For the most part, bats play an essential role in our ecosystem. They prey on many insects that are the bane of our existence. There are some ways that a bat can be a pest, however. There are several bat species found in Southern California and they can all cause problems for homeowners. Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. is here to talk about some of the bats you may see in Southern California and what property damage they have the potential of causing.
Common Bat Species Found in Southern California
Like mentioned above, there are several bat species that can be spotted in the Southern California area. Here is a rundown of some of the species most commonly found here.
• Mexican Free-Tailed Bat– This is the most popular bat found in the Western Hemisphere and is widely popular in the Carlsbad Caverns.
• Little Brown Bat– Incredibly common in the U.S. as well as Canada and its guano was used as fertilizer for many years because it is rich in nitrate.
• Pallid Bat– These bats move much slower than most bats with their wings only moving at 10 to 11 beats per second. They live in colonies of anywhere from 30 to 100 bats.
• California Myotis– Found from the Alaskan panhandle all the way to Mexico, this bat will roost in natural as well as manmade structures.
• Mexican Long-Tongued Bat– Unique for its long nose and long tongue with big eyes, this bat is found from Southern California to Southern Arizona.
• Long-Legged Myotis– Found from Southeastern Alaska to Central Mexico, this bat is a Federal Special Concern Species.
• Western Pipistrelle– This is one of the first bats to emerge at dusk and is found in the entire west coast of the U.S., down across Arizona and into parts of Texas.
Can Bats Chew Through Walls? What Damage Do They Cause in My Attic & House
While bats don’t chew their way into a building like rodents do, they do cause other property damage as well as health concerns. Here are a couple of concerns when you have bats roosting on your property.
• Spread of Disease– Just like other animals, bats carry diseases like rabies. They don’t usually bite humans, but it is still a risk. Their guano can carry Histoplasmosis which is a risk for any suffering from immunity disorders, the elderly and young children.
• Bat Mite Infestation- Bat mites resemble bed bugs and are often mistaken for them. They will use humans as a host, which makes them even easier to mistake for bed bugs.
• Structural Damage– Like mentioned above, bats don’t chew their way through a structure, but their guano cause problems. Their urine and guano will start to accumulate when they are using your structure to roost and that will then seep into the building. It can cause damage to insulation, sheet rock, particle board and ceilings which is a mess to clean up.
Bat Inspections, Control, Removal, Exclusion & More in San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Diego Counties, California
If you find you have a bat problem, it is important that you don’t try to get rid of them on your own. Many bats are legally protected and killing them can result in a fine. The experts at Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. have the experience and training needed to handle any bat problem you may have before you experience expensive structural damage to your property. Call us today for all your pest control and wildlife removal needs!
