Bats and Conservation
Bats are an incredibly important family when it comes to conservation. Bats eat a slew of insects that people don't like, and large populations can even prevent serious agricultural downturns caused by insect pests. Because many of the most serious diseases known to mankind are insect-borne infections, bats play an important role in preventing them from spreading. Bats may even prevent malaria from moving northward as a result of climate change. There are over a thousand species of bats worldwide, around 50 of which live in Canada and the United States. 8 species, approximately 18% of North American species, are endangered. Bats are threatened by human habitat incursions and human development, but they have also fallen victim to an insidious fungal infection called white-nose syndrome. White-nose syndrome doesn't affect humans but it is extremely contagious for bats. The fungus grows in cold temperatures, forcing bats to wake up early during hibernation. This is often deadly, as bats only build up enough fat stores to function at a very low level of activity. Once they wake up, they quickly burn up their resources and starve. Because so many bats are at risk of extinction, care must be taken when removing them from homes.The Best Time to Remove Bats
Bats breed in June and July, so expelling them from your home during this time is a virtual death sentence for young bats. By sealing entrances for parents foraging for food, young, helpless pups invariably starve and die within walls and siding. Not only is this cruel and unpleasant, but it can also be a nuisance to clean. While you wait for the fall and winter seasons, there are a few things you can do to prevent your bat problem from worsening. Taking care to ensure that you aren't sealing any animals inside, look for gaps in your home and close them off to the environment. Make your way around your property and take note of areas that seem like they might be attractive to prospective animals. Some companies sell ultrasonic devices to repel animals, but these can cause problems for pets and more research on their safety is needed. Bats hibernate in the winter, so this is the perfect time to call a removal professional. By installing one-way doors and monitoring your home over time, wildlife professionals make sure that animals can leave when they want to but won't be welcomed back.
