Bats exterminator in Laval and Greater Montreal

• • Taxonomy: Bats belong to the order Chiroptera, the largest order of mammals after rodents. Rodents, bats and humans are all placental mammals. All 8 species of bats found in Quebec belong to the family Vespertilionidae.
  • Lifespan: Most bats live between 15 and 20 years, but some can live up to 30 years.
  • Diet: Bats mostly eat flying insects and fruit. They are great mosquito hunters.
  • Habitat: Bats seek out dark places with stable temperatures, such as caves, cellars, attics and holes in trees. In October, when heat and insects grow scarce, many migrate south or begin hibernation.

• Species: There are 8 species of bats in Quebec: the big brown bat, the silver-haired bat, the little brown bat, the northern long-eared bat, the hoary bat, the red bat, the tricoloured bat and the eastern small-footed bat.
• Situation of concern: The number of bats in the province has been declining in recent years due to a disease called white-nose syndrome. The disease causes bats to use up energy during the harsh Quebec winter, which they usually survive through hibernation.

• Characteristics: Bats range from 7 to 15 cm long, depending on the species. Their ears tend to be large compared to the size of their head and eyes and their coat is usually gray or brown.
• Signs of their presence: Signs of bats include droppings of 1 to 2 cm, white, milky urine stains, squeaks and scratching sounds during the night and traces of grease and dirt in the attic. Specialists will check their shape, ear and fur colour in order to identify the species.

• Sociability: These nocturnal mammals can be sociable or solitary. Migratory bats travel alone, while those that stay and hibernate prefer to do so in colonies.
• Gestation: Bats generally mate in winter, when temperatures are cooler. However, ovulation and fertilization take place in spring, and they give birth in summer. A litter can contain up to 4 pups.
• Health risks: Bats can carry diseases and pathogens such as rabies and histoplasmosis.

When bats take up residence in your attic or garage, it is usually to hibernate, so they will spend most of their time there. Due to their unobtrusive presence and nocturnal habits, humans don’t always notice the damage they cause.

Corrosion

Bats are not intentionally destructive, but their droppings contain acid that erodes many materials such as copper and bronze, as well as stone and concrete binders.

Guano also contains phosphate, ammonium and potassium. These minerals cause moisture between the cracks and weaken structures over time, leading to structural problems. The uric acid contained in guano also has a negative effect on wood. Wood fibres that come into contact with the acid expand and eventually separate, causing the wood to break.

In some cases, this damage is only material. In others, such as electrical cables, this damage can cause short circuits or worse, fires.

Stubborn stains

Bat urine also contains acid that can stain walls and create marks on polished surfaces like glass and marble.

When bat urine and excrement is left on surfaces for more than a few weeks, even waste removal by a professional pest control service will not be enough to reverse the damage. In such cases, the entire affected surface will need to be repainted or replaced. All the more reason to remain vigilant and call our team at the slightest suspicion of a bat infestation.

Unpleasant odours

The accumulation of any pest droppings can result in very unpleasant odours. If guano piles up in the attic, it may damage the insulation, and if not taken care of, the smell can spread throughout the house and become unbearable.

Part of our bat removal service is assessing the damage they have caused. With our pest decontamination, insulation and caulking services, you can rest easy knowing your home is clean and safe from further infestations.

In addition to property damage, there are health hazards associated with bats that make it important to act quickly in the event of an infestation. Bats can carry diseases and up to 200 viruses, some of which can be lethal.

Rabies

Bats are major carriers of rabies, according to various studies conducted in recent years in North America. These studies have shown that bats can transmit the strain to other animals, which could put humans at risk even if they do not come into contact with a bat.

Rabies is typically spread through saliva and affects the brain. It is almost always fatal to both animals and people if left untreated.

In bats, the symptoms of rabies are not visible to the naked eye and the infection can only be confirmed by laboratory tests. Therefore, it is best to exercise caution and never touch a bat. Contact Elite Pest Control for safe removal that will not harm the animal.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by inhaling fungal spores often found in bat droppings.

Most people with histoplasmosis never develop symptoms and do not know they are infected. But for some, particularly infants and people with weakened immune systems, the infection can be serious. It causes fever, cough, headaches and muscle pain.

Fortunately, treatments are available for even the most severe cases of histoplasmosis.

Filoviruses

According to a 2014 study published in Viruses, tropical bats are reservoir hosts for various filoviruses, including Ebola and Marburg. These types of viruses cause fever and hemorrhaging that are difficult to treat, often resulting in death for those affected.

As mentioned previously, bats are carriers of illnesses like rabies and histoplasmosis, which are dangerous for human health. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure—cleaning up after the bats have been removed is strongly recommended. Pest decontamination is an integral part of our extermination services.

Want more information? We have written a whole article on the importance of decontaminating a room where bat droppings have been found.