What are bats that live in Whitby doing this winter? One interesting thing about bats is the way they behave in the winter. Many scientists and bat fans marvel at the winged mammals’ ability to remain in deep rest for weeks, surviving the absence of food and water and emerging to rule the evening and night skies as spring approaches. This winter, like all other before, bats will be taking a long break from their duties, but this does not mean that residents won’t need wildlife control services to handle bat issues in their homes.

What Type of Bats Are in Whitby?

The city is home to 8 bat species; all of which spend the entire cold season in the area. These include:

1. Big brown bat
2. Little brown myotis bat
3. Hoary bat
4. Silver-haired bat
5. Eastern red bat
6. Tri-coloured bat
7. Northern long-eared myotis bat
8. Eastern small-footed myotis bat

All of these bats have special characteristics and spend their time in many different areas. They mainly roost in cavities, caves, under bridges and on tree branches. One interesting fact about bats is that they cannot survive the freezing cold and the case is the same even if they hibernate,  which is why they are so vulnerable during the winter and why they must find a warm place to spend the winter months.

Unfortunately, bats who don’t migrate, sometimes find themselves in human spaces in the winter. When this happens removal is a tricky business because disrupting bat hibernation causes them to rouse from the deep slumber and use up precious energy stores. Consequently, the winged mammals may be forced to hunt for food in a season when the food they eat is very scarce or die.

Bats and Your Home This Winter

While living in Whitby, you should keep a closer eye on your attic, which is a common place for a bat to get into and start living in winter. Bats try to hibernate in the darkest and quietest places in your house and will sneak into cracks to get inside your walls. They may also find a way into your exhaust vent or chimneys. The longer bats stay inside your home, the greater the damage they cause.

Though generally harmless, and undeserving of their bad reputation, bats are potential rabies carriers. Even though less than 1% ever get the disease, it is still a cause for concern. Bats are also a protected species in Ontario under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. It is illegal to kill them, even if you locate one in your home. Should you discover one or more in your house, it is safest for the bat and you if you contact our experts in bat removal. 

Why Expert Intervention is the Best Way

Bats are among the most gentle and helpful wildlife on earth. Each bat consumes thousands of pesky insects daily, resulting in less inconvenience for people.  Additionally, they help to maintain greenery by inadvertently dispersing seeds as they fly around. Their gentle nature along with their usefulness is one reason you should ensure that your bat prevention, removal, and exclusion strategies do not put them at risk. When bats wind up in human spaces it is usually a result of their effort to stay safe or to survive.

The best way to remove or exclude bats without putting them at risk is to contact our experts in bat removal. Skedaddle uses wildlife control, removal and exclusion strategies that are so efficient, your Whitby home will be back to normal in no time.