Bats, often shrouded in myth and misconception, play a vital role in our Inland Empire ecosystem. In fact, they can be great helps in pest control! While some people may fear them, understanding their behavior and ecological importance can foster a greater appreciation for these fascinating creatures. This post focuses on the bats of Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California, exploring their habitats, diets, and the potential risks they pose to humans and animals.

Bat Species of the Inland Empire

Riverside and San Bernardino counties, with their diverse landscapes ranging from arid deserts to mountainous regions, provide habitat for a variety of bat species. Some of the most commonly encountered bats include:

The Mexican Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) is one of the most abundant bat species in North America. They are known for their large colonies, often numbering in the thousands, and their high-altitude flight.

The Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is a relatively large bat found throughout North America. They are adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including urban areas.

The California Myotis (Myotis californicus) is a small bat species commonly found in western North America. They prefer forested areas and roost in tree cavities and rock crevices.

The Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) is another small bat species found in arid and semi-arid regions of the western United States. They often roost in caves, mines, and buildings near water sources.

Pallid bats (Antrozous pallidus) are larger bats with pale fur. They are unique in that they often glean insects from surfaces rather than catching them in flight.

Bat Habitats and Diets

Bats occupy a wide range of habitats in the Inland Empire. They roost in caves, mines, rock crevices, tree cavities, and even human-made structures like attics, barns, and under bridges. Their choice of roosting site depends on the species and the availability of suitable shelter.

The vast majority of bats in this region are insectivores, meaning their diet consists primarily of insects. They are highly efficient predators, consuming large quantities of mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and other insects each night. This makes them a valuable natural form of pest control. Some bat species, like the pallid bat, may also consume scorpions and other arthropods.

Potential Dangers to Humans and Animals

While bats provide valuable ecological services, they can also pose some risks to humans and animals:

Rabies: Bats are known carriers of rabies, a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. However, the incidence of rabies in bats is relatively low. It is important to avoid handling bats, especially if they appear sick or disoriented. If you are bitten by a bat, seek immediate medical attention.

Histoplasmosis: This respiratory infection is caused by a fungus that grows in bat droppings (guano). Inhaling airborne fungal spores can cause flu-like symptoms. Cleaning large accumulations of bat guano should be done with caution, wearing protective gear such as a respirator.

Bat Bugs: These are parasites closely related to bed bugs that feed on bat blood. While they typically prefer bats as hosts, they may occasionally bite humans if bats are roosting in a home.

Droppings (Guano): Accumulations of bat guano can create unpleasant odors and attract other pests. In large quantities, it can also damage building materials.

Protecting Yourself and Your Property:

The best way to minimize the risks associated with bats is to prevent them from roosting in your home or other structures. This can be achieved by:

• Sealing any cracks and openings in your home’s exterior, including around windows, doors, and vents.
• Ensuring that screens on windows and doors are intact.
• Covering chimneys and other large openings.

If bats are already roosting in your home, it is best to contact a professional wildlife removal service. They have the expertise and equipment to safely and humanely remove bats and prevent them from returning. It’s important to avoid attempting to remove bats yourself, as this can increase the risk of exposure to rabies and other health hazards. Bats are an important part of our local ecosystem, and understanding their role is key to coexisting peacefully. If you need assistance after a bat has taken up residence in or around your home or business, call us at 909-335-1486 or click here to request pest control service.

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Think you have a pest problem? It is fairly easy to determine if mice, rats, or bats are inhabiting your home; their droppings and the noise will indicate if your home is infested. Take care of the issue swiftly and effectively with a pest control professional to prevent the property and health damage that an infestation can cause. 

Mice

If you spot a mouse in your home, you may already have an infestation. Mice carry diseases as well as fleas and ticks; their urine and droppings can cause respiratory illness with prolonged exposure. If you suspect you have a mouse (or more) in your house, don’t delay calling an exterminator- mice can reproduce very quickly!  

The best ways to prevent a mouse sighting from becoming an infestation are:

• Clean your home thoroughly. Get rid of any food, trash, or debris that could be attracting mice.
• Seal cracks around windows and doors. Use caulking or wads of steel wool to deter mice from gaining entry.
• Pick up and cover your pets’ food dishes at night. Prevent your pet food from becoming a food source for pests.

Talk to your exterminator about the most humane way to rid your home of mice quickly.

Rats

There are a few stages to successful rat removal: inspect, seal, trap, and listen. The key to getting rid of rats is to first seal any and all points of entry and trap later-on. There is no point in wasted efforts trapping rats when you leave holes and gaps for them to continue to enter the home.

Don’t believe the hype about holistic tactics like mothballs or ammonia getting rid of rats; seal your cracks, crevices, and call an exterminator.

Other Rodents

There are a lot more rodents to be concerned with than mice and rats; the rodent family includes other gnawing mammals that can easily gain access, infiltrate, and infest your home and yard this summer. Some rodents to watch for include:

• Squirrels
• Porcupines
• Voles
• Gophers
• Beavers

Even if these rodents don’t gain access inside your home, they can wreak havoc outside gnawing, chewing, and digging around your property. Call a professional exterminator for help.

Bats

Brown bats are quite common in homes across the nation. They are typically found in barns or attics, as they nest where it is dark and sheltered. Bats live in colonies of 20 to several hundred, so if you see one in your attic or crawlspace, you could have a lot more. Bats can carry rabies and may attack when under stress, so don’t try to remove bats without the assistance of a pest control professional.

Keeping bats out of the home is easier than getting rid of them:

• Seal up any cracks or gaps. Openings could provide entry to bats. Use caulking to seal up anything bigger than a half-inch.
• Screen in your pool and outdoor living area. Outdoor structures could also provide refuge for bats.
• Rid your attic of bats. If you notice bats taking up residence on your porches or decks, it could indicate that they are also inside the home. . If you remove the ones indoors, the ones outside will move on.
• Trap bats during the day. Bats are most active at night. During the daytime, they are often hanging around sleeping; this is key when trapping bats.

Remember that time is of the essence when it comes to pests. The faster you call an exterminator or wildlife removal expert and address the issue, the less likely there will be a full-blown infestation.

Seeing the signs of rodents or bats? Call the pest control specialists at Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc to prevent pest problems fast. An infestation can occur quickly; call the pest professionals today.

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Because of how bats are portrayed in horror movies and TV shows, many people have an overwhelming fear of these creatures. Aside from inducing fear, bats are also annoying and risky to have in your home and around your family.

Unfortunately, bats can easily get into homes through openings in the attic. The openings don’t even have to be big because the body of a bat is small, measuring around the size of a human thumb.

Even though bats in the attic are a common nuisance for many homeowners, most people do not really understand these annoying mammals. With this guide and your pest control professional’s help, you will learn the truth behind a few common bat myths.

1. They Drink Your Blood

One of the most common myths about bats is that they are solely after your blood. Thankfully, this myth is not exactly true. While the vampire bat does feed on blood, the risk that one will attack you is very low.

Vampire bats may hide in dark caves and buildings in Mexico, Central America, and South America, so you are most likely safe from this bat variety while living in North America. Most bats found in North America do not rely on blood as part of their daily diet. These bats eat insects and fruit in most cases.

In addition, bats will not attack you unless they are acting out in defense. If you see a bat in your home or attic, remain calm, avoid contact, and consult a pest control professional.

2. They’re Blind

Another common misconception people believe is that all bats are blind. Due to the common saying, “blind as a bat,” it is easy to see how this myth came to be.

While surprising to hear, bats are able to see, and many scientists believe they are capable of seeing as well as a human. Depending on the situation, some bats will choose to use their sight instead of sound while hunting.

The little brown bat, which is one of the most common bats found in North America, has amazing vision that helps them move and hunt in both the day and night. This is also a surprising fact since most bats are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night.

3. Seeing is Believing

The sight of a bat is an obvious sign you have a problem. However, just because you do not see an actual bat, does not mean your home is free of these visitors. You should look out for other signs that bats are coming and going from your attic or other area of your home.

Guano, or fecal matter left behind by bats, is one of the most common signs that you have bats visiting your home. Of course, you may not realize these droppings are from bats since they look similar to droppings from mice and rats.

Cleaning up the guano is necessary, but you should use precaution. Most bat droppings carry a fungus that can lead to Histoplasmosis. This airborne fungal disease can cause respiratory issues, such as coughing, sneezing, and breathing difficulty.

To reduce your exposure to the fungus, make sure to wear rubber gloves, eye goggles, and a respiratory mask before cleaning up the bat droppings. Spray the guano down with a 10 percent bleach solution before scooping it up and disposing in a trash bag in your outdoor trash bin.

For more information on bat removal or prevention, contact a reputable pest control company. At Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc., we can help you prevent bat infestations and humanely remove them from your home. Call us today at (909) 335-1486 or (951) 530-1653.

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In the wild, bats are very beneficial. The average bat will eat around 1,200 mosquitoes per hour, which can help you enjoy a bug-free night on the patio. Unfortunately, these beneficial flying mammals quickly turn into pests once they enter your home.

Bats will not only cause damage throughout your home, there are carriers of several potentially-fatal diseases, including rabies. Here are a few signs you need to watch out for that could indicate you have a bat infestation in your home.

You See Bats Inside and Entering Your Home

One of the most obvious signs of a bat infestation is seeing a bat flying around your home. However, just because you notice a bat in your home every few years, you shouldn’t assume a colony is calling your attic home. Instead, if you see a bat flying around inside you home, head outdoors at dusk or dawn and watch for bats flying inside and outside of your home.

Bats are nocturnal creatures and if they are living inside your attic, you will notice them either leaving as the sun goes down, or entering your home first thing in the morning.

Strange Noises

Another sign of a bat infestation is strange and noticeable noises during the night. For example, bats will make high pitched squealing and whining noises when they communicate. You might mistake the sound for mice or birds, but if you hear it consistently at night, it could be bats in the attic.

Additionally, bats will make noticeable scratching and scraping noises in the walls and attic at night.

Bat Droppings and Urine

The most notice and offensive sign of a bat infestation is the presence of guano, or droppings, and urine. If you find piles of black animal droppings in your attic, your first thought might be a mouse or rat infestation. However, if you notice the guano appears shiny in the light, it is actually bat feces.

The bright flecks in the guano is caused by the thousands of insects a typical bat eats every night. In addition to your attic, piles of bat guano are often found in places called feeding roosts. These include behind your outdoor shutters or on your back porch.

Bats will also create noticeable urine stains anywhere they roost, including areas inside or outside of your home. The urine stains will be white and have a strong odor of ammonia.

If you notice guano piles in your home, do not attempt to clean them yourself and instead, contact a professional. Bats are known carriers of a potentially-fatal disease called histoplasmosis, a fungal infection. When the guano is disturbed, the fungal spores are easily inhaled, and can lead to a host of serious, life threatening complications.

Black Stains Near Entry Points

Finally, watch for black stains on the siding or roofing material where the bat is entering and exiting your home. Bats can squeeze into small spaces, and you might be surprised at how little room they require to enter your home.

For example, if there is damage at the peak of your roof, a bat can easily squeeze between damaged asphalt shingles. Another common place that bats enter a home is through unsecured attic vents. Finding the black stains is actually helpful because it will allow you, and a professional exterminator, to pinpoint where the bats are entering and exiting your home.

The consistent temperatures, darkness, and protection of your home and attic is very attractive to bats. If you suspect there is a bat infestation inside your attic, or near your home, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc. 

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