How To Get Rid Of Bats Hanging Around Your Wilmington Property

When people think of infestations, even wildlife infestations, bats are probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, a bat infestation can be a terrible thing for homeowners to have to deal with because it can destroy property and expose you to disease all at the same time. That means no comprehensive Wilmington pest control plan is complete without a bat control plan. 

How To Identify A Bat

Bats are pretty easy to distinguish from other pests, like birds or rodents, when you're looking at them. They're the world's only flying mammals, and many bat species look like tailless mice with wings. We've got almost a dozen different types of bats here in Delaware, though the ones you're most likely to run into include the big brown bat, little brown bat, and the eastern red bat. 

Identifying a bat is pretty easy when you're looking at one. But identifying a bat infestation can be harder. Many times, homeowners mistake bat infestations for rodent infestations. When they hear bats flying around in the attic, they may think it's squirrels nesting up there. Or, when they see bat damage, they may mistake it for rat damage. 

A couple of ways to distinguish bat infestations are noise and guano. When they're not flying, you can actually hear bats squeaking and calling to each other. This high-pitched noise is much different than the noises squirrels and rats make. Bat guano also doesn't look like rodent droppings. Dried-out rodent droppings tend to form pellets, while guano dries into a fine powder because it contains insects. 

The Health Hazards Of Bats On Your Property

Having a bat infestation can threaten your health in several different ways. For one thing, bats are one of our area's most common vectors for rabies. What's worse is that they can get quite aggressive if they nest in your home. A bat bite virtually always means a round of rabies shots, which can cost thousands of dollars. 

Breathing in bat guano can also be toxic to humans. We talked about how bat guano tends to dry into a fine powder, and this powder can disperse into the air. Bat guano contains toxic fungal spores that can lead to histoplasmosis. This illness can cause everything from mild flu-like symptoms to death, so it's vital to avoid exposure to any amount of bat guano. 

Secondary infestations are also a problem with bat infestations. Bats have all kinds of external parasites, like fleas and ticks. When they nest on your property, they bring these pests with them. 

How To Remove Factors That Attract Bats To Your Property

You should always depend on bat control specialists to remove an existing infestation. But if you want to avoid an infestation in the first place, there are some things you can do: 

• Block off potential entryways to attics and other places easy to access by air. 
• Place fake owls strategically around your property to scare bats off. 
• Eliminate mosquito and other insect infestations that could attract bats to your property. 

Sticking to these bat prevention measures can help encourage bats to come, eat, and leave rather than set up shop in your house. 

The Safe And Effective Way To Get Rid Of Bats 

Never, ever try to get rid of a bat infestation yourself. The risks of rabies and toxic exposure are too high. For safe bat removal, call the best bat control in Wilmington and surrounding Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland areas: Delmar Pest Control! Our bat control products and services can ensure your property is bat-free year-round.