Important Facts About Bats | Bat Removal in Lee & Collier Counties
July 17th, 2015
You need to look no further than the Halloween section at your favorite retail store to know that bats are often thought of as frightening or spooky. Though there are many myths about bats, these animals can be quite interesting creatures and are an important part of the local ecosystem. Learning about bats is important to understanding their behaviors and knowing what to do when you encounter a bat infestation in your home or office.
Bat Facts
Bats are located in most regions of the United States and vary in size and color depending on the species. Their bodies are covered with hair, and they have two wings in addition to large ears. Here are some interesting bat facts that will help you better understand bat features and behavior:
- Though there are 980 species of bats world-wide with about 40 commonly found in the United States.
- The three most common bat species that homeowners encounter are the little brown bat, big brown bat, and Mexican free-tailed bat.
- Bats are nocturnal animals. They leave their area at dusk to feed and return to their habitats just before daylight.
- Bats roost in dark and secluded areas of buildings and naturally protected areas like tree cavities and caves.
- Most species of bats are active in warmer parts of the year and hibernate or migrate in the colder months. Since we are in Southwest Florida bat hibernation does not really affect our bat population due to our warm, mild winters.
- The bat maternal season, in which there are extra protections, is April 15th to August 15th each year.
Signs of a Bat Infestation
There are a few signs of a bat infestation. You may see bats leaving your home in the dusk and early evening hours. You may also notice their droppings, which are segmented and include insect parts. Yet another indicator is a black or brown stain near an opening in your home, which may be a sign of the oils that their fur leaves as they enter or leave the opening.
Bats can be a potentially dangerous infestation to control because bats not only cause problems as pests, but they can also create medical concerns, such as rabies and health issues caused by animal droppings. Additionally, bat guano has some of the highest concentrations of Histoplasmosis, which should only be handled by a professional. Therefore, you should seek professional help when trying to control your bat infestation.
Bat Removal and Relocation Services in Lee and Collier County
It is vital to take care when bat-proofing your Lee County home or handling the removal of bats because bats are protected by law in many states, and bat infestations can be tricky to deal with. Though you may be tempted to handle the problem yourself, it is recommended that you seek professional help to ensure the safety of both you and the animals.
The expert team at Alford Wildlife and Pest Management can help you get control of your bat problem. We specialize in the trapping, removal and relocation of nuisance wildlife in homes and businesses across Southwest Florida. Our priority is to safely relocate the animals to a more suitable habitat without injury.
For more information about the company or our bat removal services, feel free to Contact us now.
