Most people don’t think much about bats until they happen across one in their own home. The average resident, therefore, doesn’t know much about the conservation crises currently simmering across much of North America. Bats have been seriously threatened by a fungal infection, and as a result governments have enacted a number of laws to protect the flying critters from local extinction. As you call wildlife removal in York, consider the plight of North American species.

Why Are Bats Important?

The world’s only flying mammals are not only interesting, but ecologically vital. Bats eat millions of insects every year. Often, these are the same insects that cause extensive damage to crops and threaten humans with transmissible diseases. In fact, scientists have suggested that healthy populations of predatory mammals are one of the primary factors preventing mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria from traveling northward with warming climates. For these reasons, keeping bat populations thriving is extremely important for both the economic and medical benefits they provide.

Like many other animals across the world, bats are rapidly losing habitats to human activity. As a result of their need for safe areas with relatively specific environmental conditions to survive harsh winters, they often have an especially hard time dealing with lost habitat. Recently, however, over a dozen species have become seriously threatened by a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome.

What Is White-Nose Syndrome?

White-nose syndrome, or Pseudogymnoascus destructans, prevents hibernating animals from remaining in a true hibernation for long enough to survive winter seasons. As the infection causes the creatures’ body temperatures to rise, infected bats quickly burn off fat stores and die of starvation. In many cases, infections spread quickly and kill off the vast majority of animals in a single colony. Those who do survive the disease are left with a significantly diminished mating pool. 

In many places, this has brought affected species to the brink of extinction. With diminished abilities to eat, procreate, and hibernate, even the survivors of fungal incidents are often unable to live much longer. Though concerned scientists are hard at work on a cure, an effective solution is still many months away at best.

What To Do if You See a Bat

Fortunately, environmental organizations have recognized widespread threats to bats in North America and taken measures to preserve their numbers. It is now illegal to kill many species, even when they come into proximity with humans. 

Finding a bat in your home can be a terrifying experience. While it is uncommon, they can carry rabies and may bite to defend themselves. You are unlikely, however, to be attacked in your home unless you seriously provoke your intruder. The best thing you can do is keep your distance and call a wildlife control professional.

If you’ve located an entire colony in your attic or another secluded space, you may have to wait for the correct season to have the animals removed. Generally, it is illegal to remove bats during the months between spring and summer. This is because newborn pups are still too helpless to find their way out of your home on their own. If you seal off entryways during this time, young pups can die of starvation.

After locating a colony, you should check your home for greasy spots on carpeting or other surfaces, signs of bat droppings, or other obvious evidence of an unknown infestation. This can help professionals to diagnose the extent of your problem and block areas between humans and animals.

Bat Control

A humane wildlife expert will know exactly how to cordon off your home during the warmer months. When this period ends, they can help evict animals and seal off potential entryways, effectively preventing future infestations. At Skedaddle, we comply with all existing laws and regulations regarding animal removal. For experienced, caring wildlife service, call Skedaddle today.