Bats In The Attic!

Bats in the attic are a lot more common then most people realize. Bat guano (feces) can accumulate pretty fast and is a breeding ground for a fungal disease called Histoplasmosis, which is transferable to humans who breathe in the fungal spores. Additionally, bats are also known to carry rabies, a viral disease that causes progressive paralysis and in some cases, death in mammals, including humans.

Here is a list of ways to prevent bats in the attic:

• Place screens over attic vents. Don’t not seal them completely; attic vents are necessary to keep the attic from accumulating toxic furnace gases such as carbon monoxide.
• Place a screen over the chimney, especially if it unused.
• Seal up any gaps in windows, siding, ceiling tiles or walls. Use caulk or silicone to seal up cracks in walls. Bats can enter and exit through cracks no wider than one half an inch.
• Keep all your doors and windows shut, especially when it’s dark out
• Make sure screens fit tightly to doors and windows, because bats can enter through holes as small as 3/8-inch (9.5-mm) in diameter. Also, plug any holes around the outside of your house with hardware cloth, aerosol foam insulation or weatherproofing strips.
• Swap your outdoor light bulbs with yellow lights that attract less bugs, which are a primary source of food for bats.
• Install stainless steel chimney caps with quarter-inch (6.35-mm) wire mesh to keep bats from entering furnace vents and chimneys

If you suspect you have bats stake out your home. Sit outside, one person on each side of the house in the evening before dusk. Being nocturnal, bats go out in the evening, just before dark.Watch when dusk falls to see if bats are exiting your house and identify where they exit your house.

If you find you have a bat problem, contact us to schedule a pest inspection today.

About the Author

• Caddie

  Caddie is the pest-fighting feline at Catseye Pest Control. With more than 25 years experience fighting bugs, rodents and nuisance wildlife at residential and commercial properties, he knows the best ways to customize pest control methods to fix your pest problems and prevent future occurrences. When not battling bugs, Caddie can be found at many community events helping raise spirits and funds for local non-profits.

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