New York State has many bat species in its towns and cities. Bats pose a health risk to New York residents, and they can cause a great deal of damage to your home if they decide to stick around. Here are the common problems with bats in Albany, and what you can do to protect yourself and your home.

What Kinds of Bats are in NY State?

The two most common types of bats found in Upstate New York are:

• The little brown bat

• The big brown bat

When you are exploring Albany, the best place to see the little brown bat is at Five Rivers in Slingerlands. You can also take a quick drive across the Thruway to see them at Buttermilk Falls, Chenango Valley State Park, and Adirondacks to name a few.

What you didn’t know is that you can see bats in your backyard, and sometimes even in your attic!

Dangers of Bats

The New York State Health Department warns residents of the dangers bats pose to you and your loved ones. Of course, the most common concern about bats in your home is rabies. Bats are also a concern for those with respiratory issues and allergies. Bats spread fungus and diseases in their feces, and they can introduce bat mites into your home.

Additional concerns are the damage bats cause to your home:

• Feces and urine on your interior and exterior walls.

• Urine soaking through drywall.

• Holes in your exterior.

• Possible structural collapse from the collection of guano (collection of feces) and urine.

Do I Have Bats in My Home?

You’ve been experiencing strange sightings and hearing weird noises in the attic, correct? That is why you are here, isn’t it? These are just a few signs of bats in your home for which you should be on the lookout:

• You hear fluttering and commotion in your walls.

• You see bat droppings on your walls, windows, or on the outside of your home.

• You have found a dead bat in or around your home.

• You hear commotion in the attic at night.

• You see many bats flying around your home at dusk and dark.

• There are open gaps in wood and drains.

Bats are most active in spring and summer months. They hibernate in the winter. They might even be hibernating in your home.

How Do I Get Rid of Bats in My Home?

The first thing you need to know is that YOU should not be removing bats from your home. You may no have just one bat; you may have a roosting colony in your home. To remove bats, contact a wildlife control company like Thomas Pest Services.

Don’t attempt to control bats on your own. You risk causing more damage to your home; or worse, you may contract illness due to rabies. Thomas Pest Service has a team of professionals that can help you look for signs of bats, prevent bats from entering, and remove them from your home for good. Before summer rolls around, get rid of those bats in your Albany home today.