Category: Florida Bats News

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Spooky Season? Florida Bats Shouldn’t be a Fear Factor.

Myths About Florida Bats Contribute to Misconceptions.

Myth: Bats are blind.
Fact: Bats are not blind. They have the same five senses as humans, including sight, and many species can see quite well, especially in low light. They also use echolocation (sonar) to navigate and hunt in complete darkness.


Myth: All bats are blood-suckers.
Fact: All native Florida bats are insectivorous, meaning they primarily eat insects like mosquitoes, beetles, and moths. There are only three species of “vampire bats” in the world, and they live exclusively in Central and South America, not in the United States or Florida.


Myth: Vampire bats live in Florida.
Fact: There are no vampire bats in Florida.


Myth: Bats will fly into your hair or try to build nests in it.
Fact: Bats are agile, skillful fliers and do not want to get tangled in hair. If a bat swoops near your head, it’s likely trying to catch an insect that is attracted to your body heat or breath. Also, bats do not build nests; they roost in existing structures like caves, trees, or buildings.


Myth: Bats are flying rats.
Fact: Bats are not rodents. They belong to their own unique order of mammals called Chiroptera (meaning “hand-wing”). They are actually more closely related to primates than to rats.


Myth: All bats carry rabies.
Fact: The vast majority of bats do not have rabies. Studies show that only about less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of bats in a typical population carry the disease. However, bats that are found on the ground or acting strangely are much more likely to be rabid and should never be handled.


Myth: Bats are pests and are not important to the ecosystem.
Fact: Bats are extremely beneficial. Florida’s insectivorous bats are vital for natural pest control, eating enormous quantities of agricultural and nuisance insects, including mosquitoes. They save farmers billions of dollars annually in pest control services.


Myth: Bats will attack people.
Fact: Bats are generally timid and will avoid humans. They will not attack unless they feel threatened or are provoked, such as if you try to handle one. The risk they pose is primarily related to potential rabies transmission if a sick bat is handled.


Myth: Bats are dirty.
Fact: Bats are clean animals that spend a lot of time grooming and cleaning themselves.

Florida Bats

Florida’s native bats are vital for our ecosystem. They are incredible natural pest controllers and pollinators. While we should appreciate their role, having them take up residence in your multi-family property is a definite concern for health and safety.

The Health Concerns

Bats leave behind unsanitary deposits like urea, guano (feces), and dander. When these materials accumulate, they can create a hazardous environment, potentially leading to:
Allergy flare-ups in residents.
Worsened symptoms for those with breathing difficulties or respiratory conditions.

More Than Just Bats

A bat entry point isn’t just a bat problem. It’s a sign that your building’s structural integrity is compromised. Gaps and unsealed areas that allow bats in can also serve as access points for other common pests, making effective exclusion and sealing crucial for overall pest management. Despite their environmental benefits, the sight of bats indoors can cause fear and anxiety among residents.

Florida Multifamily Harmless Bat Removal Services

#florida; #floridawildlife; #bats; #eviction; #exclusion; #propertymanagement; #welltechpest

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Florida Bats and Discreet Entries into Multifamily Structures

Florida’s multifamily communities questioning whether or not they have Florida bats on their property need to be observant. These properties may have a secret hidden world with discreet entries that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. It’s a world inhabited by a remarkable, yet misunderstood, creature: the Florida bat. While these winged mammals play a vital role in our ecosystem, their knack for finding unconventional entry points into residential buildings is creating a growing challenge for property managers and a startling surprise for residents.

The first sign of this new multifamily resident is often a curious sight. Residents, enjoying an evening in paradise on their patios, may observe what they initially mistake for birds flying erratically around the rooftops and eaves of buildings. The flight patterns are different and more agile. Upon closer inspection, the realization dawns: these are not birds, but bats.

Florida bats discover tiny gaps and vulnerabilities in a building’s structure, often finding their way into attics, wall voids, and other secluded spaces. All potential invitations for a bat may include a loose soffit, a small crack in the fascia, or a tiny gap where two building materials meet. These entry points, often no larger than a quarter, are often difficult to detect an infestation until a colony has already established itself.

Bats entryway is above the door (shown above) and is undetectable from the exterior.

What begins as a single bat seeking refuge can quickly escalate into a full-fledged colony. Female bats, looking for a warm, secure place to raise their young, find the attics of multifamily structures to be ideal nurseries. As the colony grows, the telltale signs become more apparent. Residents may hear scratching or squeaking noises from inside the walls or ceilings, particularly at dawn and dusk when the bats are most active. The most definitive proof, however, is the presence of guano on ledges, windowsills, or sidewalks below the entry points.

Florida bats are an essential part of the state’s natural pest control, devouring thousands of mosquitoes and other insects each night. Their presence in residential buildings, however is not without risks. While bat guano, typically can harbor a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum, it is not prevalent in Florida. Florida properties should be more concerned with individuals with allergies. The dander and other debris from bat colonies can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, exacerbating conditions like asthma.

The discovery of a bat colony requires swift, professional intervention. Since August 15th, WellTech Pest Solutions, LLC has been at the forefront of this effort, providing expert bat removal and exclusion services.

Our approach is two-fold: first, we safely and humanely remove the bats from the property. This process involves a meticulous inspection to identify all entry and exit points, followed by the installation of one-way exclusion devices. These devices allow the bats to leave the structure at night to feed but prevent them from re-entering.

Once the bats have been successfully excluded, the second phase begins: sealing all potential entry points to prevent future infestations. This step is crucial and requires a keen eye for detail, as even the smallest crack can become a new access point. We also ensure the property is left clean and free of health risks.

Dealing with an unexpected bat colony in a multifamily community is a complex challenge, but with the right expertise and a proactive approach, it can be managed effectively by our wildlife, exclusion, and special services team (W-E-S-S) at WellTech Pest Solutions—exclusively multifamily pest and wildlife management services, and exclusively Florida!