Wildlife Control: Bats
Bats are nocturnal mammals known for their ability to navigate and hunt in the dark using echolocation. While they play an essential role in controlling insect populations, they often seek shelter in attics, walls, and other dark, secluded spaces within human structures. Professional wildlife control is necessary to safely handle bat infestations, prevent damage to property, and mitigate health risks.

Identification:

1. Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)

• Size: Small, with a body length of 3–4 inches and a wingspan of 8–10 inches.
• Colour: Brown fur on the back with lighter, tan-coloured undersides.
• Habitat: Prefers caves and mines for hibernation, but can also be found roosting in buildings, trees, or under bridges during the warmer months.
• Behaviour: Primarily insectivorous, feeding on moths, beetles, and other flying insects. It is the most common bat species in Ontario but has been severely impacted by White-nose Syndrome.

2. Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

• Size: Larger than the little brown bat, with a body length of 4–5 inches and a wingspan of 12–13 inches.
• Colour: Ranges from dark brown to reddish-brown on the back, with paler undersides.
• Habitat: Found in a variety of roosting sites, including trees, buildings, and caves. This species is more resilient to White-nose Syndrome compared to others.
• Behaviour: Known to be a voracious insect hunter, especially targeting beetles and moths. It is more active during dusk and dawn.

3. Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis)

• Size: Medium-sized, with a body length of 3–4 inches and a wingspan of about 10 inches.
• Colour: Light to dark brown fur, often with a slightly reddish or golden tint.
• Habitat: Prefers roosting in forests, especially in hollow trees and caves. It hibernates in caves or mines during the winter months.
• Behaviour: Insectivorous, feeding on moths and other flying insects. This species is highly susceptible to White-nose Syndrome, and its population has drastically declined.

4. Tri-Coloured Bat (Perimyotis subflavus)

• Size: Small, with a body length of 3–4 inches and a wingspan of about 9 inches.
• Colour: Its fur is unique, with three distinct colours—light brown at the base, dark brown in the middle, and yellowish-brown at the tips—giving it a tri-coloured appearance.
• Habitat: Prefers roosting in trees, buildings, and sometimes caves. This bat is migratory, often moving south for the winter.
• Behaviour: It feeds primarily on moths, beetles, and other insects. The tri-coloured bat has seen significant population declines due to White-nose Syndrome.

5. Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus)

• Size: Large, with a body length of 4–5 inches and a wingspan of 13–14 inches.
• Colour: Has a distinct appearance with frosty, silver-grey fur on the back and a white-tipped belly. Its fur looks "hoary," giving it its name.
• Habitat: Roosts in trees and migrates to warmer southern regions during the winter.
• Behaviour: Known for being solitary and migratory, it feeds on moths, beetles, and other insects. Its long migratory journey makes it vulnerable to threats like wind turbines.

6. Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)

• Size: Medium-sized, with a body length of about 4 inches and a wingspan of 12 inches.
• Colour: Bright reddish-orange fur, particularly on the back, and a lighter-coloured belly.
• Habitat: Prefers roosting in tree foliage during the summer months and migrates to southern regions during winter.
• Behaviour: It is a solitary bat, feeding on insects like moths and beetles. The eastern red bat is one of the few bat species that are not as heavily affected by White-nose Syndrome.

Common signs of bat activity include:

• Noises such as scratching or fluttering sounds, often heard at dusk or dawn, as bats enter or exit roosting sites.
• Visible entry points around chimneys, vents, gaps, or cracks in walls or roofs, typically around 1–2 inches in diameter.
• Bat droppings (guano) that accumulate near entry points or in attic spaces, which may have a shiny, grainy texture.
• Dark stains or smudges around entry points caused by oils and dirt from bat fur.

Life Cycle:
Bats typically mate in fall or late summer, with mating rituals often occurring during swarming. Female bats give birth to 1–2 pups per year after a gestation period of about 40 days. Pups are nursed for about 4–6 weeks, during which time they learn to fly and hunt. Bats in the wild can live 5–20 years, depending on the species and environmental conditions.

Diseases:
Bats can transmit several diseases and parasites that pose risks to humans and pets, including:

• Rabies: Bats are one of the primary carriers of rabies. While transmission through bites or saliva is rare, it's important to avoid direct contact with bats.
• Histoplasmosis: A fungal infection caused by inhaling spores from bat droppings, which can lead to respiratory issues.
• Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever): Another respiratory disease caused by inhaling fungal spores from bat guano.
• Parasites: Bats can carry mites, ticks, fleas, and bat bugs, which can infest human dwellings.

Professional Control Methods:
Professional bat control involves humane, safe, and effective methods to address infestations:

1. Inspection and Identification: Wildlife experts inspect the property to identify entry points, roosting sites, and signs of bat activity, such as guano accumulation or staining around entry points.
2. Exclusion and Prevention: Bats are typically removed using a one-way exclusion method, where bats are allowed to exit but cannot re-enter. Entry points are sealed after the bats have left to prevent future access.
3. Humane Eviction: Bats are evicted in a way that minimizes harm, usually during late summer or early fall, when pups are old enough to fly and leave the roost.
4. Sanitation and Restoration: Droppings and urine-soaked materials are carefully cleaned and disinfected to remove the risk of diseases like histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis. Damaged insulation and structural materials are replaced.
5. Homeowner Guidance: Experts educate homeowners on bat-proofing their homes, such as sealing cracks and gaps, installing chimney caps, and avoiding the use of toxic repellents, which are often ineffective and harmful to the bats.

Professional bat control ensures humane removal, protects public health, and prevents damage to property, offering a long-term solution to bat-related issues.