Philadelphia Bats

Flying rats, or friendly flying squirrels. You can think of bats as friendly, or scary, but Philadelphia has a lot of bats. Over eight species of bats are common throughout Pennsylvania. It is not unusual for residents of Philadelphia to observe bats flying around, usually at dusk. Sometimes they get in your home. If you encounter a bat in your home, do not panic. Chasing or swatting at the bat only causes it to fly erratically and will needlessly prolong the incident.

Bats do not attack people. If you are outside at night, it could be possible to have a bat seem to swoop towards you. This is because our bodies attract insects, and the bat is merely looking for a meal. They will not try to become tangled in your hair and are not aggressive. Usually, if someone is bitten or scratched it is because the bat was acting in self-defense. For the most part, they remain in the shadows helping to sustain life on our planet while most other mammals sleep. Most people will have very few if any, direct interactions with them.

Health risks associated with bats are infrequent but are possible, therefore proceeding with caution is still recommended. Thankfully, being aware of the risks can help prevent bats from ever posing any real danger to you or your family!
A common myth about bats is that they all transmit rabies. Like all other mammals, bats do have the potential to contract and carry the virus. However, according to the National Park Service, less than 0.5% of bats in nature have rabies.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when dealing with bats outside your home is that they are a wild animal and should be left alone. Do not handle a sick or injured bat and if you observe one acting erratically, leave the area and contact your local health authority.
If a single bat flies into your house and you are sure it has not had any contact with people or animals in your home, confine the bat to a room with an open window and give it some time to find its way out on its own. Swatting or chasing the bat will only cause it to panic and could increase your risk of being bitten or scratched.

There are two most common bat species in Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania (the little brown bat and the big brown bat) both tend to choose buildings as their roost sites. This could be an old barn, an abandoned warehouse, or your attic.
Unlike rodents or other wildlife, bats themselves are not known to cause major structural damage to your home but their accumulated droppings can. Guano can stain your ceiling or walls, damage your insulation. Depending on your home’s
layout, it could even contaminate your water. There are also the health risks associated with guano accumulation, like histoplasmosis.

Many homeowners with bats roosting in their attic are bothered by the strong musky smell. Since bats are nocturnal, their squeaking and fluttering can also result in interrupted sleep. When dealing with roosting bats in your home, it is essential to seek expert advice. The Endangered Species Act protects many bat species in Pennsylvania, and particular steps and considerations must be taken for their removal. Evans Pest Control will provide expert consultation. If you have, or think you might have bats roosting in your attic, or on your property, then give us a call at (267) 582-2687