Bats often seek shelter in people’s homes by squeezing through small, tight holes to enter an attic. Bats leave behind piles of droppings or guano, that can affect the health of humans.
Dangers of Disease from Bats
Bat droppings look like small, elongated pellets. Guano is often left in piles inside walls or under insulation. The fungal spores in guano can cause histoplasmosis, a lung disease that can cause fatigue, cough, and fever in humans. Most otherwise healthy adults can recover without medication, but the condition can be serious for infants and people with compromised immune systems.
Humans develop histoplasmosis by inhaling fungal spores from guano that is released into the air. People are more likely to develop health problems if they enter a confined area, such as an attic, with a large concentration of guano.
Bat droppings should be cleaned by a professional. It can be difficult to remove all traces of guano without the proper equipment and training and the process of cleaning can release spores into the air that can trigger lung problems. As guano ages, it turns to fine dust that can make it even harder to clean.
Other Signs of Bats in Your House
You may notice the distinctive smell of bat urine in your attic. Bat urine contains ammonia that can leave behind a strong, foul odor. Bats may leave trails of urine on the walls or in the rafters. In addition, the greasy film on bats’ coats can rub off and accumulate on the area they used as an entry point.
You may see or hear bats flying around your house at dusk when they leave to search for food. You may also hear wings flapping, scratching, and the high-pitched chirping sounds that bats use to communicate.
What to Do If You Have Bats in Your Attic
If you have noticed guano or other signs of bats around your home, your attic may be infested. Once bats locate an entry point, they will keep coming back and others will follow.
Don’t try to deal with bats yourself. In addition to the relatively small but serious danger of rabies, guano could make you sick. Call the professionals at Anderson Wildlife Control. We can exclude bats from your home, find the entry points they used to enter your attic and seal them off to stop bats from coming back. Once the bats are gone, you will need to have your home professionally cleaned to remove any droppings and to protect your family’s health.
