At first, having bats around your home may not seem like much of an issue. After all, they don't tend to be hostile, only come out at night, and eat pesky insects like mosquitoes. However, there are some health risks that bats bring with them, and it's important to make yourself aware of them. CP Bat Mitigation, your local Omaha pest control company, is here to educate you on the potential dangers of bats and to help you humanely mitigate them if you do encounter an infestation.
Bat Identification Guide
Two common bat species in Omaha are the big brown bat and the little brown bat. As their names suggest, big brown bats are the larger of the two. They are dark-colored with lighter stomachs and a lack of fur on their wings. They are capable of flying at 40 miles per hour, faster than any other bat. They eat insects and are commonly found building nests in homes. Little brown bats are smaller, with a wider variance in colors. Their flight patterns are much slower and more irregular than the big brown bat, with an average speed of 12 miles per hour. Today we'll look at the most important reason for having effective bat control.
Can Living With Bats Make You Sick?
Bats are natural predators of many insect pests, like ants, spiders, and mosquitoes, but they also bring health risks with them if they are allowed to remain in your home. Bat droppings may contain a species of fungi that causes histoplasmosis, a lung disease with potentially long-lasting effects. In addition to being generally unsightly and unhealthy, their droppings attract even more bats, as well as other pests. But perhaps the most dangerous threat posed by bats in your house is rabies.
Bats & Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease spread by mammals. The most common cause of infection is being bitten by a rabid animal, but skin-to-skin contact can also be enough to transfer the disease. It is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately if you have been bitten by or had unprotected contact with a wild animal that might have rabies. The early symptoms of the disease may be confused with the flu, but once the virus reaches the brain, it is almost always fatal. Contact with bats that have rabies is the leading cause of death from rabies in the United States. As long as you are careful, however, you should be able to deal with any potential infection. Here are some sensible steps you can take:
Stay away from wild animals. If you don't bother them, they are unlikely to bother you.
If you see an animal acting strangely, such as a normally nocturnal creature coming out during the day, get inside as quickly as possible and contact your local animal control.
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the area immediately with soap and water.
Contact your local healthcare provider immediately about any scratches, bites, or contact with an animal, especially if you are unsure whether the animal may have rabies.
Vaccinate your pets and keep all vaccinations up to date for yourself and your family.
If you need home pest control for bats in your home, the best thing you can do is contact your local professional pest control company.
How To Humanely Mitigate Bats From Your Property
Bats can be very helpful creatures, and state laws and regulations protect some species due to their endangered nature. Contacting a professional pest control service is best to mitigate a bat problem. CP Bat Mitigation is the best bat control company in Omaha; we're a family-owned and operated business with 32 years of experience in humane bat mitigation. Our highly trained, customer-oriented technicians will provide you with a personal and environmentally responsible solution to your specific bat problems. Don't let bats take over your home; contact CP Bat Mitigation today, and we'll help you get them back to where they belong.