Bats
Often judged on their strange appearance and nocturnal habits, bats are feared by many and can be startling when they get into your home. Bats can get into Waco homes through very small cracks (about the size of a dime), so it is absolutely vital to have an expert examine where the bats could be getting into your home, so call Wildlife X Team® Waco. Nesting in your attic may seem innocent enough, but bats' very existence can cause expensive damage. Call Wildlife X Team® Waco today at 817.431.3007 for a bat inspection and let's begin the bat removal process today!
Common Bat Problems in Waco
Bats, despite their size, can cause severe damage, mostly in the form of unpleasant scents. The minimum size of crack needed for them to slip through is roughly the diameter of a dime.
- Large deposits of guano often found in corners of attics
- Presence in chimneys, although sometimes by accident
- Bites or scratches that can lead to potentially fatal diseases
Are Bats Actually Dangerous?
Bats are not inherently dangerous, but like all wildlife animals, they are best left to their natural habitats. The relocation and removal process is also best left to professionals, as bats may bite if threatened. If you are finding signs of bat presence on your property, if you spot one, or if you want to know how to get rid of bats from your attic and chimney, please call our Wildlife X Team® Waco at 817.431.3007 today. We can help you solve your bat problems, now and for good!
Damage That Bats Do to Your Home or Building
Watching bats flutter about at dusk is one of the most fascinating sights in nature. And we are even more pleased to see them “dive-bombing” the insects that annoy us. Did you know a single bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquito-sized insects every hour? That’s anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 insects per night. However, nobody wants their house, especially in their attic, to serve as a roosting site for bats.
Although bats have prominent sharp teeth, they do not chew on building materials compared to many other wild animals like rats, raccoons, and more. However, they can still cause many structural degradations—thanks to their droppings.
In a bat colony, each bat poops between 20 to 30 times daily. That’s about 9,000 bat poops per year for each bat. If the colony size is large, then that’s a lot of droppings (guano) per year. Bat guano can cause a series of problems for homeowners and destroy your attic, including:
- Corrosion to Structures: Bat guano has high levels of uric acid, which can easily erode metal and clay structures. These acids can damage the protective patina of bronze and copper, deteriorating their integrity. Also, these acids can weaken the binders for stones and concrete.
- Weakening Wooden Structures: The uric acid in bat guano can also damage the wood. Upon contact, the fibers in the wood start to expand, and with time, it breaks up. Although this process is slow, failing to deal with the problem ASAP can lead to serious wooden damage. Bat removal experts from Wildlife X Team® Waco can help prevent that from happening.
- Sanitation: Bat guano and urine can also stain walls and ceilings. It can also cause etching on polished surfaces like glass and marble when attempting to remove the waste. What this does is reduce the aesthetic appeal of your home, which can lower its value.
- Bad Odors:The excessive accumulation of guano begins to emit a foul smell. In the attic, the droppings can get entrenched in the insulation and before you realize it, the odor begins to permeate all over the house if nothing is done about it.
- Health Risk: Histoplasmosis is a fungus that lives in the soil, particularly where there is a large accumulation of bat or bird poop. The disease is acquired by inhaling the spore stage of the fungus. When small critters like rats or mice touch the guano, it becomes airborne, making it easy to spread throughout the house. Symptoms of histoplasmosis disease include fever, cough, chills, headache, chest pain, and body aches. If left untreated, it can devolve into serious respiratory and digestive problems and may lead to death.
What to Do if You Have Bats
As you can now see, a bat infestation problem must be dealt with promptly because of their negative impact. Dealing with the infestation on your own is not advisable because of the health risk associated with their droppings. That’s why calling a professional wildlife removal company like Wildlife X Team is usually the best course of action.