Does One Bat in the House Mean there Could be More?

Finding a bat inside your home can be concerning discovery. Homeowners sometimes spot a single bat flying around inside of their property and immediately panic. The first thing to do is to try to remain calm. Keep any pets or children far away from the bat. Next, contact a bat removal company, such as Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Milwaukee, to get the bat safely out of your home. If you find a bat, you also may be wondering, are there more bats lurking around inside of your home?

Bat Behavior and Nesting

First, it's important to understand a few facts about bat behavior and how and where they make their nests. The most common bat species in this area is the big brown bat. The big brown bat is about four to five inches in size and has a 12- to 13-inch wingspan. The bat has reddish-brown fur and black ears. Big brown bats are nocturnal. During the day, they find a quiet, hidden spot that's high up to roost and sleep. Around dusk, they emerge from their roosts and hunt for insects to eat. These bats typically mate in the fall. After breeding, the females and males separate into different colonies. The females give birth to their pups in early summer and usually only have one baby at a time.

Bat Houseguests

When a bat gets inside of the living area of a home, it's usually an accident. Many homeowners may not realize there are bats living under the eaves, in the gaps of their roof or inside of their attic. People usually only notice a bat if it gets lost and ends up flying down into their living space. Bats do leave behind evidence of their presence. A bat infestation usually comes with milky white stains on and around windows from their urine. They also leave behind their droppings, bat guano, on windows and on surfaces where they are roosting. Sometimes, there is a noticeable smell.

Bat Colonies

Bats are not usually solitary creatures, so if one bat is spotted, others are close by. During the spring and summer, when bats are most active, they live in colonies of between 25 and 35 individuals. If one bat accidentally makes its way in your home, the colony may be close enough to follow suit. A single bat could be part of a maternity colony of female bats or a small group of males. Even if the bat's appearance is a random occurrence, the scent and markings it leaves behind could potentially attract other bats. The best course of action is to hire a professional bat removal service to take care of the problem and prevent additional animals from getting into your home.

Expert Bat Removal Company in Milwaukee

Although bats are extremely beneficial to the ecosystem by consuming bothersome bugs like mosquitos, it's important to exercise caution. Homeowners should never attempt to handle a bat. Instead, opt for a professional and experienced bat removal company's help. Bats may carry the deadly disease rabies, which could be passed on to humans or pets if they are bitten. While it is rare for a bat to bite and pass on rabies to someone, there is another risk of having a bat infestation. Their toxic guano has the potential to contaminate the soil around it with a fungus that could lead to a Histoplasmosis infection, which is a serious respiratory disease. Their droppings also leave behind a noticeable toxic odor. After an infestation, it's best to get professional help to clean up the guano residue. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is here to help with a potential bat infestation. Get your peace of mind back with our bat removal services.