how dangerous are bats, anyway?
It is estimated that less than two percent of bats are infected with rabies. If you see a bat during the daytime, though, consider that bat to be more likely to be infected, since an estimated 15 percent of bats found outside in the daytime are likely to be ill. Most people are familiar with bed bugs or dust mites, so when we find ourselves bitten by annoying little insects, we assume we should treat the area to get rid of those insects. Many times a landlord has hired a professional insect control company, only to have his tenants complain of re-infestation within a short time after the treatment was applied. These landlords have found out the hard way that, if so-called bed bugs return, it is quite likely that those bed bugs are actually bat mites. The only effective way to get rid of the mites is to get bats out (house, building, school, warehouse, attic) first, making sure they cannot return. Only then will any mite control be effective. There is no need to continue to coexist with
Although bats make up nearly a quarter of the world’s mammals, fewer than a dozen human deaths have occurred from bat-strain rabies virus in the United States in the last 50 years. However, since the disease is so deadly, the shots so painful, and pets can also be infected, rabies and bats are often feared. As the number one carrier of rabies in the United States, all bats probably have rabies, right? Actually, no. It is estimated that less than two percent of bats are infected with rabies. If you see a bat during the daytime, though, consider that bat to be more likely to be infected, since an estimated 15 percent of bats found outside in the daytime are likely to be ill. Why? Because as nocturnal animals, bats are rarely seen outside in the daytime. If a bat is away from his nest, there is a greater likelihood that it is ill and should be avoided. Ill bats are likely to act abnormally. They may be unable to fly or may be lying on the ground, as if injured. Bats should be left alone;
