Why Is It Illegal To Kill Bats In Ontario?

It is too easy to associate bats with monsters. Horror movies made sure to correlate the animal with vampires and other creatures of nightmares. Unfortunately, these stereotypes do significant harm to the species. People fear the animal because of assumptions and may even think they lurk around every corner. They panic and ask, "where do bats go in the winter?" In truth, bats are not aggressive. In the winter, most bats hibernate in their nest, but others migrate to warmer climates. The likelihood of a bat deliberately attacking or biting a human is slim. However, it is possible bats will nest in your attic. If you have bats in your attic or home, call Oshawa wildlife removal. Do not kill the animal. Killing bats is illegal in Ontario.

Bats Are a Protected Species

Bats are a protected species in Canada and many parts of North America. The animals have helped control many potential threats to the human race by their diets alone. Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, the killing of specific bat species is illegal. While homeowners might feel like they can eliminate a bat nesting in their home or attic, they would be wrong. As a specially protected mammal, you cannot kill, trap, or hunt bats. Aside from being an essential element of the health of ecosystems, some species of bats are protected because they are endangered. Without appropriate intervention, these species could become nonexistent.

Killing Wildlife Is Inhumane

The killing of bats is also inhumane. No animal, especially those that play a crucial role in the environment, should be snuffed out. The methods people use to eliminate bats are barbaric. From poison to lethal traps, the animal undoubtedly suffers. There is no reason to use cruel practices to remove or expel bats from your home. Wildlife professionals are more than capable of installing one-way exits and other exclusion methods to free your home.

Bats Regulate Insect Populations

Many bats thrive on diets consisting mostly of insects. A single bat can eat its weight in insects every single night. Some of the primary insects bats feed on are common pests, such as mosquitoes.  Mosquitoes can carry many dangerous illnesses, such as West Nile. Because bats eat mosquitos, they help to control some mosquito-borne viruses. Additionally, bats often eat farm pests. They snack on the bugs that wreak havoc on crops, allowing farmers to have a more successful season.

Bats Help Pollinate and Disperse Seeds

Fruit-eating bats are not only harmless to humans, but they also help pollinate and disperse seeds. People often think that bees are the only thing capable of pollination, but bats play an integral role in the process.

Bats Propel Science and Medicine Forward

While people might fear bats because of misperceptions, such as the prevalence of rabies, bats rarely pose any significant threat to humans. Vampire bat saliva has been used to study blood clotting. The compound draculin found in vampire bats has also shown potential for improving treatments for stroke patients. People need to move past their fears and misconceptions. Bats have a lot to offer the human race and the world. The animals get a bad reputation because of old stereotypes. If you believe you have a bat nest in your home, do not attempt to resolve it on your own. Do not kill the animal. Instead, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control and do your part to protect this fascinating and vulnerable species.