Much of the focus surrounding bats coexisting with humans is on the animals getting into private homes. Often, landlords only consider the possibility of bats when tenants identify their presence. Usually, this occurs because a lost bat enters a living space, or a worker sees a bat take off into the night as they leave the building after dark. The initial reaction in these situations is fear, and that can result in angry and frightened tenants who may take further action if the problem isn’t addressed.

Commercial buildings can provide bats with an ideal location to roost. They often have expanses of unused spaces that are perfect for large colonies. When these animals set up residence for a long period of time, they can cause extensive damage to your building. Bat urine and guano seep into and eat away at insulation, floors, and walls. Removing the bats, cleaning up the mess and repairing or replacing damaged materials is costly. It is best if landlords take care of the situation before it gets out of hand and contact bat removal Milwaukee experts right away.

How Bats Get Into Buildings

Fortunately, bats cannot chew or claw their way into a building. They have to enter through existing openings. Unfortunately, commercial structures — such as condominiums, apartment buildings and office complexes — often provide bats with numerous opportunities to gain entry. Since bats can fit through holes the size of a dime and slide through a narrow crack, detecting these openings takes time and a trained eye.

The rooftops of commercial structures are typically large, and landlords tend not to pay too much attention to them unless a roof repair is needed. As such, there are usually several locations that allow bats plenty of room to enter the building to roost. They may also pass through open windows and attic vents with missing or damaged screens.

Why Bats Are a Problem

These winged mammals have an undeservedly bad reputation. There is a lot of misplaced and exaggerated fear about bats and rabies. They indeed carry the disease, but there is little risk to humans where these creatures are concerned. They are highly unlikely to attack, even when in close quarters with humans. Most bites occur when people attempt to capture or harm one. Normal bat-flying behavior is often perceived as a bat attack because of the swooping motion they make when homing in on flying insects.

The biggest problem bats pose in your building is the damage they do and the costs for removal and repairs. However, once tenants discover their presence, there can be additional consequences. A tenant who fears that they might have been bitten may demand you cover expensive rabies vaccinations. You might also face lawsuits and the loss of your reputation. It is far better over the long haul to conduct regular surveillance of your property and address any issues before they become a bigger problem.

What To Do About Bats in Your Buildings

Bats provide a lot of natural benefits to our environments. The ones in the Milwaukee area are all insectivores. Each night, they remove thousands of crop and human pests. Every species is protected, so they cannot be harmed or killed. Legally, bat removal Milwaukee live trapping is the only option. It is one that is best left to skilled professionals, as it is necessary to utilize the right techniques at the right time to ensure the animals are removed safely and humanely.

Who To Call for Help

Skedaddle’s technicians are trained in bat behavior and biology. They have the knowledge and know-how to remove a single bat or an entire colony. Once the removal is complete, they clean contaminated areas and then locate and seal any bat entry points to prevent future problems. Contact us today for more information or to schedule services.