Histoplasmosis is a bit different from the infectious diseases just mentioned since it is not directly contracted by a bat. Instead, Histoplasmosis is indirectly spread by bats through by airborne fungal spores that grow on bat droppings, also known as guano.

Histoplasmosis in Detail

Histoplasmosis is referred to by many names, such as: Spelunker’s Lung, Cave Disease, Darling’s Disease, or scientifically, Reticuloendotheliosis. It is an infectious disease that is contracted by over exposure to bat guano. There is a fungus that grows in guano called Histoplasmosis Capsulatum. The inhalation of these spores within the guano causes flu-like symptoms, like coughing and difficulty breathing. It is not a contagious infection but can be easily contracted if precaution is not taken.

Anyone, child or adult, can contract Histoplasmosis. It is rare for just anyone to get the disease because the fungus is only found in dark, warm areas that bat guano is found. So the more common people to fall victim to the illness are spelunkers, chimney cleaners, cave miners, and people that frequent attics and crawl spaces often.

Because they work in areas that bats may dwell in, they are at risk to inhaling the infection causing spores and falling ill. It is not typically fatal unless a person has severe and long term health complications, such as the elderly. Otherwise, if treated at the first signs of illness, it is no more dangerous than the common cold. In fact, in most cases, it just goes away on its own.

Do You Have Bats in the Attic?

Louisville Bat Removal Kentucky

Louisville Bat Removal 502-553-7622

Call 502-553-7622 for Louisville bat removal and control you can trust. We are DNR licensed and insured bat control contractors who use safe, non-lethal methods of 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.

Bats Cause a Deadly Disease Called Fibrosing Mediastinitus

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

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

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

Fibrosing Mediastinitus

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

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

Louisville Bat Removal

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

Bat Diseases

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Bats can be dangerous to pets and humans. One of the main reasons why this is true has to do with the illnesses and infections that bats can pass along. Bats should be avoided at all costs in order to prevent becoming infected with a harmful disease. Continue reading to learn about the different types of bat diseases and why they are such a threat.

Rabies

This disease is the most common illness associated with bats; especially in Kentucky. Not all bats carry rabies, but it is very common for them to be carriers of the disease. This means, no matter what, assume all bats have rabies in the wild. It is never a good idea to take a chance. Rabies has to be treated with a series of shots and injections to prevent further harm. Pets are common victims of bat bites and attacks, and should be given rabies vaccinations at the time of adoption.

Bat Mites

Much less serious than rabies, but still extremely unpleasant, is bat mites. Many people often mistake a case of bat mites for a case of bed bugs. Both infestations produce the same symptoms; itching, rash, small surface bumps. These mites are tiny little parasites that feed on bats. Treatments include aerosol bombs, insecticide treatments, and professional bat exclusion services.

Histoplasmosis

This is not a disease, but a fungus, that is bred by large accumulations of bat guano, or droppings. The spores can be inhaled and cause serious eye, lung, and other respiratory infections. If you suspect that your home or property has a bat infestation, you may have a Histoplasmosis problem as well. Have the entire vicinity inspected by a professional who retains proper equipment and training to accurately identify bat threats.

For more information about bat diseases, call Bat Removal Louisville at 502-553-7622. We are professional bat exclusion and removal technicians with decades of experience removing bats from residential and commercial properties in Kentucky. Visit our website at https://www.batremovallouisvilleky.com/bat-removal-louisville-ky.php for details about our bat control services in Louisville, KY.

Is Bat Guano Toxic?

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Bat guano is the organic waste matter produced by bats.  When a person spots an area with bat guano accumulation, they can safely suggest there is a bat colony nearby.  Bats typically reside in one area, where they eat and produce waste for as long as they inhabit the space.  Many homeowners suffer the consequences of bat infestation, mostly due to the mass accumulation of bat guano and droppings in their home.  Read on to learn why bat guano is unhealthy and unsafe for humans, and how to get rid of bat guano in your home or commercial building.

Histoplasmosis

Bat guano and bat droppings can be unsafe for humans, especially children.  In bat guano, a fungus called Histoplasmosis Capsulatum grows and gives off toxic spores that we inhale in the air.  These spores can cause infectious lung diseases like Histoplasmosis, Spelunker’s Lung, Cave Disease, Ohio Valley Disease, Reticuloendotheliosis, and Darling’s Disease.  These illnesses have similar symptoms of the common cold or flu.  Cough, fever, sneezing, and difficulty breathing are all signs of Histoplasmosis and other lung diseases.  These illnesses are not contagious, but can be easily and unknowingly contracted through inhaling spores in the air of an infested home or building.

Bat Guano Odor and Stain Detection

Many homeowners begin to suspect bat infestation and guano problems with odor and stain detection.  A common tell-tale sign of long-term bat intrusion is stained walls and strong odor presence within certain areas of the home.  Bat droppings and urine create a very unique smell that experts can detect immediately.  It also stains walls a yellowish and sometimes brown-like color.  If a homeowner comes across this situation, it is suggested that they have their home inspected by a professional bat or animal removal company (not a pest control company) right away.  Long-term bat infestation means there is a large accumulation of bat guano in the infested area of the property.  If odor is detected, inhalation of lung disease-causing spores could have occurred.  A professional company retains the proper equipment and knowledge to accurately and thoroughly inspect a home for babies, colonies, damages, and more.  A reputable company will be licensed and insured to quickly and safely resolve the entire issue, including the inspection.

For more information about bat guano clean up and restoration, call Louisville Bat Removal today!  We are DNR licensed and insured to remove bats and provide repairs and restorations for damages caused by bats.  Our company specializes in bat removal and control, as has been in the bat removal industry for over twenty years.  Call us at 502-553-7622 for details about our Louisville KY Bat Removal Services today!