Category Archives: Bat Facts

How Do Bats See at Night?

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Bats are nocturnal mammals. This means they are active at night, and sleep through the day. They are known to live in caves, hollow trees, and other dark hidden areas in nature. In residential neighborhoods, bats are known to infest our attics and crawl spaces. Bats are fascinating animals, but their way of vision is extraordinary. Continue reading to learn how bats see where they are flying in the night time.

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

Echolocation Like Dolphins

Although nocturnal, bats have weak and fragile eyes. They are very small and virtually useless. So how do bats see tiny insects when feeding, and avoid hitting trees mid-flight? The answer is their ability to hear. Bats have extremely acute hearing that allows them to hear the smallest sounds, like a flying beetle. As they fly, the make small chirps or squeaks. Their sounds move through the air and bounce off objects, creating an echo. Bats can hear these echoes, even the smallest ones. This method is commonly referred to as echolocation, similar to what dolphins and some birds use.

Their echolocation chirps are very high-pitched, making them nearly invisible to the human ear. When they use this system, it allows them to hear what is all around them and in front of them as well. It draws a vivid mental map for them to hunt and find shelter. The Navy and submarines use a system that is very similar to bat and dolphin echolocation; it is called sonar. They use sound vibrations to track objects underwater and determine their location.

Nuisance Bat Control Services

Bats are very interesting creatures, but sometimes they can intrude onto and even into our properties. When this happens, it is advised to call a professional bat removal company. For details about bat removal in Indianapolis, Indiana, call our licensed bat control specialists at 317-535-4605 today. You can also visit our website for information about bats and getting rid of bats in Indianapolis, IN.

The Facts about Bat Guano and Histoplasmosis

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Bat guano is more commonly known as bat droppings, which refer to their fecal discharges. Bat guano, in other cultures, is a dominant natural resource used for fertilizer and other agricultural commodities. It even has a history as an ingredient in war explosives. Bat guano is prevalent in caves, of course, being a widely-known bat dwelling area. However, in residential and commercial areas of society, bat guano can sometimes be found in other areas, such as homes, buildings, attics, crawl spaces, and other dark, secure places.

What is Histoplasmosis?

Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease that goes by many names. Among its various aliases, you will see it be called Spelunker’s Lung, Cave Disease, Ohio Valley Disease, Reticuloendotheliosis, and Darling’s Disease. Histoplasmosis is a disease passed on by a fungus called Histoplasmosis Capsulatum that grows in bat guano. This disease has symptoms similar to the flu, such as coughing and difficulty breathing. It is caught by inhaling the spores of the fungus. It is not contagious, but is can be easily inhaled unknowingly and active within days.

Who is at Risk to Catching the Disease?

Anyone can get Histoplasmosis, depending on where they are and what is happening around them. For example, a person with an extreme bat infestation problem in their attic can unknowingly inhale fungus spores and get the illness eventually. The more common victims would be cave miners and spelunkers, chimney cleaners, construction workers, repair people and HVAC workers, or anyone else in a field where they might be around dark, warm places often. Basically, anyone who comes across the fungi can be exposed and conflicted with it.

Is it Life Threatening?

In most cases, the answer is typically no. In other rare or extreme cases, fatality can occur. If an elderly person with a weakened immune system is heavily exposed over a long period of time, then it could be fatal. If the symptoms are bad and go untreated, fatality can also occur. But in most cases, the symptoms are mild and tend to go away on their own. Many people are unaware they even had Histoplasmosis because it is so similar to the common cold. If you are even feeling under the weather and think it could be related to bat guano or Histoplasmosis, contact your family doctor to set up a checkup right away.

For more information on bats in the attic, or bat removal, contact our licensed animal control company in Indiana at 317-535-4605 today. We are happy to provide free estimates, DIY assistance, and guidance on bat infestations and more. Be sure to visit out Indianapolis Bat Removal website for a list of our services too!