Bats are another vertebrate of greatest pest importance to humans and also, roost on or within human structures or nearby. Bats are a nuisance. They can damage/destroy property, eat and contaminate stored food, and/or be of human health importance as disease vectors. Bats can transmit rabies, and their droppings are also a common source of the respiratory fungal disease histoplasmosis. Rats are vectors of food poisoning/Salmonellosis, rat-bite fever, murine typhus, Weil’s Disease and carriers of plague via fleas, etc. In addition, bats have associated ectoparasites such as mites, fleas, etc. which will attack humans.
- Covered with hair, give birth to living young, young nourished on milk secreted by mammary glands, fly on 2 wings consisting of a double membrane stretched across enlarged arm ones and elongated fingers, with very large ears, tan to black in color.
- Depending on the species, length (tip of nose to end of tail) about 2 1/4-7 1/2″ (5.5-18.8 cm), wingspread about 6-15″ (15.2-38 cm), and weight about 1/8-2 1/8 oz (3.1-61 g), for species found in the United States.
North American bats have small eyes and relatively poor vision. However, they use a well-developed system of echolocation (similar to sonar) to avoid bumping into things and to locate and zero in on the tiniest of insects which are their food. Bats are nocturnal mammals. They leave their daytime roost about dusk and usually return before dawn. Most bats hibernate during the winter, but others migrate to warmer climates. Solitary bats usually roost in trees whereas, social bats cluster in caves, hollow trees, buildings, and other protected places. At rest, bats hang head downward. Most bats given birth to 1, or sometimes 2, offspring annually. Some bats live up to 20 years or more. Nearly all North American bats feed on insects.
Proper identification and exclusion methods are necessary for proper control. The trained professionals at Bill Clark Pest Control offer Bat Control services throughout the Southeast Texas region.
Contact the Bugsperts for a free inspection.
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