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Bat Ecology
Bats are nocturnal animals and feed most actively two to three hours
following sunset. They are efficient pest controllers as they consume three
times their body weight in insects per night. Bats select attics for nursery
colonies, however, during the day they roost in trees and in buildings. Bats
are usually born in June. Nests are not required as the young are able to
fly and obtain their own food within three weeks. Hibernation occurs between
November and March. Some species typically hibernate in attics of buildings
while others prefer caves. |
Diseases Bats May Carry
Although bats are beneficial they do have the potential to carry diseases
such as rabies and histoplasmosis, which can affect humans and animals. They
may also transmit distemper and mange to household pets. The mandatory
rabies vaccination protects your pets from rabies.
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous
system. It is found in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted
through a bite or by direct contact between infected saliva and the eyes,
nose, mouth or into an open wound or scratch. Bat's teeth are tiny and razor
sharp and thus bite marks may not be noticeable. Rabies is fatal if left
untreated.
The most common signs of rabies in a bat are the inability to fly and
resting in unusual places such as the ground. Rabies can only be confirmed
through a laboratory test.
Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in soil
contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Exposure to the fungus occurs when
the soil is disturbed. The disease primarily affects the lungs and can be
fatal if left untreated. If you are cleaning areas where bat droppings have
accumulated be sure to wear a protective mask and gloves and keep dust to a
minimum.
Bat Encounters
When you are bitten by a bat or if saliva from a bat gets into your eyes,
nose, mouth or a wound, wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical
attention immediately. If the bat can be captured without further exposure,
the health unit can arrange for it to be tested for rabies.
Should you find a bat in your home where a person was sleeping, or the
person is an infant, child, impaired, or mentally challenged, and contact
with the bat is difficult/impossible to determine, immediately notify your
family physician and local public health unit regarding treatment. If the
bat can be trapped without physical contact the Health Unit can arrange for
the bat to be sent for rabies testing. Should the test confirm that the bat
was rabid, the Health Unit in consultation with your family doctor can
provide rabies treatment.
If you find a bat in your home and are absolutely sure that there was no
human or animal contact, try to confine the bat to one room by closing the
door of the room, opening a window or door to the outside and then turn out
the lights. The bat should fly out early in the evening. Be sure to wear
gloves and other protective clothing at all times.
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Bat Proofing Your Home
Bat proofing your house is necessary when the bats are entering the living
space of your home. It is advisable to contact a pest management company or
a wildlife conservation agency for assistance with bat-proofing your home.
If you choose to bat-proof your home yourself, here are some suggestions:
The best time to bat-proof your home is in the fall or winter when bats have
left to hibernate. Bat proofing in spring and summer poses the risk of
trapping bats in your house where they can die or make their way into living
quarters.
Carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats entry into your
living quarters. Any openings larger than a dime are prime entry spots for
bats and should be sealed i.e. caulking, steel wool, and screening. An
accumulation of bat dropping on the exterior of your home indicates an
entry/exit point.
Screen your windows, vents and chimney caps. Install draft guards beneath
doors to attics. Fill electrical and plumbing holes with stainless steel
wool or caulking. Ensure all doors to the outside close tightly.
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Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
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