3 Smells That Can Repel Nuisance Bats

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Bats are important because they play a vital role in the environment and eco-system, but they are known to be a nuisance wildlife in certain areas of town. With the increase in over-development, bats are being forced out of their natural habitats, which is why many colonies are accessing attics and crawl spaces of residential properties in search of safe shelter. And since winter is the off-season for bats, they have already been on the hunt for new places to roost for the season. To ensure your home is not one of those places, consider implementing certain precautions to keep bats away.

A simple, safe, and humane method to consider for bat prevention: sprinkle certain spices or scents around your home that bats hate! That’s right! Just like humans, bats don’t like certain smells either, particularly strong or pungent ones. Some smells bats hate so much, they’ll stay away from them like Superman does Kryptonite! Continue reading to learn three common smells to use around the exterior of your home as a safe and humane means of bat control.

Menthol

Just like mothballs, menthol has a very strong odor. In bats do not like strong smells. Now you don’t want to go breaking up menthol cigarettes and sprinkling the tobacco all over the place, as this could be toxic to pets and hazardous to children. But you can purchase menthol extract or rub, and then place a tablespoon of it in a bowl with water for a non-toxic, fresh-smelling bat repellent. Place the bowl outside of your home where you know bats have been active and replenish as needed.

Mint & Spearmint

Two additional strong-smelling scents that repels nuisance bats are mint and spearmint. You can purchase mint vapor rub, spearmint extract, peppermint extract, or mint leaves. Then simply mix it (grind mint leaves) with water, and place it in a bowl outside of your home where you have spotted bats. You may even so cotton balls and mint extract and place those in a bowl outside of your home as well. This is a bit stronger, and may be more effective for large colonies of bats. You can also do this with menthol extract.

Bat Removal and Control

If you are experiencing nuisance by problems around the house, and everything you’ve tried has not worked, it is time to contact a licensed bat control company for professional bat removal services.

Indianapolis Bat Removal Services

Call 317-535-4605 to get rid of bats in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are highly-trained and experienced, DNR licensed wildlife control contractors that provide a wide range of bat removal and control services for both residential and commercial properties. For emergency situations, we offer 24 hour bat removal and control as well. Call 317-535-4605 and speak with professional wildlife rescue contractor about Indianapolis bat removal services, today.

Endangered Indiana Bats Delay Historic Bridge Repairs in Vincennes

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Earlier this year, restoration work was scheduled to begin on the historic Lincoln Memorial Bridge that connects the southern Indiana town of Vincennes to the Illinois town of Westport. But before anyone could even pick up a hammer, something unusual and amazing happened that caused the entire project to be delayed up until this very month! Continue reading to find out what took place under this beautiful and honorable Wabash River Bridge that was built in 1931 to praise the George Rogers Clark National Park in Vincennes, Indiana.

Indiana Endangered Bats

In March, construction crews began setting up for the 3.2 million dollar restoration project that was intended to take 6 months and involve work like cleaning, repairing, and paving. But as they approached the worksite, the made an amazing discovery: a roost of endangered Indiana bats! Since Federal rules restrict any construction work that could potentially disturb or interrupt endangered bats, the restoration project had to be rescheduled for this month so to not disturb the endangered colony!

You see, between March and October is the key breeding season for Indiana bats, and any sudden interruption can cause them extreme stress that can lead to illness or death. In an attempt to preserve the endangered Indiana bat colonies, the construction project was put on hold for the sake of these little guys! That’s got to make you feel good!

Benefits of Bats

Bats are highly-beneficial parts of our surrounding eco-systems, so it is important to protect them and support a healthy environment for them to thrive. If you are having a problem with bats on your property, be sure to use the methods for bat control and removal. Always contact a professional wildlife control company for safe and humane bat removal services. They have the licenses, skills, and resources to protect your home and bats at the same time.

Indiana Bat Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for bat removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.

The 3 Primary North American Bats

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There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of species of bats all across the world. From large-winged, fruit eating bats like the Megachiroptera, to the tinier, insect eating, Echolocating bats like the Microchiroptera, bats come in all different shapes and forms. But in North America, there are 3 particular species of bat seen most often. These bat species include the Little Brown Bat, the Big Brown Bat, and the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat. Continue reading to learn some fun and interesting details about each bat species, and who to call if your home is bothered by nuisance bats.

Little Brown Bat

“Myotis lucifugus”

The Little Brown bat is a member of the “mouse-eared” bat species, Myotis. This is why they are also referred to as the Little Brown Myotis. They are one of the most common species of bat in North America. Their fur is brown, as the name suggests, with dark grey underbellies. Their length average is between 6 to 10 centimeters, and they can weight up to 14 grams.

They are often confused for the Indiana Brown Bat, but can be easily distinguished by the absence of a keel on the calcar and long-haired hind feet. They are nocturnal, use echolocation to hunt and navigate in the dark, and primarily eat insects, like mosquitoes.

Big Brown Bat

“Eptesicus fuscus”

The Big Brown Bat is a member of the fuscus species, and most native to North America, the Caribbean, and even parts of Central America. As medium-sized bats, they grow up to 13 centimeters in length, and can weight up to 16 grams. Like the Little brown bat, they are also nocturnal, echolocating, and insectivorous.

They roost during the day, usually in hollow trees, and hunt for insects at night. They are known as a nuisance bat in some areas, commonly taking refuge in residential and commercial structures like sheds, attics, crawl spaces, and more.

Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

“Tadarida brasiliensis”

The Mexican Free-Tailed Bat is also commonly referred to as the Brazilian free-tailed bat. They are native to many parts of North America, but unfortunately experiencing population decline in California, making their preservation a growing concern. The Mexican Free-Tailed Bat is a medium-sized bat that has much in common with the above-mentioned species.

They are nocturnal insectivores that use ultrasonic sounds called echolocation to navigate and hunt for insects at night. Growing up to 9 centimeters in length and up to 12 grams in weight, the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat is a medium-sized species.

Bat Problems

If you are experiencing nuisance bat problems on your property, you require non-lethal bat exclusion and extraction services from a professional bat removal and control company. They use safe and humane methods to get rid of bats and prevent their return. But don’t just call any service, trust only an experienced wildlife rescue and control company in your town!

Indianapolis Bat Removal

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional Indianapolis bat removal 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. Call 317-535-4605 to learn more about getting rid of bats in Indianapolis, IN today.

Classification and Taxonomy of Bats

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Did you know that bats are the only mammal capable of true flight? They are also one of the only mammals known to consume blood! Bats are fascinating creatures, and fun to learn about. They are found in regions spanning all across the globe, varying in looks, size, diet, navigational traits, and more. Bats are certainly worth a study or two, and can actually teach you a lot about animal understanding and tolerance.

For example, bats have been pushed out of their natural habitats and forced into urban areas due to human over-development; as a result, they are frequently regarded as pests, rodents, and nuisance animals.

But the truth is, bats are an essential part of our surrounding ecosystem, and they play an integral role in mosquito and insect control in our parks and backyards every night. If you are tuned-in and ready to learn about bats, you need to start with the basics. Continue reading to learn the classification and taxonomy of bats.

What are Bats?

Bats are classified by 9 categories in terms of taxonomy. In order from biggest to smallest, these categories include kingdom, phylum, subphylum, class, order, suborder, family, genera, and species. There are two suborders of bats, Microchiroptera Megachiroptera. There are 16 “families” of Microchiroptera bats, but only 1 family of megabats called Pteropodidae. The Pteropodidae includes Old World Fruit Bats and Flying Foxes. And even more interesting, there are 187 “genera” of bats, and over 950 species!

According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), this is the taxonomy of bats is…

I. KINGDOM: Animalia

II. PHYLUM: Chordata

III. SUBPHYLUM: Vertebrata

IV. CLASS: Mammalia

V. ORDER: Chiroptera

VI. SUBORDER: Microchiroptera, Megachiroptera

VII. FAMILY: Noctilionidae, Pteropodidae, Antrozoidae, Vespertilionidae, Rhinopomatidae, Mystacinidae, Craseonycteridae, Molossidae, Emballonuridae, Nycteridae, Megadermatidae, Rhinolophidae, Mormoopidae, Phyllostomidae, Natalidae, Furipteridae, Thyropteridae, Myzopodidae

VIII. GENERA: 187 is too many! Click here for a complete list.

IX. SPECIES: Over 950! Click here for a list.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for affordable and safe bat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and insured bat removal and control technicians with over 30 years of experience in the bat control industry. We offer bat removal, prevention, exclusion, proofing, structural damage repairs, attic restorations, inspections, free estimates, discounts, and more! Call 317-535-4605 to get started toward a bat-free future, today.

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.