Are you starting to hear mysterious scratching and rustling sounds in your attic or walls at night? Have you noticed small, dark droppings around your home? You may have a bat problem. While bats play an essential role in our ecosystem as natural pest controllers, having them roosting in your home can be a nightmare. Bat infestations are unsanitary and pose potential health risks to you and your family. Here’s a guide on when to call for expert Lakeland, MN, bat pest control services.
1. Signs of Bat Infestation
The first step in determining if you need professional bat removal is identifying the signs of an infestation. Bats are nocturnal creatures, so you may not always see them flying around your home. However, their presence is often indicated by the following signs:
- Strange noises: As mentioned earlier, bats are most active at night and may produce scratching or rustling sounds as they move around your walls or attic.
- Bat droppings: You may find small, dark, and shiny droppings in or around your home. Bat droppings closely resemble mouse droppings but with a slightly more elongated shape.
- Stains and discoloration: Bats have oily fur, which can leave marks on walls or ceilings where they roost. These stains will also have a distinct musty odor.
- Property damage: Bats can create holes and gaps in your walls, roof, or attic as they enter and exit your home. They may also chew on wires and insulation, causing potential fire hazards.
If you notice these signs, it is best to call for professional bat removal immediately.
2. Health Risks Associated with Bat Infestations
Bats carry various diseases and pose significant health risks to you and your family. Their droppings, or guano, can contain a fungus that causes histoplasmosis, a severe respiratory disease. Breathing in bat droppings or dust contaminated with their droppings can also cause other respiratory issues. Additionally, bats can carry rabies, a viral disease that can be fatal if left untreated.
Children and pets are most vulnerable to these health risks as they may come into contact with bat droppings or carcasses while playing. It is crucial to call for professional bat control as soon as you suspect an infestation to avoid potential health hazards.
3. DIY Bat Removal vs. Professional Pest Control Services
You may be tempted to handle the bat infestation alone, but this can be dangerous and ineffective. Bats are protected species, and harming or killing them in many states is illegal. Removing bats without proper training and equipment can also increase health risks and cause more damage to your property.
Professionals in pest control in Eau Claire, WI, have the expertise, tools, and protective gear to safely and effectively remove bats from your home. They can also identify and seal potential entry points to prevent future infestations.
4. How Professional Bat Removal Works
Professional bat removal services follow a series of steps to ensure the safe and humane removal of bats from your property:
- Inspection: A trained professional will inspect your property for signs of bat activity and potential entry points.
- Removal: Once identified, the bats will be removed using humane methods. This may involve using one-way doors or exclusion devices that allow bats to exit your home but not re-enter.
- Exclusion: The professional will seal all potential entry points to prevent future infestations. This step is crucial as bats can fit through small gaps and crevices.
- Clean-up and disinfection: Bat droppings can be hazardous, and it is essential to have a professional clean-up and disinfect the affected areas. This step will also help eliminate any lingering odors.
- Prevention: Professionals may also provide recommendations on preventing future bat infestations, such as installing bat boxes away from your home for them to roost.
If you suspect a bat infestation in your home, it is best to immediately call for professional bat removal. Bats can pose serious health risks and should be handled humanely and effectively by trained professionals.
Don’t let bats take over your home! Contact the experts at Prompt Action Pest Control at (877) 877-6678 today for expert commercial pest control services in Lakeland, MN, to protect your family from potential health risks.
