Author Archives: batremoval

Myths About North American Bats

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There are many myths and false stereotypes about bats in North America, and even all across the world. Here in this blog, we’ll explore a few of those urban legends and clear up the misunderstandings surrounding these highly important and fascinating mammals.

Common Bat Myths

One common myth is that all bats carry the Rabies virus and infect millions of people around the continent every year. This is far from the truth. The reality is that fewer than 10 people in the last 50 years have been infected with Rabies as a result of a bat bite. Bats typically avoid people, and rarely attack unless cornered or provoked. If you are ever bitten by a bat, all you need to do is consult a doctor and you’ll be just fine.

Another bat urban legend is that some bat species consume blood, namely human blood. This urban legend is not entirely false, just embellished a bit. It is called a vampire bat. They do not actually suck blood, but rather, initiate a bite to a large warm-blooded animal, and then lick up the seeping blood. It is usually cattle that are the common hosts for Vampire bats. They do not bite or consume human blood.

Another common myth concerning bats is that all bats are blind. This is also not true. The misconception comes from the fact that Microbats use echolocation to hunt for insects and food at night. All bats actually see quite well during the day, it’s just that they mostly remain active at night, where they do not count on their eyesight to get around.

Have you ever heard that bats have hundreds of litters of bat babies? Well hopefully not, because this is not the truth. Bats are mammals and have a gestation period of about six months. Once they give birth, it is to usually one bat pup, and in rare cases, it may birth twins. It takes a long time for an entire bat colony to grow. Once bats are grown enough to withstand predators and fly on their own, they can live to almost 30 years!

Many also believe that bat droppings are poisonous. There are some special circumstances to this myth, but for the most part, it is untrue. Bat droppings are referred to as “guano”. Guano is a huge resource for many villages and tribes around the world. People craft household necessities from guano and use it for fertilizer as well. There are many uses for bat guano. However, bat guano can be harmful to ones health if it is digested or inhaled during a sporing stage. This is when fungus species begin to grow on the guano. Around large amounts of guano, people are encouraged to wear face respirators to avoid inhaling the fungus that can cause Histoplasmosis.

The Truth About Bats

Between movies, television, Halloween, and childhood stories, bats have been given an unfair stereotype. They are actually fascinating mammals with a sophisticated system for hunting and flying at night. They breed their young as humans do, having one pup a year; and they have incredible survival skills! They will not fly into your hair or suck your cat’s blood. They are trusting creatures that deserve respect and peace. If they are a nuisance to your property, use a local bat removal service to have them safely excluded.

Indianapolis Bat Removal

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional Indianapolis bat removal and control services. We provide safe and humane bat removal for commercial and residential properties throughout Central Indiana. Trust us to remove bats and prevent their return, all at an affordable price. We are DNR licensed and insured wildlife control contractors with more than 20 years of experience working with nuisance bats. Call 317-535-4605 to get rid of bats in Indianapolis, IN today.

Learn How Bats Navigate the Dark

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Whoever said bats were blind is wrong. Bats are far from blindness! In fact, megabats, like the fruit bat, can see quite well, and have broaden optical visual centers that allow them to navigate during dusk and dawn hours. Microbats, on the other hand, can still see just fine, but do not have the acute vision of their relatives the megabat. For this reason, microbats use different methods for hunting and navigation. Let’s discuss the differences between the two species and how they navigate in the dark, or the day!

Megachiroptera

Megachiroptera, or megabats, are the larger species of bat between the two main species. They are thought to originate from the same ancestor, but somehow evolved separately. Megabats are larger, with pronounced optical centers and an acute sense of smell. This is how they navigate through the daytime, as megabats are not always nocturnal. This is also how they locate and hunt their food. Megabats eat fruit, nectar, pollen, and some small prey, like birds and fish. Certain species of megabat, like Flying Foxes, can also see in color! On the other hand, they sometimes have trouble navigating on moonless nights because they rely on some light to see. Microbats do not have this problem so much because they use a separate method to nighttime navigation.

Microchiroptera

Microchiroptera, or microbats, do not have prominent visual centers that give them the equal visual ability as their cousins, the megabat. Instead, microbats are small, and have poorly developed eyes. In the past, scientists thought microbats only retained rods in the photoreceptors of their retinas, which are used for nighttime vision; but recent studies conclude that microbats also retain cones, for daylight and color vision, but these cones are just not as developed as they are in other mammals. For this reason, microbats use a method called echolocation to navigate in the dark, even though they can see okay during the day.

Echolocation is like a sonar system for bats. As they fly, they emit small beeps that bounce off their nearby surroundings and listen for the beeps to return back to them. This creates a mental grid of their surroundings and allows them to better hunt for food and prey. Microbats eat insects for the most part, but some are known to also drink blood from other animals, like the Vampire Bat. Aside from echolocation, microbats use their regular vision to travel long distances as well.

Bat Removal Indiana

Call Bat Removal Indiana at 317-535-4605 to get rid of bats in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. We are DNR licensed and experienced animal removal contractors that use safe and humane methods to extract bats from residential and commercial properties, and apply proven strategies to prevent their return. Call 317-535-4605 for more information about bat removal and control in Indianapolis, IN today.

3 Reasons You Might Spot a Bat During the Daytime

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Bats are fascinating mammals, in part because they are the only mammals capable of true flight. They are also highly beneficial to our surrounding Eco-systems and provide us hidden advantages many are unaware of; like how they consume more than three times their body weight in insects each night, controlling insect populations and reducing pesky bugs at our backyard barbeques.

Bats are nocturnal, which means they are active after dusk and up until dawn. During this time they are hunting for food and sometimes searching for areas to roost. But just because an animal is nocturnal does not mean we will never see them out and about during the day. There are several reasons why you might spot a bat during the daylight hours, but three primary reasons are generally to blame. Continue reading to learn why a bat could be outside during the daytime, and what to do if you come across a wild bat at any time of day or night.

Illness and Injury

One of the most common reasons why a bat or other nocturnal mammal is out in the open during daytime is due to illness or injury. A sick bat can often times leave their roost, or get confused and lost. They can also lose the ability to fly to return to their roost. The same applies to injury. An injured bat may not be able to fly home, leaving them stranded where they lie. One common illness bats are known carriers of is the Rabies Virus. In developed stages, rabies can cause confusion, erratic behavior, disorientation, and more, which can explain why a bat is active or out during the day. But keep in mind that just because a bat is out during the day does not always mean it is sick or hurt.

Lost From Mother

Another common reason for bats to be found in the daytime is because they have been stranded or separated from their mother and colony. A baby bat will simply lie in waiting until their mother finds and retrieves them, but risks being dinner to a larger predator come nightfall. Sometimes, baby bats fall from their roost high up in a tree, leaving them not only injured but marooned from their mother.

Extreme Summer Temperatures

If a bat colony is roosting somewhere that reaches extreme temperatures on exceptionally hot days, they are known to creep out of their shelter for some cool breeze and relief. One example is a tile roof, especially if the tiles are a darker color like blue or black. Roof tiles can reach temperatures of 150 degrees or more on hot summer days, and if bats are roosting in nearby soffits or attics, they may overheat, causing them to seek relief outdoors. This is a rare situation, but one that does occur.

What To Do

If you spot a bat in the day time, never attempt to approach, touch, trap, harm, or kill it under any circumstances. In fact, this is illegal in most states. It is encouraged to look, watch, and appreciate from afar while letting a wild animal be wild. If you find a sick, injured, or orphaned bat, call a wildlife rescue company right away for safe and humane assistance. They retain the proper licensing, training, and resources to exclude bats and relocate them to a safe and faraway habitat.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for professional Indianapolis bat removal and control services you can afford. We are highly trained and experienced, DNR licensed wildlife rescue contractors that provide non-lethal bat removal services for residential and commercial properties. We also offer bat removal, control, inspections, proofing, prevention, cleanup, and minor attic restoration for bat damages. Call 317-535-4605 to get the best rates for bat removal in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding areas.

Can I Keep a Wild Bat as a Pet?

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With so many pets to choose from these days, more and more people are keener to the idea of exotic pet ownership. But what about making wild animals pets? If you were to find a baby bat in the wild, would you keep it as a pet? Could you keep it as a pet? There are many aspects to consider when making the decision to domesticate a wild animal. Continue reading to learn about bats as pets, and what you should do if you find a bat on your property.

Pet Bats

It is common to have a pet dog or cat, or bird, or lizard, or hamsters, bunnies, and even horses. But nowadays, some people are pushing the limits when it comes to animal pet domestication. There are many who choose to tame certain wild animals that do not belong in domestication. There have been numerous reports of people attempting to tame nontraditional animals as pets and later being injured or attacked after they reach sexual maturity. And if attacks and injuries are not the problem, destruction and mess will be. Common popular exotic pets include raccoons, pigs, monkeys, and even bats.

If you find a baby bat, injured bat, or a bat in the house, it is strongly recommended to contact a local wildlife rescue and control company for professional assistance. Never attempt to touch, trap, catch, or kill a wild bat. This means it is not a good idea to keep them as a pet either. Bats are highly advantageous to our surrounding Eco-systems, as they control the mosquito populations and help pollinate plants and trees. But they are dangerous to humans and pets, and are not meant to be domesticated in any way.

The only person that should be taking in wild bats is a licensed professional or rehabilitation farm. Not only are bats destructive and have the potential to carry highly infectious and life-threatening diseases, they are healthier and happier in the wild. No home or man-made habitat could ever truly replace the freedom and opportunity they have in nature. If you find a bat in the attic, or a baby bat injured outside, contact a bat removal and control company for safe and humane exclusion services. They retain the proper tools, training, and licensing to remove bats and relocate them to a safe and faraway habitat.

Indianapolis Bat Removal

Call 317-535-4605 to get rid of bats in the attic in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed wildlife rescue contractors that have decades of experience in the bat control industry. We only use safe and humane methods and never kill bats. We offer residential and commercial bat removal services at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-535-4605 for fast and friendly bat removal and control services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Does Histoplasmosis Come From Bat Guano?

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Bats can be helpful creatures, eating thousands of insects each night and contributing to the balance of our Eco-system. The problem is that bats can carry diseases and spread them through infestation and bat droppings, a concern commonly over-looked. If you have recently had a bat infestation, or have bats near your property, be sure to take note on the following information to understand the danger associated with being exposed to bat droppings and bat guano.

Bat Guano

Bat guano refers to the solid components within bat droppings; more specifically, bat feces. Guano is actually a widely-utilized natural resource used in villages and tribes all over the world for weapon crafting, building homes, fertilizer, and more. Bat guano is found in areas that bat colonies have nested, such as caves, dens, under bridges, attics, crawl spaces, and anywhere else bats reside.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is referred to by many names, such as: Spelunker’s Lung, Cave Disease, Darling’s Disease, or scientifically, Reticuloendotheliosis. It is an infectious disease that is contracted by over exposure to bat guano. There is a fungus that grows in guano called Histoplasmosis Capsulatum. The inhalation of these spores within the guano causes flu-like symptoms, like coughing and difficulty breathing. It is not a contagious infection but can be easily contracted if precaution is not taken.

Those at Risk

Anyone, child or adult, can contract Histoplasmosis. It is rare for just anyone to get the disease because the fungus is only found in dark, warm areas that bat guano is found. So the more common people to fall victim to the illness are spelunkers, chimney cleaners, cave miners, and people that frequent attics and crawl spaces often. Because they work in areas that bats may dwell in, they are at risk to inhaling the infection causing spores and falling ill.

It is not typically fatal unless a person has severe and long term health complications, such as the elderly. Otherwise, if treated at the first signs of illness, it is no more dangerous than the common cold. In fact, in most cases, it just goes away on its own.

Bat Removal Indiana

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional bat removal and control in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are DNR licensed and certified wildlife control contractors that provide a wide range of bat removal and control services for residential and commercial properties. From bats in the attic and bat exclusion, to bat cleanup and minor attic restorations, our professional wildlife contractors are fully-equipped to manage your bat problem! Call 317-535-4605 for a free estimate and information about our bat removal services in Indianapolis, IN.

3 Common Damages Caused by Bat Infestation

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North American bats are very prevalent tenants in nature. Bats are nocturnal mammals that eat thousands of insects on a nightly basis. They are helpful creatures in this way, limiting the amount of mosquitoes feeding on us at our summer barbeques; however, there is a darker side to bats that live near residential areas. Bats like to seek shelter in warm dark places, and with new construction popping up everywhere, their natural habitats are being overcome by buildings and neighborhoods. Rather than finding shelter in more remote areas, bats will look to our properties for shelter. This behavior can cause problems regarding the well-being of our homes and indoor environments. Read on to learn more about the three common damages bats can cause when residing within our homes and buildings.

Bat Mites

Bat mites are microscopic insects that are commonly mistaken for bed bugs. They like to use bats and humans as their host. People will have a pest control company treat their home for bed bugs, only to discover that the problem persists well after the treatment is through. This is because it is not bed bugs that are irritating the homeowner, it is bat mites. Because bats will live inside walls, attics, crawl spaces, and rooftops, their mites will continue to come back because the source of the issue was not solved. In order to get rid of bat mites, you have to get rid of bats first.

Diseases

Bats are stereotyped as the main source of rabies in America. The truth is, ANY animal can contract rabies and pass it on to humans and other animals. Even though bats are always wrongly associated with rabies, doesn’t mean that they cannot have the disease, as well as others, that can be contagious or dangerous for humans. Along with rabies, bat dropping, or guano, can release spores for Histoplasmosis, which if inhaled, can cause damage to our lungs.

Structural Repairs

Bats are not chewers or biters. They will not claw your dry wall or chew through electrical wiring like raccoons can. Instead, their colonies defecate and urinate all over the area they inhabit. The accumulation of all their droppings will cause serious structural damage to the space they live in, and the spaces surrounding it. The droppings can seep into walls and begin to leak through ceilings. This can soil and destroy attic insulation, dry wall, and more. Also, the odor from the droppings will eventually seep into the living or working space of the property, causing discomfort and embarrassment to the property owners.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control

Call Wildlife Rescue and Control at 317-535-4605 to get rid of bats in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed bat removal specialists with decades of experience in the wildlife control industry. We offer a wide range of bat removal and control services, including 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, advice, and answers to bat related questions! Call us at 317-535-4605 for Indianapolis bat removal and control services in Indianapolis, IN today.

Bat Repellant Options and Alternatives

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Bats should never be harmed, trapped, or killed under any circumstances unless by licensed wildlife contractors and professionals. Fortunately there are bat repellant options, alternatives, and methods that are humane, easy to use, and highly beneficial to property owners. Continue reading to learn the most effective ways to repel bats in residential, commercial, and urban areas.

Electronic Bat Repellants

There are new devices available on the market that use sound frequencies, ultrasonic technology, volume-enhanced noises, and more to repel bats away from properties. They are specially manufactured to recreate sound waves, noises, and frequencies, silent to human ears, to prohibit bats from becoming accustomed to a particular sound. The constantly-changing noises and waves affect a bats behavior, communication capabilities, sleep cycles, and flying habits, keeping them far away. These devices can provide a range up to 5,000 feet! Larger properties or areas might require more than one device, depending on the number of animals to repel and the square footage of the area. It takes nearly 4 weeks to thoroughly observe bat behaviors to properly assess the levels and frequencies needed.

Bat Repellant Sprays and Gels

Just like ordinary store-bought pesticides, there are products on the market that are specially manufactured to repel bats. These products come in both spray form and gels. Either in a 10 ounce spray bottle or a caulking tube, these chemical or natural-based repellents are easy to find and affordable to buy. They essentially let off a taste and smell that bats are sensitive to and despise. This only keeps them at bay for a while, and requires reapplications each month during bat season.

Natural Bat Repellants

Natural methods can also be used to repel bats. Sound machines, bright lights, cinnamon, human hair, coyote urine, green tea, peppermint, and more are popular natural remedies that keep bats away. Bats find these tastes, smells, and other ambiences obnoxious and irritating to their senses. For bats in the attic of other indoor area of a property, mix together water and the above herbs and ingredients and place into a spray bottle. Spray this homemade solution all over the attic perimeter or area to get rid of bats naturally.

Indianapolis Bat Removal

Call Indianapolis Bat Removal at 317-535-4605 to get rid of bats in the attic or around your property. We are DNR licensed bat control contractors that provide a wide range of services for both residential and commercial properties. We only use safe and humane methods to extract bats and prevent their return, and offer the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional bat removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana today.

Where Can I Find Bat Guano Fertilizers?

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Bat guano is the manure of wild bats. Guano is also a term used for seabird droppings as well. Both are fantastic fertilizers for their high nutrient content. There are three primary nutrients needed to grow lawns and plants; phosphate, potassium, and nitrogen. All of these nutrients are found in bat dung!

Bat manure can be used to speed up the growing process, enrich and condition the soil, eliminate nematodes in the soil, and prevent fungal growth. It can also be used a compost for faster decomposition. Continue reading to learn where you can find bat dung fertilizer, and which brands are highest in quality and most recommended.

Bat Dung Fertilizer

The first place anyone should look when in the market for some bat dung fertilizer is their local home and hardware store. Commercial chains like Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and similar stores will carry quality bat guano fertilizer products. They may also be purchased at local gardening plots and lawn care stores. For those who prefer items to come directly to the home, they can always internet shop!

Hundreds of brands of bat guano fertilizer can be found by shopping online, anywhere. Simply type in the words and click the shopping button. The stores mentioned above also have websites that offer online shopping and purchasing. Although there is a small shipping cost, the products are sent directly to the location specified in the online order, saving a trip to the store. Some sites offer free shipping for purchases over a certain dollar amount, too.

Recommended Bat Guano Fertilizers

Some of the most popular and recommended bat guano fertilizers are available in several local home and hardware stores, lawn care stores, and more. Here is a list of recommended guano fertilizer products with the highest reviews:

Greenbelt Organics Bat Guano Fertilizer, 2LB Bag
$10-15

Sunleaves Indonesian Bat Guano, 11LB Bag
$15-20

Foxfarm Happy Frog High Phosphate Bat Guano Fertilizer, 4LB Bag
$15-20

Be sure to read the labels of bat guano fertilizer products so that you are well-versed in the application and care process. In order for any fertilizer to work, proper and routine care is necessary. Contact a local bat removal service if you suspect you might have bat guano in or around your property. Bat guano is a sign that bats are present or frequent visitors. Although a fantastic fertilizer, it can be unsafe in certain quantities if exposed to humans.

Bat Removal Indianapolis Indiana

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional bat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed bat control contractors with more than two decades of experience in the industry. We only use safe and humane methods to extract bats and prevent their return. Our bat control services are available to residential and commercial properties all across Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. On top of bat removal, we also provide bat guano cleanup services, minor attic restoration services, bat-proofing, preventative maintenance, inspections, and much more. Call 317-535-4605 to get a free estimate for Indianapolis bat removal and control from a licensed contractor.

Bat Removal Indiana is the Affordable Solution to Getting Rid of Bats in the Attic

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

Bat Removal Indiana is a DNR licensed bat removal and control company based out of Indianapolis. They retain the latest technologies and comprehensive training that allow them to facilitate safe, humane, and most importantly, effective bat removal services. Not only can they extract bats from attics, crawl spaces, drywall, porches, and more, they offer a wide selection of additional bat control services.

For example, if your attic is destroyed by bat droppings and birthing debris, their qualified contractors can provide bat cleanup services and minor attic restorations for damages caused by bats! They also offer bat prevention, bat-proofing, 24 hour emergency services, free advice, and much more. For details about their bat removal and control services, call 317-535-4605 and speak with a DNR licensed bat control contractor today!

Bat Removal Indianapolis

Bat Removal Indiana offers the most effective and skilled nuisance wildlife protection services at the most competitive prices in Indianapolis. You can trust you are getting the fairest and most honest quotes, estimates, and assessments from our DNR licensed bat removal technicians. Visit their website at https://www.batremovalindianapolis.com for more information about their services, prices, availability, and more. Ask for free estimates, over-the-phone quotes, bat-proofing advice, and more anytime. Call 317-535-4605 to learn more about bat removal services in Indianapolis, IN today.

What is the Off-Season for a Bat?

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When the weather is cold and the snow begins to fall, bats and other mammals hideaway, making winter their off-season. In fact, the peak demand for bat exclusion among residential and commercial properties is in October, November, and December, when weather is still mild, but cold enough for bats to go looking for shelter. So what happens to bats in their off-season? What kind of activity do they display? Where do they go? Continue reading for answers to these questions and more!

Hibernation or Migration

By the time bat exclusion season ends, bat off-season starts up. Once the weather gets too cold for bats, they start to look for dens, caves, and shelter; which unfortunately and often times includes our attics, crawl spaces, garages, walls, and more. If bats have not found this shelter by the time the harsh winter climates start to take over, they migrate south, following the bugs and warmer weather. For bats that find shelter, they hibernate through the winter season until spring. It is fascinating how some species of bat decide to remain and hibernate, while others prefer to travel south for warm sun and insects!

Once bats come out their 6 month-long torpor, the males are ready to mate. And with a gestation period of only 65 days, bats have their litters in the early summer. A female bat can have up to three litters per breeding season, but often times only gives birth to one single pup at a time. Just at the start of fall, their bat pups through nursing on their mother and grown enough to leave the nest and venture out to forage, feed, and prepare for winter.

Although winter is the off-season for bats, they can still be inside our properties causing damage. If you suspect you have bats in the attic, or in some other area of your home, contact a local Indianapolis bat removal company for professional and prompt assistance.

Indianapolis Bat Removal

Call 317-535-4605 for fast and affordable bat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and trained bat exclusionists with decades of experience in the bat control industry. We provide residential and commercial services, as well as, free estimates, DIY advice, and more! Call 317-535-4605 and speak with a licensed bat removal contractor about how to get rid of bats in Indianapolis, IN today.