What Do Bats Look Like?
Bats are nocturnal flying mammals that live in dark, secluded areas and feed on insects. They use echolocation to navigate while flying and to help them catch their prey. Bats have large ears designed for echolocation to compensate for their poor eyesight. Their head and body are covered with red, brown, or grey fur, and their two wings are made of a hairless double membrane stretched across their elongated fingers and arm bones. Bats are the only mammals that are capable of true flight. There are eight species of bats in Wisconsin.
What are the Signs of Bats in Your Attic?
Bats are beneficial animals to have around your property but can pose a problem when they roost in your house. Bat infestations can damage your home and put the health of your family at risk. Attics, chimneys, and eaves are popular places for bats to roost and hibernate. A bat only needs a quarter-inch opening to gain access inside.
- Seeing a Bat – Having bats on your property does not necessarily mean that you could have bats inside. However, if you know you have bats outdoors, it can alert you to their possible presence indoors when you start seeing other signs.
- Bat Droppings – Bat guano resembles mouse droppings with a shiny, speckled appearance. You may notice piles near where bats enter and exit the building. Their droppings are typically found in attics on top of the flooring or insulation. Bat droppings can also be found on window sills, siding, dormers, and corners of roofing.
- Bat Noises – Bats produce high-pitched “clicking,” squeaks, or chipping sounds. Homeowners may hear scratching, chirping, and flapping sounds at night or early in the morning when bats enter or exit your house.
- Unpleasant Smells – Bat guano and urine produce a musty odor that smells like ammonia. The larger the bat infestation, the more profound the odor.
When is the Best Time to Remove Bats?
The best time to remove bats from your home is in the fall. Bat maternity colonies begin to form in early April. Bat exclusions are prohibited from June 1 to August 15 to protect Wisconsin’s little brown and big brown bats during maternity seasons. Exclusions occurring during this period will separate mothers from their flightless pups, leaving the pups to die of starvation and potentially exacerbating the homeowners’ bat problem. Bat exclusions can be performed from late August through early November when the young are strong enough to fly. Alternatively, bat exclusion can occur in late April through early May after the bats first wake from hibernation and before their young are born.
Are Bats a Protected Species?
Yes, bats are protected in Wisconsin, and killing them is illegal. Wisconsin’s bat population has been declining rapidly since 2014 due to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of hibernating bats. Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control follows all local, state, and federal regulations to ensure bats are protected throughout the removal process. Little brown and big brown bats are commonly found roosting in attics, chimneys, walls, and crawlspaces. In order to get the bats out, we provide humane bat eviction and exclusion services to allow bats to naturally exit your home but prevent reentry. All exclusion techniques cause no physical harm.
Do Bats Carry Rabies?
Yes, bats can carry rabies. Bats are the most commonly reported animal to have rabies in Wisconsin, but only about 6% of bats tested positive for rabies in the U.S. Bats primarily transmit rabies through bites. Bat bites can be hard to notice because bats have small teeth. Children, people with mental impairments, or people who are asleep may be especially vulnerable to unrecognized bites. If you come into contact with a bat or suspect you’ve been bitten, you should seek medical attention immediately. You can also capture the bat for rabies testing at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene.
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