Bats eat insects and can be interesting creatures to watch at night, but if they get inside the home, they can be dangerous. When bats make it inside the home, it’s important to be careful and have them removed by a professional to prevent potential issues like illnesses that can be spread from bats to humans. Read below to learn more about dealing with bats in your home and how to get help if you notice any. 

Signs of Bats Inside the Home

The most obvious sign of bats inside the home is seeing the bats flying around at night or finding dead bats somewhere inside the home. If the bats are in the attic, though, it might not be as easy to figure out what’s up there. Common signs include finding bat droppings, noticing the smell of ammonia inside the home, discovering strange sounds, or hearing shuffling noises coming from the attic, especially late in the evening. 

At the first sign that there may be something in the roof, it’s a good idea to get professional help. Without knowing what’s there, it’s better to get help instead of trying to go up and see. It can be hard to spot bats or any other creatures that are getting into the attic, so stay safe by letting a professional take a look. If it is necessary to see what’s up there before a professional can arrive, use a small camera and be careful not to open the attic too much to avoid letting any creatures into the home. 

The Dangers of Bats Inside the Home

A bat here or there might not be too much of an issue, though it is still a good idea to find out how to keep them from getting into the home. Still, whether there’s one or a whole colony getting into the home, it is important to be aware of the risks. Some of those will include the following. 

Rabies

Bats can carry rabies, though the chance of transmission is low. If someone in the household may have been bitten by a bat, it’s a good idea to seek immediate medical treatment, as rabies is deadly if it is not treated before symptoms appear. It can be difficult to impossible to tell if a bat is carrying rabies, so preventative measures and proper treatment are crucial.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is another one of the diseases that can be spread by bats and impacts mainly the lungs. It can be spread via bat droppings, commonly known as guano. A blood test is needed to confirm histoplasmosis, and most cases are mild and will disappear within 10 days with proper treatment. There is a rare type that can be deadly, though, so it is crucial to seek medical care if there are any signs of histoplasmosis. Though this can easily spread from bats to humans, it can’t spread from human to human. 

Insects

Parasitic insects can be carried in by bats and spread throughout the home. On top of the pests just being inside the home, they can carry diseases, some of which can be serious or deadly. Insects that can be brought in include mites, fleas, and bat mites, which are similar to bedbugs. If there are bats in the home, spraying to kill these potential insects may be necessary to prevent an infestation. 

Damage to the Home

Bats do not damage the home to get inside. They prefer to look for easy ways to get inside, which is why they often get in through open doors or damaged areas leading to the attic. However, once they are inside, they can cause damage to the area. Droppings and urine will build up and start to leak through the insulation and ceilings. It is better to handle the bats quickly and have the area cleaned by a professional to prevent this kind of damage. 

How Bats Get Into Your Home

Bats can’t dig through the exterior of a home like other wildlife, but they can still get inside. Small holes are enough to let bats into the attic, and it may not be easy to notice these holes from the ground. If the roof is damaged, or an area close to the roof is, bats may be able to get in and out of the attic without being detected. 

Bats can also fly into the home through open windows or doors. Generally, bats that get inside through an opening like this will get back outside again and may not try to return because of everyone living in the home. Often, they’re looking for a quiet and safe place to nest, so they’ll prefer somewhere like the attic that is more protected and easier to access on a regular basis. 

Any damage to the exterior of the home should be covered as soon as it’s detected to help prevent bats and other creatures from getting inside the home. Once wildlife is discovered, fixing the damage will prevent the bats from getting outside or can keep them out and unable to tend to any babies that may still be in the attic. Instead, get professional help to make sure all of the bats are removed before the area is closed off permanently. 

How to Keep Bats Out of Your Home

Keeping bats out of the home is as easy as making sure there aren’t any ways for the bats to get inside. The problem is that it isn’t exactly easy to detect damage on the home that could allow bats inside. A general inspection of the exterior and roof once per year can help homeowners spot areas that may become a problem. Bats can get inside through tiny holes, so if anything is noticed, temporary repairs that are done immediately can help keep bats and other creatures out. As soon as possible, permanent fixes should be done. Homeowners can do their own inspection a few times a year or have a contractor do a more thorough inspection and complete any repairs that may be needed. 

How to Remove Bats from Inside the Home

Once bats get inside, it is important to make sure they’re removed from the home before they can cause any issues. However, removing bats can be dangerous. On top of this, many bat species are protected, so homeowners can’t remove them legally. Instead, it’s a much better idea to have a professional do the job. A professional will make sure all of the bats are removed from the home, help determine how the bats got inside, and provide guidance for cleaning the mess from the bats and preventing them from getting inside again.

Bats can be beneficial to have in the area, but they can be dangerous if they get inside a home. If you’ve noticed bats inside the home or suspect there could be bats in your attic, let the professionals handle the removal to keep everyone in your home safe. Catawba Wildlife Removal are local professionals who know how to remove bats and can help residents in Rock Hill, SC, Fort Mill, SC, and the surrounding areas. Call 704-564-5686 or visit here to learn more or to get fast help. 

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