Contrary to popular belief, bats are not major carriers of the rabies virus; however, those that actually are have a tendency to be clumsy and thus are more prone to human contact. This makes incidents of bat infestation seem scarier than they really ought to be. Unfortunately, having bats move into homes is fairly common, even in urban areas. For this reason, it would be handy to have animal control and wildlife removal services on speed dial.
According to an article in CBC News, one tenant from a Saskatoon suite experienced bat troubles that just went from bad to worse. Christina Abbott says that the problem started when she discovered a single bat one day, followed by another a week later. Eventually, Abbot found three more bats in her bathtub, making it a total of five bats.
Even if you find just a single bat, it’s advisable to immediately call in personnel who are competent in bat exclusion, such as the staff of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. That one bat may just be the tip of the iceberg, as it’s likely to attract others to roost in your house as well. These creatures do have a tendency to live in close proximity to each other, whether in small groups or massive colonies.
Homes and buildings like the aforementioned Saskatoon apartment are actually ideal places for bats to make their dwellings. This is because bats enjoy the relatively consistent temperatures provided by walls spaces and attics, much to the chagrin of tenants like Abbott. When bat colonies are healthy, the animals can live and thrive for up to twenty years.
The management of Abbott’s apartment has reportedly done their part to control the bat colony situation by hiring contractors to seal all visible holes. However, sealing bat entry points is just one part of the solution. To successfully get rid of bat colonies, a thorough assessment is also required, followed by precautionary measures.
After sealing the tiniest holes and humanely getting rid of the bats, a thorough inspection of the apartment must be done to ensure that they don’t leave anything behind like carcasses, droppings, and other contaminants that could pose health risks. Even if rabies is transmitted by the bite of infected animals, Abbott reportedly had herself vaccinated against the pathogen, just to receive some peace of mind.
Although most bats are rather small, they can be a terrible burden and a huge health risk to homeowners in various parts of the country. To successfully and humanely remove bats from your premises, it’s imperative to contact a reputable animal control company like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.