Down here in the swamps we have a LOT of bugs. And where there are a lot of bugs, you’ll find a lot of things that EAT bugs. That’s why today, we’re going to be talking about one of the most common Florida critters: Bats. We’ll discuss whether they’re a boon, a curse, and what to do if you’re facing an infestation.
Florida Critters: Bats – Overview
When it comes to bats in the sunshine state, there are about thirteen species in Florida. There’s about thirteen hundred in the whole world, but at least twenty have been found in our sunny peninsula. The extra seven species are usually just migratory. But our common species are the Mexican free-tailed, southeastern myotis, evening, eastern, red, northern yellow, and Seminole bats.
Our native bats are insectivores, meaning they eat bugs. A lot of bugs. They feed on moths, flies, dragonflies, beetles, wasps, ants, and even mosquitoes. They eat close to their body weight in insects every night. And while they’re not blind, they mostly rely on their echolocation to spot their prey. They forage as far as thirty miles from home each night and return each morning before dawn. They can usually be seen hovering twenty to fifty feet above the ground, but there have been reports of bats several thousand feet in the sky.
And while some species of bat prefer to sleep alone or in small groups, others like to be part of a colony. Some of these colonies live in caves, but you won’t find many of those in our southern slice of land. So they often find shelter in structures made by us. Solor or small groups roost up in tree cavities, undersides of branches, palm fronds, Spanish moss, or even in sheds or houses.
Most Florida bats love man-made bat houses. There are many plans to download online and instructional videos on how to build them and set them up. Pre-made bat houses are also available, but be sure to look for ones specifically intended for bats in your area.
But, in today’s Florida critters: bats, we’re not going to just talk about how great these guys are (or are we?). Let’s get into what a possible infestation is like and what you could do if that should fall upon you.
Florida Bats: Infestation?
And just to preface this section of the article, I want to really pound it into your head. These are not bad o r evil animals. They don’t drink blood, and they honestly don’t really want to be near you. They’re great for the ecosystem, they eat pests, and they even pollinate flowers! And in many states, not only is it inhumane to kill these guys, but also illegal. Many species of bats are protected by federal law.
What About Diseases?
Bats aren’t aggressive and aren’t out to bite you. So a bat bite is going to be a very rare occurrence. Less than one percent of them have rabies also. Not saying that it’s a good idea to go near one or touch it, and if you do get a bite, make sure to wash the site thoroughly and seek medical attention. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Guano?
But when it comes to guano, there is something to be said. “Bat guano (poo) carries fungal spores that can cause a lung disease known as histoplasmosis,” says Ron Pelshaw, president of My Bat Guy, Bat Removal and Prevention, Inc. It’s a fungus that people can get from breathing in spores in the air outdoor or inside, like the attic. It sounds alarming, but according to the CDC, most people don’t usually get sick from breathing in the fungus.
And the people that do get sick usually feel very tired, have a cough and fever, but feel better on their own, without medication. However, histoplasmosis can be a serious health issue for infants or those with a weakened immune system, especially where guano is confined, like in an attic. “If a bat infestation is not taken care of, guano will build up in the attic and can cause the people living in the home to become ill,” says Pelshaw.
Infestation Signs
But now it’s time to get into the actual signs of infestation. While rare, it could happen. To start, look out for those same Guano droppings. Bat guano looks like a bunch of tiny, long black pellets. It’s actually used as a fertilizer because it’s so rich in nitrogen. But, that’s not something you want in your home. You can find piles of it in your attic if you have a proper infestation.
And then you have the strong odor of ammonia. Much like rats, bats have a very strong odor of ammonia in their urine. Sometimes, if the infestation is really bad, you can see trails of urine coming down from the roofs. And then you have the grease marks. While great for the ecosystem, I wouldn’t exactly call bats clean. They have a greasy film on their coats, which leaves dark-brown residue near any entry or exit holes to your attic. Upon entering a home, they usually enter through a point that’s small, so they have to squeeze through it. During the process, this oil comes off, and after repeated entries and exits, the buildup will be obvious
Florida Bats: What To Do?
Bats have a massive role to play in our ecosystem. But that’s not to say that these Florida bats should be in our attics. If you have signs of an infestation, call a pest-control company for the humane removal of these animals. Bats are extremely territorial, so getting the area assessed by a professional will ensure the bats leave and can’t get back in. Also, keeping up with preventative maintenance after the exclusion is extremely important to ensure the bats do not find another way in.
Keep in mind, these are mostly protected animals. If whoever you contact suggests in any way killing or harming them, find a different company.
