This time of year, if you look toward the sky around dusk, you have a good chance of spotting bats. Bats flying around your property can be beneficial because they eat insects, including mosquitoes and mayflies, and help the ecosystem as pollinators. But when these animals find a way into the house, they can cause numerous problems.
This blog will explain more about bats, including how to tell if they are roosting in your home and review the risks they pose to your family. We'll also provide some expert advice on bat-proofing your home. Continue reading to learn more about effective bat control in Dover with the pros at Dependable Pest Solutions.
Habitat And Roosting Patterns: Locating And Identifying Bat Dwellings
Two species of bats frequently invade homes in New Hampshire, the little brown bat and the big brown bat. It's common to find bats in the attic of local dwellings, using the space as a daytime roost or a maternity colony. Mother bats tend to roost together to raise their young, and the heat inside an attic during the summer provides the perfect conditions for their pups to grow faster.
You can usually confirm an infestation in the house by watching the roofline at dusk to see them leaving to hunt. Or, you may hear strange noises from the attic or notice a musty, ammonia-like smell from their urine and droppings (guano). If you suspect bats are roosting in your home, contact us today at Dependable Pest Solutions for help removing them and preventing them from getting back inside.
Understanding The Risks: Safety Concerns Of Bat Infestations
Movies and myths cause a lot of people to believe bats in Dover are violent animals that will attack and bite without provocation. Like most wild animals, bats will bite to defend themselves, but they generally try to avoid contact with people. While most of the legend around bats isn't true, there are still several safety concerns to be aware of if they're infesting your, including:
- Bats sometimes carry rabies, and even a minor scratch or bite will require a person to get rabies shots.
- Bat droppings contain fungi that cause a lung disease called histoplasmosis.
- As bat droppings in the attic pile up, they can eventually cause the ceiling to cave in.
- The smell of bat droppings will encourage other bats to invade the house and attract pests like cockroaches.
Attempting to remove bats on your own is dangerous and highly discouraged because of the risk of rabies and exposure to histoplasmosis. Contact us today at Dependable Pest Solutions for assistance in safely getting bats out of the house and keeping them out.
Bat-Proofing Your Home: Strategies To Keep Bats At Bay
Exclusion is the only effective long-term strategy to prevent bats in the house. The following tips can help you to bat-proof your home to ensure they won't come back:
- Install door sweeps, including on attic and basement doors.
- Seal cracks and crevices with steel wool or caulk.
- Screen attic vents and install a cap on the chimney.
- Ensure all of your windows and doors have a tight seal.
The experts at Dependable Pest Solutions can assist with exclusion and humane bat control. Contact us today with any questions about our prevention services or to schedule an appointment.
Hiring Professional Bat Services: Peace of Mind And Long-Term Results
Professional bat removal services are the safest and most effective way to handle an infestation. Contact the pros at Dependable Pest Solutions today to learn more about our bat control solutions or to request your free inspection.