If you have been hearing unusual noises in your home or smelling disconcerting smells, it is possible that you could have a bat problem. Bats prefer to make their homes in dark, confined spaces protected from the elements, and human homes check all the boxes. Add to that the undisturbed nature of many attics (often filled with bugs), and suddenly, your house is the place to be. From there, bat removal should be your number one priority, as bats can quickly become entrenched and difficult to remove.
Many people begin by attempting DIY bat removal solutions. However, this is not recommended and can be problematic; in fact, it may even threaten your life. Removing bats is best left to the professionals, who have the tools, knowledge, and skills to handle the project without putting you or your home at risk. Here is why DIY bat removal can be dangerous and ineffective.
Key Takeaways
- Bats reproduce quickly, so they must be addressed as soon as possible.
- Homeowners should not try bat removal themselves because they may contract deadly diseases, harm their property, or even break the law.
- Professional bat removal is a better choice because pros have the personal protective equipment, legal knowledge, and specialized tools required for success.
The Challenges and Risks of DIY Bat Removal
If you are a resourceful person, you might think that getting rid of bats should be fairly easy. Why call professionals when you can just handle it yourself? In reality, tackling a bat problem entails a host of significant risks.
Danger to human health and safety
Because they are mammals, bats can carry a wide range of serious diseases. However, the two most concerning health risks to humans are rabies and histoplasmosis. Rabies is a significant concern; it is fatal, and because bat teeth are small, people rarely even realize that they have been bitten.
However, histoplasmosis is a lesser-known but no less harmful possibility. Caused by a fungus that grows on bat droppings, histoplasmosis causes lung inflammation, a bloody cough, fever, exhaustion, and more. Chronic histoplasmosis, which can occur even with treatment, is often compared to having tuberculosis. The mortality rate for histoplasmosis cases can reach up to 40%.
Property damage
In addition to the risks to human health, your property can also be damaged by DIY bat removal. All of the fixes, screens, and adjustments you make can cause harm to your homeās siding and frame, and many people seal up spots that they did not realize were essential for their homeās function. Additionally, any guano that is not promptly cleaned up can cause mold and rotting wood that can damage structures. All of these factors can lead to trapped air, increased humidity, and more.
Inefficiency
One of the most frustrating things about bats is that they are stubborn. If you take the DIY route, you will be moving at a snailās pace compared to their growing population. This only worsens your bat problem and exacerbates the other issues mentioned earlier. For instance, more bats produce more droppings, which means greater exposure to histoplasmosis and more structural damage to your home, where droppings rot the wood and place extra weight on supports or ceilings.
Legal problems
Many people are unaware that theirĀ jurisdiction may protect bats. These valuable ecosystem movers and shakers play essential roles in pollination and controlling bug populations, so harming them may be against the law. Homeowners handling their own DIY methods do not have access to the tools or skills necessary to safely remove bats in a humane manner that complies with local laws. You could find yourself in legal hot water.
Why the Pros Do It Better
Getting rid of bats is a challenge, but the professionals have you covered. They are a much better approach to the problem because they have:
- PPE: Personal protective equipment that is specifically designed to handle bats keeps professionals safe from histoplasmosis, rabies, and other issues.
- Tools: Many teams will have access to tools you do not, including high-quality one-way doors to help the bats get out without being able to return.
- Knowledge: Professionals understand your local rules about bat control, and they will formulate their strategy so that no one gets in trouble.
Get Professional Bat Removal from a Team You Can Trust
If you suspect that bats might have pinpointed your home as their next vacation spot, the most important thing you can do is reach out to the professionals as soon as possible.
The team at Spartan Animal & Pest Control can help you get rid of bats the right way and keep them away for the long term, all without damaging your house.
Contact Spartan Animal & Pest Control to schedule a visit before your bat problem gets out of hand or you get sick.
