Bats in Wisconsin are most active in the summer because the insects on which they feed are plentiful. Most of the bat species that live around here hibernate during the winter, so they have to feed significantly during the summer to build up stores for winter. For this reason, and because baby bats are mature enough to fly starting in August, you are most likely to see bats during the summer. Even if you don’t see the bats themselves, you may find their droppings, or guano, if they are living in your house. Bat guano can be hazardous without professional decontamination but fortunately, Skedaddle offers this as part of our bat removal in Madison.
How Can Bat Guano Threaten Your Home?
Despite what many people think, bats are not flying rodents. They have very fine, needle-sharp teeth that they use to catch prey, but their teeth do not keep growing indefinitely. Therefore, bats are unlikely to cause property damage by gnawing the way mice, rats, and squirrels often do.
Nevertheless, bats can cause damage indirectly through their guano. Bat guano has a pH of 7.5, making it slightly alkaline. While it’s not highly caustic, it can be corrosive to building materials, such as insulation or ceiling joists. Prolonged contact with accumulated bat guano can weaken these materials, causing them to break down over time. Therefore, you need to make getting rid of bats a priority if you suspect you have them in your home.
Why Is Bat Guano Hazardous To Your Health?
Bat guano can contain spores of a certain fungus that can cause disease in humans if inhaled. The disease is called histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection that can produce symptoms such as the following:
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Headache
While most people recover completely from histoplasmosis, approximately 5% develop complications and require serious treatments. People with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.
In addition to fungal spores, bat guano also contains bacteria, some of which can also spread disease. Bacteria in bat droppings can also produce an odor that, though essentially harmless, makes your home a much less pleasant place in which to live.
Why Should You Hire Professionals for Bat Guano Decontamination?
Merely getting rid of bat guano isn’t enough to remove the pathogens it contains. These may remain behind even after the contaminated surface looks clean. In fact, attempting to clean bat guano yourself may actually expose you to disease. The act of cleaning can launch bacteria and spores into the air, making it easier for you to breathe them in. It is better to hire professionals who use advanced methods to decontaminate areas affected by bat guano and destroy all the pathogens so that they can no longer harm you.
Do-it-yourself bat removal is hazardous not only because of the risk of exposure to disease but also because of laws that protect bats. It is illegal to harm bats or to disturb them while they are hibernating or raising young. Even if you accidentally cause harm to bats while attempting removal, rather than harming them intentionally, you could still potentially be in legal trouble.
Why Should You Call Skedaddle for Bat Removal in Madison?
Our technicians know how to remove bats without putting you at risk or harming the bats. We know how to get rid of bats in your house using methods that are compliant with applicable laws. We also know how to decontaminate where bats have been to get rid of pathogens and include this as part of our removal process. Our removal process also includes permanently sealing entry points with sturdy, rust-proof wire mesh so the bats can’t get back in. Learn more about all the wildlife removal services we offer in Madison .
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