Fun Facts About Vampire Bats

In the spirit of the Halloween weekend, let’s talk about the spookiest-known bat species on the planet known as Vampire bats! Actually, Vampire bats are not as scary as their reputation paints them to be, as they are very misunderstood. Many people believe Vampire bats will attack, and possibly even suck their blood! But the truth is that they would never do that, to a human at least. Furthermore, as a Hoosier, you don’t have to worry since you won’t likely find this particular bat species in Indiana. Vampire bats are native to Central and South America, in areas like Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina.

For some added Halloween fun this year, learn some of these fascinating and frightful facts about the Vampire bat, including how it drinks blood!

A Vampire Bat Hanging in a Chilean Cave
A Vampire Bat Hanging in a Chilean Cave

Vampire Bat Facts That’ll Make You Shiver

Although there are several creatures on this planet that exhibit traits of a sanguinivorous lifestyle (consuming vertebrate blood), there are only 3 mammals that do so, all of which make up the Vampire bat species. These include the Common Vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the Hairy-Legged Vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata), and the White-Winged Vampire bat (Diaemus youngi). These are Leaf-Nosed that bats feed entirely on blood; a dietary trait called hemotophagy.

But do not fear, they are not after human blood like the movies suggest. Instead, vampire bats consume the blood of other type of mammals. The common vampire bat prefers the blood of cows and horses, while the other two species of Vampire bat feed mostly on pigs, goats, and birds.

Vampire bats do not use echolocation to hunt. They always approach their prey from the ground and hunt at the darkest part of night. They crawl onto their prey and make a small bite with their razor-sharp teeth above a vein. As blood oozes out of the small bite they made, they lap up the blood for up to thirty minutes. This does not hurt the host at all. Some do not even notice.

It’s like giving blood without the lollipop at the end! They have a special chemical in their saliva that acts as an anticoagulant or blood thinner. The chemical prevents the blood from clotting while the bat feeds. Bats also have a special sensor in their noses that detects heat, allowing them to easily locate a reliable vein in their prey.

What to Do About Nuisance Bats

If you have a bat problem near your property, call a wildlife removal contractor for professional bat removal and control services. Never trap, harm, or kill bats. Professionals retain the proper licensing, tools, and training to safely remove bats and prevent their return.

Indianapolis Indiana Bat Removal and Control Service

Call 317-535-4605 for professional, DNR licensed bat removal and control in Indianapolis and Central Indiana. We provide safe and humane solutions for nuisance bat problems on residential and commercial properties. Our DNR licensed contractors provide bat removal, bat proofing, bat cleanup, emergency service, and restorations for bat damages. Call 317-535-4605 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis bat removal services, today.

Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605
Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605

Why Choose Bat Removal Indiana to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic

Common signs of bats in the attic include hearing strange noises inside walls or ceilings, such as chattering, squealing, squeaking, fluttering, and similar sounds. You can also assume bats are nearby if you smell strange odors coming from inside the living areas of your house. This is indicative of a bat infestation that has gone on for a long time. Along with odors, you might spot brown or yellow stains on ceilings or walls as a result of their urine and droppings. Even though bats can be a nuisance and cause damage to our homes, if you find one on your property, it is critical that the situation is handled with care by an expert bat exclusion service.

Continue reading to learn why you should choose the DNR licensed pros at Bat Removal Indiana to get rid of bats in the attic of your Indianapolis home.

Indiana Bat Removal and Control
Indiana Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Bat Removal and Control for Hoosiers All Throughout Central Indiana

Our DNR licensed bat removal specialists provide 24 hour bat removal and control for all of Indianapolis, and throughout Central Indiana. Our services include bat removal, bat exclusion, 24 hour emergency service, full property inspections, integrated pest management, dead bat removal, bat cleanup and restoration, post service checkups, bat relocation services, and much more. Whether commercial or residential, our licensed and insured bat removal specialists are fully-equipped and staffed to manage any job regardless of size or scope. We have the latest technologies and state of the art equipment, as well as 25 years of hands-on training, to deliver safe and humane bat removal in a time frame that’s convenient for you.

As a family owned and operated business, you can trust us for the most competitive prices in town. We understand the value of a dollar, so we maintain economy-based prices so that all property owners can afford to repair and protect their investments from bat damage. We even work alongside several insurance companies to complete homeowners’ insurance claim restorations for bat damages. Not only do we provide safe, non-lethal bat removal services, we adhere to all industry-accepted standards and best practices, as well as operate within all local, state, and federal laws that govern wildlife. You can trust us to protect you, your family, your home, and the bats!

Affordable Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control Services for Residential and Commercial Properties

Call our office at 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional Indianapolis bat removal services you can afford. We offer 24 hour bat removal services for emergencies, which would include Indiana bats in the house. Request a free estimate or bat control advice, anytime.

Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605
Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605

Here’s Why You Have a Bat Problem on Your Property

Bats are not mysterious animals. They are mammals that we know much about. So, if you have a nuisance bat problem in or around your property, we can mostly likely tell you why. Continue reading to learn some pertinent facts about bats, including what attracts them to a property.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605
Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Why Bats Like Your House

Bats do not choose to locate in an area for no good reason. Bats like certain properties more than others because of what they have to offer. Most of all, bats are looking for areas that have a water source, ample food, privacy, security from predators, and climate control. In detail, here are the main features and conditions that attract bats to a house or commercial property:

There was Space. There is an area of your property that has ample space for bats to rest, such as accessible wall voids, crawl spaces, attics, vents, and similar places.

There is a Body of Water. Your property is located directly nearby a body of water, such as a lake, pond, river, creek, or stream. All mammals need water, and bats are not different.

There is Food. Your property has a lot of bugs. Bats are insectivores, and eat small flying insects, like mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, flies, and more.

Your Property is Structurally Vulnerable. Your property has small holes, gaps, and openings that bats can squeeze through to access inside. They only need 3/8th of an inch!

How to Solve a Nuisance Bat Problem

Bats are ecologically important, plus beneficial to our economy. They are also protected under local and federal laws that govern wildlife, some of which even being listed as an endangered species. For these reasons and more, bat abatement should never be implemented by anyone other than a licensed wildlife control professional. To resolve your bat issue, contact an Indianapolis bat removal and control company for help. See our blog, “Nuisance Bat Control in 3 Steps or Less” to learn how you can do your part to control nuisance bat activity around your house or building.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control Services at Affordable Prices

Call 317-535-4605 for professional, DNR licensed bat removal and control in Indianapolis and Central Indiana. We provide safe and humane solutions for nuisance bat problems on residential and commercial properties. Our DNR licensed contractors provide bat removal, bat proofing, bat cleanup, emergency service, and restorations for bat damages. Call 317-535-4605 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis bat removal and control, today.

Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605
Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605

The Fastest Way to Get Rid of Bats in the Home

Bats are a wonderful asset to nature, however, when it comes to our homes, we prefer them to stay far away. It is a common call for pest and animal control technicians to remove bats from residential properties because they have somehow gained access inside a family’s personal space. Bats can be very destructive when it comes to our attics and other areas of a house. It is important to learn how to identify a bat control issues within your home or around your property before the damages accumulate to mass amounts.

Continue reading to learn about bat control, how to determine if you have a bat infestation, and what to do if you discover bats in or around your residential property.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605
Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605

The Most Common Signs of a Bat Infestation

When a home or property is infested with bats, there are various tell-tale signs that prove they could be living and nesting nearby. Although bats are excellent insect control, eating thousands of insects per night; they are also pest themselves when it comes to the exterior of our homes. Bats can use gutters, rooftops, windowsills, and more to roost and make their nests.

If you see large nest-like structures in these areas, then most likely, you have a bat or other animal living there. Bats are also known to use playgrounds, jungle gyms, sheds, garages, and objects covered with tarps as roosting spots.  These are common areas to examine if you suspect there may be a bat infestation on the exterior of your home and property.

When it comes to the interior of a home, there are similar signs like the ones mentioned above; however, there are several other indications of bat invasion too. For example, many homeowners discover a bat infestation just by recognizing a foul or faint odor throughout the house, or certain areas of the home. This is caused by a mass accumulation of bat droppings and waste. Not only do bat guano and urine stink, their food wastes and leftovers spoil and rot causing foul odors in the inhabited area.

Besides odor, there are other warnings of bat invasion. Strange noises at night from within the house could be bats communicating and interacting during their active hours. Also, strange blackish-brown stains around holes or openings in a home could be caused from the oils in a bat’s fur rubbing off with each entry and exit.

How to Get Rid of Bats in the House

To get rid of a bat problem, one must first determine that the suspected culprit is indeed a bat.  Once this is figured out, a person can implement some “do-it-yourself” strategies to get rid of bats. One way to accomplish this is to bat-proof your home. For example, you can remove all the outside water sources, turn off or remove outdoor lighting, close up any obvious entry and exit points that bats can use, or choose to install a bat house on the exterior of your property to give bats an alternative option for roosting.

The most effective way to solve a bat problem is to consult a professional in the animal control industry, preferably a bat specialist. They retain the necessary insurance, training, equipment, licenses, tools, and knowledge to professional manage bat invasions, damages, and more.  If bats have impaired the structural integrity of your home, it is highly recommended to call a professional bat removal and control company for affordable and safe restorations.

Bat Damages and Restoration Services

When bats invade a home, there are several damages they are capable of. For example, bat urine and guano can over-accumulate, saturating particle board, sheet rock, insulation, dry wall, ceilings, carpeting, hardwood flooring, and much more. Theses restorations can add up quickly when it comes to your budget. This is why it is crucial to manage a bat infestation issue right away, before the damages become too expensive.

Other than structural damage, bats can spread disease and bugs.  Bat mites are a very common threat for homes with a bat infestation. Bat mites are similar to lice or scabies, and can be a troubling ailment to get rid of. They can affect adults, children, and even household pets. Another possible infectious disease caused from bat invasions is called Histoplasmosis. It is a respiratory illness caused from the inhalation of poisonous spores from bat guano. 

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control Assistance You Can Afford

Call 317-535-4605 for safe and affordable Indianapolis bat removal removal services you can trust. We are DNR licensed wildlife rescue and control professionals who specialize in a wide range of non-lethal residential and commercial bat abatement services. We only use safe and humane methods to extract bats and prevent their return, and offer the most competitive prices in town. Request a free estimate, today.

Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605
Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605

The Difference Between Big Brown Bats and Little Brown Bats

Two of the most common microbats found in the surrounding Indiana regions are the Little Brown bat and the Big Brown bat. Although they share sister names, they are quite different from one another in terms of biology. Continue reading to learn some fun and informative facts about both species of microbat, as well as, what you should do if you ever find a bat in the house or other area of your property.

Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605
Big Brown Bat

Big Brown Bat

The Big Brown bat may look like the Little Brown bat, but they are a different species, and just a tad larger, as the names implies. Adult bats have an average wingspan of 13 to 16 inches, and a body length of 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches. They are a little bigger as you can see! The rest of their biology and behaviors are the same, with just slight differences.

Their fur is the same as Little Brown bats, ranging in colors from dark browns to reddish hues and lighter-colored bellies. Gestation periods and breeding are the same for both species, as well. Females carry their young for 60 days, before giving birth to a single bat pup each year.

Mating season usually begins in early fall, while birthing season starts in May and continues through June. After 14 days in their mother’s care, bat pups are weaned from milk and taught to fly and hunt for insects. In contrast to Little Brown bats, Big Brown bats tend to roost in smaller colonies, ranging from as little as 20 bats, up to 500 or more.

Little Brown Bat

Adult Little Brown bats have an average wingspan of 9 to 11 inches, and a body length of 2 1/2 to 4 inches. They are small! Their fur ranges in colors of dark browns to reddish browns, with lighter-colored, pale tan bellies. Females carry their young for 60 days, before giving birth to a single bat pup each year. Mating season usually begins in early fall, while birthing season starts in May and continues through July.

After 14 days in their mother’s care, bat pups are weaned from milk and taught to fly and hunt for insects. Little Brown bats, like all bats, are nocturnal, which means they are active from dusk until dawn. Generally, this bat species remain in large numbers, with colonies reaching hundreds or even thousands of bats in some regions.

Typically, Little Brown bats roost in hollowed tree cavities, abandoned mines, caves, log piles, and similar private areas. They are a hibernating species, so in winter, they either migrate to winter roosts, or hibernate in caves, rock crevices, storm sewers, and if they can access them, our attics!

As insectivores, Little Brown bats hunt for mosquitoes, gnats, moths, crane flies, beetles, mayflies, and other small flying insects. A single bat can consume more than 1,000 flying bugs in just one night! That is excellent pest control, and it’s free!

Indianapolis Bat Control Assistance

Call 317-535-4605 for safe bat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We are DNR licensed wildlife rescue and control professionals who specialize in a wide range of non-lethal residential and commercial bat abatement services. We only use safe and humane methods to extract bats and prevent their return, and offer the most competitive prices in town. Request a free estimate, today.

Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605
Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605

5 Areas of a House That Might Be Infested With Bats

Although bats have high ecological value, we do not one them roosting around our properties.  They can cause a range of structural damages inside and outside, and pose a long list of health and safety hazards. For these reasons and more, it is in your best interest to resolve a nuisance about problem before it can get worse. One of the best ways to protect your home from nuisance bad infestations is to implement routine inspections of your property.

Start with some of the more common areas bats like to hide, including these 5, below.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control
Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Attics

Bats love the dark warm climate of an attic space, which is why you typically find colonies roosting here. Attics are one of the first places professional bat abatement specialists check when they are implementing a property inspection for bat activity. After the sun sets, the air currents come in through the vents, cooling the attic down. Bats are sensitive to such air currents, so they awaken them every evening when it is time to go hunt for insects. The cycle continues until an extraction is performed.

Crawl Spaces

Crawl spaces are another common place to find roosting bats, and for much of the same reasons you find them in attics. Crawl spaces are dark and warm, making for a cozy spot to rest during the day. They are also accessible through gaps and openings high in the house, or through conduits and utility vents.

Chimneys

Chimneys are very common spot for bats to roost, particularly because they are so easy to access. They can also crawl down from the fireplace through a wall, crack, or gap. The most common signs for bats and chimneys are seeing accumulations of guano (bat droppings) around the structure.

Roofs

Bats are also known to choose rooftops for roosting. They particularly target the corners of a roof, near the vents in the upper siding or the roofing and louvers. Bats will also roost underneath shingles, especially in tile roofing systems. This can cause all sorts of damage, including missing shingles, cracks, water leaks, and more.

Log Piles

Although you wouldn’t suspect it, bats enjoy the warm and cozy privacy that log piles offer. They are very easy to access, and often go unsupervised and unused for weeks at a time. This can be somewhat dangerous if a bat is surprised by searching fingers reaching for a fire pit log. It can also pose a problem with disease, and put your home at a higher risk of interior bat infestations.

What To Do if You Find Bats

If you discover bats living in or around your property, it is important to immediately separate yourself and your loved ones (including cats and dogs) from the vicinity of their roosting area. Under no circumstance should you ever attempt to touch or trap a wild bat. Your next step is to contact a licensed Indiana bat removal and control company for emergency bat extraction services. Whether day or night, skilled professionals have the experience and resources necessary to safely remove bats from any location, at any time.

Indianapolis Bat Control Assistance You Can Afford

Call 317-535-4605 for professional Indianapolis bat removal services you can trust. We are DNR licensed wildlife rescue and control professionals who specialize in a wide range of residential and commercial bat abatement services. We only use safe and humane methods to extract bats and prevent their return, and offer the most competitive prices in town. Request a free estimate, today.

Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605
Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605

Are Bats Still Hibernating?

Bats greatly rely on the biological instinct of hibernation, also known as hibernacula, to help survive the harsh conditions of winter. In fact, the word hibernation comes from the Latin word hibernare, which literally means to pass the winter. During hibernacula, bats enter into a stasis called torpor, in which major metabolic changes take place, including a reduction in body temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate.

Although many animals hibernate for the winter, bats in particular happen to be experts. However, this does not mean they take advantage of their hibernacula abilities; as soon as conditions are right, bats will come out of torpor and integrate back into the Eco-system for spring, summer, and fall.

But when does this actually take place? How long do bats stay in hibernation? Continue reading to find out!

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605
Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Hibernation Periods of Indiana Bats

One of the most common hibernating species of bat is called the Indiana bat, or Myotis Sodalis. The first of its kind was discovered in 1904, in Wyandotte Cave in Southern Indiana, hence the name “Indiana” bat. Their scientific name, Myotis Sodalis, is quite fitting since Myotis means mouse ears, which happens to be an accurate depiction of the Indiana bat, whose ears are small and mouse-like. The latter term, Sodalis means companion, which also fits because they are a very social and collective species. They form large colonies and cluster together when it comes time to hibernate.

An interesting fact about a bat’s hibernacula is that they accumulate and store a particular type of fat cells called “brown fat” on their backs, shoulder blades, and bellies. This helps them retain proper body heat and energy to survive the hibernation period. Unfortunately, they are an endangered species, so their winter survival has a lot at stake. They usually hibernate for a period of 6 months, and then emerge once late spring arrives. They move to their summer homes, usually in wooded areas.

Nuisance Bat Problems are Real

Unfortunately, climate changes, land over-development, and more can push bats out of their natural habitat, thus forcing them to find shelter in urban and suburban settings. This is how most bats become a nuisance problem for homeowners. If you have a bat problem in or around your property, contact a licensed Indianapolis bat removal company for professional assistance you can trust.

Indianapolis Bat Removal Services You Can Trust

Call 317-535-4605 for affordable Indianapolis bat removal services, solutions, advice, and more. We are highly-trained and DNR licensed bat removal contractors that offer a wide range of non-lethal bat exclusion and extraction services for residential and commercial properties. We also offer bat cleanup, bat damage repair, and bat-proofing services. Call 317-535-4605 for Indianapolis bat removal you can trust.

Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605
Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605

Will Bats Eat My Flowers and Gardens?

With large bat populations native to our state, Hoosiers are naturally concerned about the well-being and safety of their property. Bats are known as nuisance wildlife capable of causing serious structural damage and pose certain health and safety risks. So, although bats are very important parts of our ecosystem and local economies, we do not want them tampering with our homes and edifices. Now that spring is right around the corner, many homeowners are preparing their garden and landscaping plans. But will nuisance bats destroy these yields once they bloom next season? That is not something you will likely have to be concerned about. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that local bats actually support and assist the quality of your gardens and flowers.

Continue reading to learn what bats eat and how they can help your garden grow.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control
Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-535-4605

A Bat’s Diet

Here in Indiana, the category of native bat species are microbats, which belong to the Microchiroptera order, hence their moniker. The most common microbats found in Indiana include the Indiana bat (Myotis Sodalis), Little Brown bat (Myotis Lucifugus), and Big Brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). Additional species in Indiana include the Big-Eared bat, Red bat, Southeastern bat, Hoary bat, Gray bat, Evening bat, Northern bat, Silver-Haired bat, and Pipistrelle bat. Microbats like these are insectivores, which means they eat a diet of insects. So, they will not eat your flowers and your gardens! Instead, they will eat moths, mosquitos, flies, gnats, termites, dragonflies, beetles, wasps, bees, grasshoppers, and many other types of flying insects.

Pest Control Benefits

One single bat can consume up to 1,000 insects in a single night, which is more than their own body weight given that most microbats are less than a few grams. Since bats are not solitary, and live in large colonies, a local bat population can eliminate hundreds of thousands of insects in just one night! Now that is some excellent, built-in pest control! And it’s entirely free of charge! This is a wonderful asset to your flowers and gardens because less insects are pillaging and infesting your crops. Additionally, bat guano (droppings) are a rich, organic fertilizer that can promote hardier, healthier, more vigorous growth in trees, shrubs, flowers, and more. See our blog, “Where Can I Find Bat Guano Fertilizers?” to learn more about using bat guano for your spring gardening goals.

Nuisance Bat Abatement

Now, just because bats are excellent partners for crops, pest control, and economy stimulation, they are still capable of causing damage to your property. For this reason, it is wise to ensure your home is fully-protected against nuisance bat damage and potential infestation. Contact a local and trusted Indiana bat control company for bat exclusion and proofing services you can trust. Once your home is protected, you can let the local bat populations do their work and protect your gardens from nasty bugs!

Indianapolis Bat Control Services You Can Trust

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional Indianapolis bat control services you can trust. We are DNR licensed and insured wildlife control contractors that specialize is safe, non-lethal bat exclusion and extraction services. Whether commercial or residential, we are fully-equipped to extract from any property. We also provide 24 emergency bat removal, dead animal removal, bat proofing, restoration for bat damages, and more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605
Indiana Bat Removal 317-535-4605