If there is one thing no one likes dealing with, it is poop. Most humans have a natural aversion to feces, and for a good reason. Poop not only smells bad, but it can also create an environment where bacteria and diseases thrive.
Unfortunately, if you have a bat problem, you have a bat feces problem, as well. Bat guano is the droppings left behind by bats under their roost. Bat guano is different from most rodent droppings in that it piles up and can grow quite high as it is dropped from bats roosting high above.
If you see what you think might be bat guano, your best option is to reach out to us for bat control in Omaha, to avoid serious problems.
What Is Bat Feces?
Bat guano is the natural result of bats eating and roosting in a particular area, and it has played an essential and fascinating role in human history.
Cultures throughout history all over the world have used bat feces as a natural fertilizer. Bat guano is rich in nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Though the use of guano in agriculture had been waning because of the arrival of chemical fertilizers, it has seen an increase in recent years with the rise of organic farming.
Although bat feces historically have played an important role in agriculture, they can be harmful to the health of humans. Bat guano can transmit diseases to humans and other animals. Bat feces are also incredibly hard to clean up.
There are a variety of diseases you can get from bat guano; the most likely illness is histoplasmosis. This disease comes from breathing in spores from the mold growing on feces and causes severe breathing issues in some cases. If left untreated, it can be fatal.
Another common disease is henipavirus which is most common in Africa, Asia, and Australia. This virus presents as the flu, however, and frequently is not diagnosed until after death.
Identifying Bat Feces
According to Wildlife Removal USA: “One of the key ways to identify bat feces is that because the feces are dropped from a roosting point on the roof, the feces will accumulate in piles on the floor of the attic or roof space where the bats are present. The droppings are usually black in color, and when they are found individually, they are long thin pellets, but it is the fact that they accumulate in piles that really helps bat feces to stand out.
Because bats have a diet that is made up of insects, you will often see that at close quarters, the droppings have a shiny and speckled coloring, which is the wings of the insects that aren’t broken down fully in the digestive system.”
Should You Get Rid Of Bat Feces?
Removing any build-up of bat guano is essential. Because bats often roost in attics or elevated areas of homes and structures, weight can become an issue. Excessive pressure from the piling up of bat feces can be a danger to the structural integrity of a building.
Bat guano can also carry diseases and bacteria. Allowing feces to accumulate without removing it can lead to an increased risk of illness or sickness. You need to eliminate the waste, especially if there are young children present.
Be sure to take precautions before you even investigate bat feces. Wear a mask to protect your airways so that you don’t breathe in dangerous bacteria. Inhaling spores from the mold growing on guano can cause serious diseases. Wear gloves to protect your hands and prevent accidental transfer of bacteria elsewhere in your house.
Consult A Professional
If you have discovered bat guano in your home or structures, it is vital you call a residential bat control professional to remove it. It can be risky to remove bat feces if you do not have any experience. If not done correctly, removal can spread germs and disease to previously uncontaminated areas of the building.
At CP Bat Mitigation, John and Sean have the experience needed to remove all parts of a bat infestation. If you have noticed bats or feces left behind, give CP Bat Mitigation a call. Not only will one of our experts speak with you on the phone about your bat problem, but we will also meet with you and give you a free cost estimate before beginning any work.
The professionals at CP Bat Mitigation are based in Sioux Falls but serve customers throughout South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. Customers have been trusting us to safely and efficiently handle all kinds of bat problems for years.
Also Read: What size is a typical bat colony?