Bats living in attic

A common misconception about bats is that people believe they are closely related to mice and rats. In actuality, bats are more closely related to primates. All bats are in the group Chiroptera, Latin for "hand wing" – this is because their wings are essentially flaps of skin connecting their long, fragile fingers. When the sun sets, bats emerge from their homes to seek out food and water throughout the night. They use echolocation to navigate the night sky and catch their food. Bats are very particular about the places where they reside. Human homes and buildings are suitable for some species of bats. They don't require a large access hole or gap and will cram into the found space. Hundreds of bats can live in an attic. Attics are warm, dry, and protect bats from predators during the day.

Bat droppings on attic insulation

There are some major concerns with having bats in the home, whether there are bats in the attic or bats flying around the room. Like most mammals, bats can carry rabies. The guano (droppings) of a bat can be dangerous in a number of ways. If the bats have been living in a house long enough, the guano may be piled up. The smell of guano is very unpleasant to have in the house. Worse, bat guano can be a host to a fungus that carries the disease Histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum) can be spread to humans if the spores of the fungus are inhaled. Bat guano in an attic can be a serious health risk to the inhabitants of the house.

Last, but not least, is the noise factor; bats will chirp and keep some residents awake at night.

When bats become a problem for humans, it's usually because they have colonized in a wall space, in the eaves or in and around chimneys. We specialize in professional humane bat control, removal, relocation, and exclusion services, as well as attic cleaning and decontamination services.

Little Brown Bat - Little Brown Bats are the most common species of the mouse-eared bats in North America. They seem to prefer to live near water in order to feed on aquatic insects (mosquitoes, mayflies and the like). They are tolerant of high temperatures which makes them well suited for attics and will travel large distances to winter roosts in order to safely hibernate.

Big Brown Bat - Larger in size than the little brown bat and less tolerant of high temperatures but more tolerant of colder temperatures. Because of this, they are more likely to hibernate further north in the winter (and thus are more likely to inhabit attics year round). Big Brown Bats prefer to feed on beetles which makes them valuable to farmers as they protect crops from destructive larvae.

Other Species - Other bats that may be spotted near homes but rarely inhabit them: Hoary Bats, Silver-Haired Bats, and Red Bats.

• Bats in the belfry! Bats love to live in the attic, walls, and vents of houses.
• Bat droppings (guano) on the siding of the house.
• A colony of bats living in a house can make an unpleasant smell in the home.
• The sound of chirping bats in the attic keeps you awake.
• Bats swarming around the lamppost or overhead.