Bats might not be as bad as their reputation, but they aren't usually welcomed visitors. If you find bats on your Yakima property, there are a few things you should do to scare them off and keep them away. Read on to find out what you should do about bat problems on your property.
The Bats In Yakima County
In Washington, there are 15 species of bats. While some of those bats are common, others are rarely seen. If you look up at the night sky, you're most likely to see the little brown bat or the big brown bat. It's much more unusual for Yakima residents to see Townsend's big-eared bat.
Less common than the little or big brown bat is the hoary bat. With a wingspan of 17 inches, this bat is almost the size of a house sparrow.
Whatever species of bat you encounter, you deserve the facts. Bats are amazing creatures, but they can also be dangerous. Any species on your property is one that you should avoid. Most local bats live in trees, but they may roost in attics, chimneys, and other areas of your home as well. They may be drawn to the insects on your property.
The Truth About Bats
Bats aren't the terrible, mythical creatures that some people make them out to be. For instance, some bats are beneficial pollinators. Others are insectivores that keep the insect population in check. In fact, having bats on your property is one way to prevent mosquitoes and other unwanted insects.
Unfortunately, bats come with problems as well. Bats are disease-carriers and can make both people and their pets sick. One of the most well-known diseases transmitted by bats is rabies. Even if bats are in your garage or barn, they pose a risk.
If a bat bites you, there's a chance you could become infected. And while bats aren't aggressive, they will bite when cornered. Typically, bat bites occur when people try to remove them from their property, but at times people can spook bats unintentionally.
How Should You Handle Your Bat Problem?
As mentioned, attempting to remove a bat from your property is dangerous. Unless you have training in bat removal, your relocation effort is likely to result in a bat bite.
There are some actions you can take on your own to deter bats. But you should know that most bat repellent products are ineffective. They simply don't work and are a waste of money.
That said, there are things that you can do on your own to make your property less appealing to bats. For a bat to take up residence in your home, they need to find an entrance. They can go through holes that are ⅜ of an inch or larger, so you should inspect your home for small holes or crevices. If you find any, seal them up to keep bats out.
To deter bats from your attic, you can turn on your attic lights and leave them on for 24 hours or longer. Bats don't like the light and are less likely to reside in a lit space. You can also try leaving a fan on, which makes it difficult for bats to roost.
Working With A Professional
Once bats have decided to roost on your property, there's not much that you can do on your own. Unless you want to risk getting bit and becoming sick, you need to call a professional.
A professional knows how to safely remove bats from your property. Their experience also makes them more than capable of preventing bats from returning in the future.
The safest way to have bats removed from your Yakima property is with the help of the professionals. Call Prosite to learn more today.