What Type Of Damage Will Bats Create In The Attic?
It’s getting close to that time of year when we start seeing flying visitors inside our homes. While bats do not intend to cause a problem, it’s easy to see how they could become a problem if they are allowed to take over your home. One stray bat can quickly turn into a colony if left unchecked.
Because of their corrosive waste, bats can cause serious structural damage. Guano deposits, which are formed by bat droppings, can harm and degrade the structure of your home by causing corrosion, wood decay, and stains.
Bats in the attic can spread diseases and damage building materials. Understanding how and why the damage occurs will aid in the bat exclusion and attic restoration process.
Learn More: Common Bat Removal Questions
Bat Guano & Urine Structural Damage
Bats will begin to roost in specific areas once they have entered an attic. In large deposit areas, droppings can start to accumulate and become heavy. If droppings or guano begin to collect on a duct line, the line will begin to buckle under the weight, restricting airflow. If a line has been breached by an animal other than a bat, bat guano could contaminate the line, affecting the entire duct system (spreading bacteria).
Damage to the insulation is one of the most common issues with bats in the attic. Bats are small mammals that can weigh only a few ounces and can cause insulation damage in various ways. Insulation can be quickly damaged by bat latrines or areas where they use to go to the bathroom. Droppings accumulate daily, and the insulation can only absorb so much urine and feces. Contaminated insulation must be properly removed and disposed of by wildlife decontamination professionals.
Odors From A Bat Infestation
Odors, like sounds, are notoriously difficult to describe. The majority of the odor produced by a bat infestation comes from the bats themselves and their urine, not from the guano. As a result, it has a musty, ammonia-like odor, becoming more pervasive and bothersome as the colony grows larger. This distinct scent is impossible to miss once identified, but the good news is that once the bats have been removed, the odor quickly dissipates. Contact wildlife control experts to rid your home of bats and their distinctive odor.
Bat Diseases
In an attic, bat guano can pose a serious health risk. Airborne particulates can circulate as the animal continues to walk over droppings. This could be a disaster if there is duct damage and feces present. The accumulation of bat guano should be avoided at all costs. Areas in your attic with a lot of feces should be left alone, and professional help should be contacted to remove the droppings.
Pathogens, parasites, and bacteria can often be found in feces accumulations in the attic. Droppings do not decompose as naturally as they would if left outside in the elements. Bacteria and zoonotic disease can be found in bat guano in an attic with poor ventilation. You should seek immediate assistance from Wild Animal Control specialists if your attic has become contaminated, contact Animals Happen.
How To Prevent Bat Damage In The Attic?
The only way to prevent bat damage in an attic is to exclude the critters in the first place. Repair roof, vent, and siding damage will prevent easy access for a bat colony. If the attic is already infested, it’s imperative to request help from a bat control professional before costly damage can occur.
A live exclusion device is used to remove bats from an attic. It is both the most effective and the only legal option. Since bats are federally protected animals, it’s illegal to capture or trap the wild animals. A live exclusion is when a one-way door is installed that allows the bats to exit the building but prevents them from returning freely. It’s a simple concept, but putting it into practice is difficult. Because bats can enter a building through very small cracks (as small as 1/4″), bat removal can be difficult. For proper bat exclusion services, contact Animals Happen to be connected with a humane bat removal company near you.