Bats play a vital role in controlling insect populations. We want bats to feed outdoors as much as possible. They are nature’s pest control. But bats can also become a pest problem of their own, especially when they live either inside of a property, or in the siding of a property. When that happens, it becomes important to contact a trained bat control company, like Local Pest in Vancouver and Victoria.
Why Are Bats a Pest Problem?
The main reason people fear rats is risk of rabies. But while rabies is present in some bat populations, it is not necessarily much of a concern compared to other bat-related issues. Indeed, bats are at far less of a risk for rabies than most other pests (though they can still get them) and are highly unlikely to bite humans.
But there are many other issues that can be caused by bats. These include:
- Disease – Bat guano can spread histoplasmosis, a disease that damages the lungs. The young, elderly, and those with immune disorders are particularly at risk.
- Parasites – Mites and ticks can easily live on and drop off bats and start bothering humans with itchy rashes and bites.
- Structural Damage – The urine and guano from a bat colony can quickly accumulate, ruining insulation, wood, and sheet rock.
The presence of bats can cause serious property devaluation. It’s in the property owner’s best interest to treat an infestation as quickly as possible.
How To Tell If Your Building Has Bats
Bats are drawn to dark, sheltered, elevated areas in buildings. Almost any commercial property can be vulnerable to a bat problem, including:
- Warehouses
- Office Buildings
- Schools
- Retail Stores, and more
One of the most obvious signs of a bat problem is the presence of bats. Not all bat species live in colonies, but if you regularly see any flying in or around your building it is possible that the property could be playing host to bats. Other, more subtle signs of a bat infestation include:
- Noise at Night – Bats are nocturnal and so are most likely to be heard squeaking or scratching against the walls at night.
- Odor – Bat droppings and urine smell strongly of ammonia.
- Stains – Entry points can be found often by identifying the oily stains around the hole left by bats’ backs rubbing against the sides.
- Droppings – Bat droppings tend to look like mouse droppings, in that they are small and ovular. One way that they may stand out, however, is that they may be concentrated in one spot, and if you look above you may see lines of yellow (bat guano), almost like dried juice, that indicate a bat may be living above it.
It’s important to regularly check your property for potential signs of a pest problem. It’s not uncommon for the presence of pests like bats to be overlooked, because they’re usually away from view, with few signs of their presence, and primarily active at night.
How Local Pest Treats Bat Infestations
In many areas bats are a protected species. This means they can’t be trapped, killed, or handled in any way by the general public. Removing bats safely requires specialized skills and knowledge only pest control professionals like Local Pest have.
Our technicians humanely address bat infestations by:
- Inspecting the property and finding the bats’ entry points
- Installing exclusion devices so the bats can exit the building but not re-enter
- Clean up and repair unsafe damage caused by the bats
- Protect the property against future infestations
Local Pest has helped treat bat problems for commercial properties across the Vancouver and Victoria areas. Contact us today for help with yours.
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