Hi my name is Brenden Mangnitz and I am the owner of 24/7 Wildlife Control. I have been in business now on my own for nearly five years and I have been in this industry for close to 10 years working with friends, family and other companies, while learning, training and understanding the wildlife removal & nuisance animal control industry. I started off by graduating from the University of South Florida with my business management degree. After this degree I got into the field of wildlife control because I knew there was a big issue with bats getting into people's trappers and I realized that there are not many professional bat removal companies. I wanted to be one of the most professional and honest bat removal and bat trapping companies out there and I realized that there is a big need to hire professional bat removal companies. You want to always hire a professional bat removal and bat trapper that is properly licensed, insured, bonded, has workers comp, but additionally you want to hire bat removal companies and bat trappers that show up in uniforms, have wonderful customer service, have clean trucks and respect both of you and the animals like the bats being trapped. We treat our animals in a humane way.
Bats carry many diseases and bacterias. Bats are experts at adapting to urban and suburban life, and nowadays we commonly see bats in and around homes, parks, neighborhoods, yards and properties with trash cans and dumpsters. These bats are carriers of diseases that can spread to people. When spread to people, these diseases are referred to as zoonosis. Pets should additionally be protected from bats; if a bat scratches or bites you or your pets, they can pass these diseases on to you and your family.
Should you be concerned about bats? Absolutely yes. You need to make sure you stay protected. What are the common concerns that we deal with regarding bats and the bacteria and diseases affiliated with bats in the attic? Number one is rabies. Rabies a disease caused by a virus and is almost always fatal. It spreads through a bite and infects the animal (or human). Additionally rabies is also present in bat saliva. If you have an open wound and a rabid bat spits on you, it can pass the rabies virus on to you. In a study from the CDC, bats are the most frequently reported animal species with rabies in the US, specifically the Eastern and Southern Eastern parts of the country. If you think you've been exposed to bat rabies, this means that you've either been bit and scratched or spat on by a bat. You need to make sure you report this bat exposure to your local CDC office immediately. Bites and scratches should be assessed by your healthcare provider and reported to the Public Health Care system.
Another concern about bats is bat roundworm. Many bats carry around one called Viola Securus. Infected bats pass it on eggs in feces; other animals and other people can be infected with bat roundworm by accidentally swallowing or ingesting these very small bat eggs from the roundworm in either the soil or the water, or if you had a bat infestation in your attic does bat roundworm eggs are in the feces. If you have air ducts open in your attic and there was roundworm eggs, they will become airborne can get into the vents and then you can breathe them at night. This is why you need to pay close attention if you have a bat infestation in your attic. Bat roundworm can be fatal if ingested. After the eggs are swallowed they hatch into larvae and move through different parts of the body and can cause serious illness. Within weeks symptoms may include tiredness, lack of coordination, loss of muscle control, blindness and even a coma. Although bat roundworm infections are rare, if encountered they can be under-diagnosed. If you suspect that you have swallowed bat roundworm eggs or even been in contact with bat poop you should seek health care immediately. Early treatment may help prevent a serious infection and even disease.
Another common concern when dealing with bats in the attic and bat diseases is leptospirosis. What cirrhosis is is a disease that is normally found in bat poop, bat urine and any of the contamination. From a bat infestation in the attic, cirrhosis is a disease caused by leptospira bacteria. This bacteria is carried in the urine of bats. If bats are in the attic they are generally going to pee in the attic. Bat leptospirosis can affect people and animals if it gets onto the skin, inhaled by the nose the mouth or throat, or even swallowed. Dogs are especially at risk and can die from this disease of leptospirosis. Common concerns and symptoms of leptospirosis from bat urine is influenza-like symptoms, severe headaches, muscle aches, pain high fevers and in some very serious cases of a bat in the attic the bacteria can cause serious liver and even kidney problems. If you feel that you may have the symptoms of leptospirosis you need to contact your CDC immediately and seek medical attention.
With all of this being said you need to make sure that you prevent diseases from a bat in the attic. What I normally tell my customers if they're dealing with bats in the attic and bats out around the property is don't feed the bats. Don't put food out for them. Make sure you lock the trash cans at night before the bats can eat the trash. If you have pets bring the pet food inside; if you leave the pet food outside bats are attracted to the pet food and they think that you are inviting them to your house. If you feed the bats and provide food for them you will encounter bat poop diseases, so eliminate the factors that attract the bats to your home. They're not going to want to be there plain and simple.
I strongly recommend giving me a call at 247wildlifecontrol.com. My name is Brendan Mangnitz and I'll be more than happy to go over any concerns of bacterial diseases or viruses that bat infestations can cause. If you need any more information you can always visit my How To Remove Bats guide for more bat facts.
