Bat Removal – Westchester New York
Have Bats roosting in your home or property?
Call the experts at CHAOS Wildlife for help!
While the thought of bats entering your home might be scary, what’s really frightening is what these animals bring with them- deadly viruses including rabies and histoplasmosis.
CHAOS Wildlife is trained and experienced with safely handling bat problems large and small. If you suspect you have bats in your home or property, don’t delay. Call CHAOS Wildlife today at (914) 618-5552.
Bat Distribution
In Westchester County, the most common species of bats are the Little Brown Myotis and the Big Brown Myotis. These species form colonies and can be found in groups in caves, hollow trees, and buildings. These animals typically feed over open fields, along woodland edges, or over lakes and streams.
Both kind of bats are insectivores. They feed exclusively on insects—mostly beetles, moths, flies, midges, mayflies, and to a very minor degree, mosquitoes.
Symptoms
Signs of a bat infestation in your home may include:
● Scratching sounds, especially at night or real cold or warm winter days
● A concentration of bat droppings on exterior walls, decks or porches
● Chirping sounds that come from the attic, walls or chimney during June, July or August
● Seeing bats fly away from your home at dusk
● A concentration of droppings in your attic or other areas of your house
● Urine smell that comes and goes, but is especially bad on humid, hot days
Also, it is important to note that a bat in the living area any time of the year could mean you have a colony living in your house.
Damages and Concerns
Because they are mammals, bats can carry rabies. This danger, however, is very minor. Of the sick bats that are brought in for testing ½ of 1% are tested positive for the rabies virus. Nonetheless, they should not be handled than someone other than a professional, and state law requires that bats found within an occupied dwelling be euthanized and tested for rabies.
Histoplasmosis is another disease associated with some bat colonies. The disease is caused by inhalation of spores or fragments of the naturally occurring soil fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus is most frequently found in soil enriched by excreta from bats and birds (especially pigeons and starlings). Human infections occur through the breathing dust that contains the spores. Some infections produce flu-like symptoms, but many infections in humans produce no symptoms or distress. Like all mammals bats may harbor fleas, mites, or ticks. Most of these bat parasites are highly host specific.