When it comes to the animals we fear most, it's generally the biggest that cause us the most stress. The thought of a bear, shark, big cat, or a bull (almost 4% of people fear them ) crossing our path is enough to cause a negative response. So why is that one of the smallest, the bat, can give us the chills? Movies and TV have given this creature a bad reputation as one that waits in the shadows, waiting to pounce and suck your blood, perhaps turning into a vampire. The skittish way they fly has a negative effect as well. The biggest fear, though, is the threat of disease, and this one has some facts behind it. If they have made their way into your home or business, you can rely on Matt's Animal Control for removal.

The Corona Virus brought to light the how's and whys that bats can carry diseases, and in the United States, the two most common are rabies and histoplasmosis. Rabies can be transmitted by a bite, scratch, or saliva making its way into our bodies. If you come across a dead one, don't touch it. The rabies virus can live for up to 48 hours in a deceased animal. 

Histoplasmosis is more easily transmitted. It comes from a fungus in the bat's excrement (guano). When the guano dries, it turns to dust, which can get into your ventilation system and spread through the property. The droppings are very corrosive, which can destroy insulation and wood. Our technicians are experts at cleanup, repairs, insulation removal, and insulation replacement.

At the first sign, it is important to have the issue addressed. It is more likely that you smell the issue before seeing it. Bats drop a large amount of guano, which can quickly build up. It has a powerful ammonia smell. After a while, it can seep into ceilings and leave oily stains. You may also see scratch marks and stains around openings to your attic. The most prevalent sign is seeing them flying around at sunset and sundown.

When they are not intruding on your life, they are amazing and hearty animals. Some species hibernate, and they can survive being completely covered in ice during their long sleep. They are not blind but have very poor eyesight. Their ability to "see" using echolocation is well documented, and they can also smell heat. These senses help them track the thousands of bugs they eat in a night, and at speeds close to one hundred miles per hour, the only flying mammal is rarely outrun. Even at those speeds, they can determine if their prey is poisonous or not.

Once inside your attic, bats return year after year to roost. We can get them out with one-way valves, which act like exit-only doors, and make sure they don't return. Contact us for your nuisance wildlife issues, including bats, raccoons, and opossums. We are the top-ranked animal removal service in Miami Valley and the surrounding area.