As pests go, bats are far from the worst. They aren't typically aggressive but eat insects and assist in pollinating flowers. However, they can cause issues and should not be in your house. Humane bat control is imperative, as these mammals are an important part of the ecosystem. This article will examine some interesting and helpful facts about bats and discuss how pest control in Omaha can help you handle any bat problems you may encounter.
Commonly Told Myths About The Bats In Omaha
You may have been told as a child that if you stayed out too late at night, you might get bats caught in your hair. Bats use echolocation to sense the presence of objects around them. This process is precise enough to detect tiny insects, so it is unlikely they will run into you by accident. The phrase "as blind as a bat" is quite misleading, as bats can see very well; they are just using their ears to see rather than their eyes. Another common myth is that bats are naturally hostile to humans and will attack them without a good reason. Most species of bats eat small insects like flies and mosquitoes, and while they will bite if threatened or roughly handled, they will not go out of their way to harm humans. While they do bear some external similarities, bats are not rodents.
The Common Bat's Diet
There are more than 1,300 different species of bats found throughout the world. Roughly 70 percent of all bats subsist on insects as their main form of nourishment. Most of the other species eat fruit. While a few bat species feed on blood, they are very rare, and most people will never encounter one. Most of the fear directed at such bats comes from popular media and the popularity of characters such as Dracula. If you find yourself with bats in your house, it could mean that you have other pests, such as insects, that form a crucial part of the bats' diet. While most bats are not aggressive or harmful, and you can usually guide a single bat out of the house with minimal hassle, they do present some potential risks. As a result, it's often best to contact your local bat control specialists if you find yourself with an active infestation.
Are Bats Dangerous?
Though bats in Omaha are rarely hostile or dangerous on their own, they bring a number of potential risks with them. Bats tend to gather in large groups, and a single bat produces between 20 and 30 droppings per day. These droppings may attract other pests, including cockroaches, and encourage more bats to join the existing ones. Bat droppings also contain a fungus that can cause histoplasmosis, a lung disease that may have lasting effects if not properly treated. A small percentage of bats also carry rabies, which is a disease that can be deadly if not treated. There is no way to tell if a bat is rabid simply by looking at it. Fortunately, you can do a few things to keep bats away from your Omaha home.
These include:
- Examine the exterior of your home at dusk to see where bats are entering and leaving
- Seal any openings in the exterior of your home, especially those that lead to dark, enclosed areas like attics.
- Put screens over your attic vents and install chimney covers.
- Examine attics and crawl spaces for any bats trapped in your house.
- Contact a professional pest control service if you discover a bat infestation.
Once you have a bat infestation, home remedies and exclusion methods aren't going to cut it. Additionally, some states have laws that protect endangered bat species and mandate certain procedures or qualifications for dealing with them.
Let The Professionals Handle Bat Mitigation In Omaha
For the sake of protecting the environment and keeping yourself safe, the most humane bat mitigation option for Omaha homeowners is to contact CP Bat Mitigation. We are bat control specialists with 32 years of experience. We are a family-owned-and-operated business and take pride in our excellent customer service. Every client is different, and we will work with you to find an effective and environmentally responsible solution to your unique situation. As our slogan says, "Every bat needs a home, just not yours." Contact us today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial bat control services in Omaha.