Where bats live

Bats. Most of us have look at them as nasty creatures that flap their wings in the middle of the night. What do you know about these nocturnal winged animals?

Bats are actually mammals, and they are the only flying mammals. They have a developed sense of hearing that helps them navigate through the dark effortlessly; an ability called echolocation. Not all bats can echolocate, but a majority of them thrive in the wild with it.

Bats live in colonies that can range in size from dozens to thousands. Because of this, they require a vast area where they can roost. The most common areas for bats are caves and hollow trees. Any crevice that leads to a safe secluded place would also do good as their habitat.

Bats migrate some time in a year to find a roost that would provide them their needs every season. During mating season or late summer, female bats will find their maternity roosts where they can give birth and nurture their young.  In winter, bats look for hibernation roosts as a lack of available food sources forces them to hibernate in order to survive. Some bats migrate to warmer countries before winter so they can still hunt for food.

Caves and closed areas will be their ideal hibernation roosts since open areas could expose them to cold and wake them  in the middle of hibernation. They will have a slowed down body rate over a span of six months, and they will stay in one hibernacula. During hibernation, bats huddle together  to share warmth.

Though bats prefer a safe place in the wild to hide from their predators and protect their young, human houses could prove to be effective alternatives.  Bats can live in your chimneys or your attics as well as the crevices in your ceilings or walls.  While they may help in insect control, it is still best for you and for their sake to put them back to the wild where they belong and avoid future visits.

It is best to ask help from Waterloo wildlife control to move the bats away, since they live in colonies. Without proper know-how you could expose yourself to dangerous situations and some serious property damage. Trust in Waterloo wildlife control professionals like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

Skedaddle is backed by twenty-six years of service in this field and has the technical expertise in driving these bats away from your home and keeping them out. This way, you get to keep your house safe for your family, and also let the bats continue on their lives in the wild where they were meant to be.

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The Burglar Look-alike: Raccoons Breaking into Your House

Masked bandit is the most common moniker for raccoons and fittingly so. Raccoons have wisely adapted to modernization and have moved in with humans even in urban areas. While the main purpose of communing with humans is for access to food, these sneaky creatures have become much more than just a nuisance animal, they have become a common carrier for zoonotic diseases that may be fatal to humans and they can also cause significant damage to properties.

It is important for you to determine what attracts these intelligent burglars to your home because in all cases, prevention is always better than curing a problem. There are two reasons why raccoons would normally break into your house: food and shelter.

As what we have said earlier, food is the primary attractant for these creatures. We have stepped into their natural territory and have built our homes and communities in what used to be their habitat, the natural balance has been affected. Previously these creatures have had easy access to an abundant supply of food from nature (fish, fruits, etc.) however this scenario has drastically changed.  Now raccoons have to creatively look for ways to get food for their survival.

Another reason is shelter. Raccoons, especially those who are about to give birth to their young would look for a safe haven away from the harsh elements of nature such as snow, extreme cold or rain. For this reason, any unattended part of your house can be their den site. In most cases, raccoons would usually den in attics or sheds because they provide a perfect environment for raising their young.

One raccoon inside your home is bad news and it’s even worse when there is a litter cohabiting with you. Not only do they carry diseases but they also bring a frustrating discomfort because of their chattering noise at night. More than that, they are also a hazard to your property; as this masked bandit is known to tear as electrical wires and cables, rip up shingles and even damage insulation materials! Think about all the damage this dexterous creature can wreak inside your beautiful home.

At the first sign of a raccoon infestation, it is best to call Waterloo wildlife control services like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Improper handling of raccoons may result in more drastic damage since these creatures are cunning and have the tendency for aggression to protect their young so it is best to leave it in the hands of able professionals.

Skedaddle’s Waterloo wildlife control technicians have removed raccoons from many houses and have proven techniques to draw out these creatures from your home, including their babies. Save yourself from these masked burglars and protect your home from future invasion. Call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today!

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It’s not Just Rabies: Diseases Spread by Raccoons

Raccoons, under the genus Procyon, are mammals characterized by the distinctive dark circles around their eyes and bushy ringed tails. They are given the moniker the “masked bandit” because of these characteristics, which is very apt because they usually come in conflict with humans when they rummage garbage cans and steal food.

Aside from stealing food, there are many other reasons why you should steer away from these masked creatures. People would usually associate wildlife animals like raccoons with rabies, but this is not the only disease that can be spread by these creatures.

Raccoons are known to carry not only viruses, but bacteria and parasites as well, which can be harmful to humans. The diseases that one can acquire from these creatures are called zoonotic diseases. Let us go through some of them in detail so you are armed with information especially if you come in contact with this wildlife:

• Leptospirosis. This disease is caused by the bacterium, Leptospira, and can be found in urine of many wildlife animals, including raccoons. There are many symptoms for this disease and some of them would be fever, chills, skin rash and abdominal pain among many others. These symptoms would usually appear in 7-12 days after an incubation period. In some cases, especially with those who have weak immune system, this disease can develop into a more serious one and can affect the heart and the brain.
• Baylisascaris procyonis. This disease is specific to raccoons and is sometimes called raccoon roundworm. Raccoon roundworm may infect the people inside your household and even your pets. Infection rate is very high at 70% in adult raccoons. Infection can happen when the infested egg (found in a raccoon’s fecal matter) is accidentally ingested. While reported infection has been low, this disease is extremely fatal, primarily affecting children who have accidentally ingested contaminated soil or feces.
• Lyme disease. This disease is common especially when you have an encounter with animals that have ticks, like raccoons. Symptoms may vary and includes fever, headache and a general feeling of weakness. When left untreated, it can also cause severe headaches and heart palpitations.
• Tularemia. You can be afflicted by this bacterial disease especially when you handle the dead remains of infected raccoons, especially when you have open wounds. Spread of the bacteria can cause conjunctivitis as well as swollen hands where the bacterium has come in contact with.

These diseases are just some examples of the many health hazards that raccoons can inflict on you and your family. When your home is infested with raccoons, act on it immediately because you may be endangering your household. Some of these diseases may be fatal especially if you have young children, so getting rid of these cunning masked bandits from your home should be on the top of your priority list.

Most people resort to DIY methods that just do not work especially when you do not possess the proper knowledge on how to handle these creatures. When you are confronted with this wildlife infestation, do not hesitate to call Waterloo wildlife control services like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Not only are these Waterloo wildlife control professionals equipped with the proper safety equipment to handle these critters, they also employ proven methods of wildlife removal. With over two decades of effective and efficient Waterloo wildlife control, Skedaddle can drive these creatures out of your home and bring them back to the wild where they belong.

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