Control of Bats in NYC, Long Island, and New Jersey
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Bats are small, nocturnal, flying mammals. About nine species of bats are known to exist in the New York / New Jersey area, the most common of which is the Little Brown Bat, shown on the right.
Contrary to popular belief, bats are not rodents, nor do they suck the blood out of babies, nor do they get stuck in people's hair. Neither are they blind, although they do rely on echolocation to navigate when flying, especially in the pitch-black caves that are their natural habitat. In nature, Little Brown Bats live in caves, emerging only at night to feed on mosquitoes, moths, and other insects considered to be pests. A large bat brood may consume hundreds of pounds of insects in a single night, making them among the most beneficial of animals.
When do Bats Become a Problem?
Bats become a problem mainly when they nest in attics, belfries (yes, we had to get that one in), and other human-occupied areas. Bats carry fleas, ticks, bat bugs, and other parasites that are capable of causing diseases, and their droppings often contain fungal spores that can cause histoplasmosis, a potentially serious and sometimes fatal disease of the lungs.
In addition, about five percent of bats submitted for examination test positive for rabies. Ordinarily this doesn't present a hazard to humans or domestic animals, since bats rarely come in contact with us. But when bats roost in human-occupied areas, the risk, though still slight, is nonetheless significant. (Individuals who do come into frequent contact with bats, such as spelunkers (people who explore caves) and animal handlers, are usually advised to receive pre-exposure rabies inoculations from their health care providers.)
Bat Control
Bat control is accomplished solely by exclusion. At Pest Quest Pest Management, we strictly adhere to the standards of Bat Conservation International, which call for exclusion using one-way devices installed on buildings during times of the year when young bats will not be trapped inside the building. Once a building is free of bats, we then remove the one-way devices and seal the openings so that bats cannot get back inside.
In most cases, it will also be be necessary to thoroughly clean and treat the areas previously occupied by bats to remove parasites and droppings.
If bats have taken up residence in your home or business, please contact Pest Quest Pest Management for professional, humane, and environmentally sound bat removal.
Pest Quest Pest Management serves the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, The Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens); Nassau and Western Suffolk counties in Long Island; and all of Central New Jersey including Elizabeth, Bayonne, Jersey City, Middlesex County, Union County, and Hudson County. Site designed, maintained, and hosted by RJM Web design.
