Summer brings us warm, pleasant nights. It’s rejuvenating to go for evening walks and enjoy the cool breeze, but it’s also the perfect time for some nocturnal hunters. Bats come out in the evening, and you’ve probably seen some fluttering around. Yakima County pest control knows these pests can surprise some homeowners, especially in warmer seasons.
Can Bats Hurt My Family And Pets?
Bats don’t directly target or attack humans, cats, or dogs. If you are out at night, they won’t swoop down like a horror movie. But there is the danger of contamination with these flying pests. Some dangers of bats include:
- Spread of disease
- Histoplasmosis from bat guano
- Infecting pets if cats or dogs hunt and eat them
While bats won’t hurt your cat or dog with an attack, they can pose several problems with their presence. If a pet kills and eats a bat, it can transmit various pathogens, causing serious disease. As well, there’s the danger of bat excrement, known as guano. Their excretion is rife with spores that can release into the air if you or a pet disturbs it. Breathing these spores in can lead to long-term conditions. Even vacuuming bat guano can push these fungal spores into the air. At Prosite, we have bat control specialists for your Yakima County home who will help remove any related materials so you don’t have to touch them.
Do Bats Carry Rabies?
The majority of rabies reports in the United States stem from bats, with an average of two deadly incidents a year. These pests don’t outwardly demonstrate signs of a rabies infection, so a lab test is the only way to reveal any threat. A lot of homeowners want to catch a bat to get these tests done, but as professionals at Prosite, we avidly advise you not to attempt capture on your own. We offer quick-response bat pest control to keep you and your family safe.
Bats spread rabies to pets and people via:
- Scratches
- Bites
- Saliva or brain matter getting into an open wound or your eye
You might find an injured bat on your property. In this case, you shouldn’t try to help it. Injured bats might try to bite as a last defensive effort. This can lead to a rabies infection.
Can Bats Get In My House?
Homeowners might find bats in their house. While these flying pests prefer trees and caves, they are no strangers to sleeping indoors if they manage to get in. Possible locations to find a bat in your house include:
- Attics
- Under rafters
- Cracks in buildings
Even if they aren’t roosting in your house, they might fly in and not be able to find their way out. If this happens, open windows while closing off access to the rest of the house to try to get it to exit without approaching it too closely. Bats in the house might be panicked or confused, making them more prone to scratch you in retaliation. Remember this when thinking of how to control bats in the attic. If they’re roosting there, you might startle them into a frenzy. Do not approach them.
How Do I Get Rid Of The Bats On My Property?
If bats are hanging around on your property, it means they’re finding sufficient food on their nocturnal flights and they have a comfortable place to roost.
How to control bats in the house or on your property:
- Seal cracks on the house exterior and fill in large holes.
- Get rid of their food sources. Gardens can invite many insects that bats like to eat.
- Turn on bright lights to scare them off.
- Call a professional.
At Prosite, we want our customers to be safe. Bats carry disease and can deposit dangerous fungal spores in their droppings. We have the technology and skills that make us the best option for bat control near you. Don’t jeopardize the health of you, your family, or your pets. We are the best way to control bats in Yakima County. Call us today.