Bats are both helpful and harmful and commonly found throughout New York State. However, when bats move into our home, they are often unwelcome guests. If you do find bats in your home or in your attic, it is important to exercise caution. Thomas Pest Services, your Albany wildlife removal specialists answers some of your questions about bats.

Q: What species of bats are most common in the Albany area?

A: We have several species of bats in New York State. New York is home to at least 9 species of bat, the little brown bat being the most popular. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, little brown bats have a wingspan of 8-9" and a body length of 3-4½ inches. Little brown bats are covered in a coat of silky cinnamon and dark brown hair, and pale grey underneath, with black hand-like wings. Bats make sounds by echolocation, which are generally too high pitched for the human ear to hear. You may be able to hear a click or squeak as they fly by directly overhead.

Q: How common are bats in urban habitats like walls or attics, and how adaptable are they?

A: Little brown bats feed primarily over wetlands and other still water where insects are abundant. Little brown bats roost in the summer in buildings (barns, attics, outbuildings) with the males and females roosting apart. The females gather into maternity colonies. They prefer hot spaces, such as right under the roof. The increased heat from the roof and multiple bat bodies helps the pups to grow faster. Males roost in smaller colonies, and may use tree cavities as well as buildings. In the winter, little brown bats hibernate in clusters, in mines and caves. These conditions are also prime for the fungus, Geomyces destructans, which is the main agent in white-nose syndrome, which is killing hundreds of thousands of bats.

Q: What health hazards are associated with bats?

1. Diseases. Bats are associated with a few diseases that affect people, such as rabies and histoplasmosis.
2. Other Insects. Bat roosts can harbor parasites that may invade buildings like bat bugs and even fleas.
3. Destructive. Bat droppings and urine can ruin insulation and attic spaces. Overtime, bat droppings  produce a unpleasant odor.  Bat hygiene requires them to rub themselves on surface of walls and entry points in their chosen dwelling place.

 Q: What environmental/ecological benefits do bats provide?

A: Bats are extremely important!  A single bat can eat 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour. Pregnant females eat their body weight in insects every night.

Q: What are alternatives to extermination to remove bats from inhabited buildings?

A: Bats can always be safely removed from buildings without harming the bats. All of the bats won’t leave the building for the entire night. Often people will close up entry and exit points to the building, unknowingly leaving bats trapped inside where they will die. This can easily happen when baby bats that cannot fly yet are still inside. It is possible to leave large number of bats trapped; therefore, exclusion of bats from a building is best done by a bat removal professional.

Avoiding any contact with bats should be prevented and avoided. If you are hearing noises or have had a bat in your home, you should call the Albany NY wildlife removal. Thomas Pest Services offers bat removal for Chatham, Troy, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Saratoga and throughout the Capital Region. Our bat experts are trained in bat removal, understanding their biology and habitats to safely remove them from your home. For more information about getting rid of bats, contact us today for a free inspection. 

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