Many Houston homeowners are unaware that they may have bats in their attics or other parts of their homes. Bats can enter your home through small openings and cause a variety of problems, including structural damage, disease transmission, and noise. It is important to be aware of the signs that you might have bats living in your attic fan so you can take steps to remove them as soon as possible.
Strange Noises Coming From The Attic
One of the most common signs that you have bats in your attic fan is strange noises coming from the area. Bats emit high-pitched squeaking and chirping sounds that can often be heard by humans. They also tend to become more active at night, so if you hear these noises during the night hours, it could be a sign that you have bats living in your home. Additionally, it is important to remember that bats are nocturnal creatures, so if you are hearing these strange noises during the day, it could be an indication that there is a large colony of bats living in your attic fans.
Another common noise associated with bats is scratching or thumping sounds as they move around the attic fan. You may also notice other strange noises such as fluttering wings and rustling nests. Bats typically build their nests near warm areas such as attics and walls where they can stay protected from the elements. These nest materials can cause loud thumping or scratching sounds when they are disturbed or moved around. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to contact a professional wildlife removal specialist as soon as possible to assess the situation and help remove any bats from your home safely and humanely.
Droppings On The Floor Or Window Sills
Another common sign that you may have bats in the attic fan of your Houston home is droppings on the floor or window sills. These droppings, also called guano, are dark brown or black and vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Bat droppings will often accumulate in areas near their roosts, such as attics and gables, and may be seen on windowsills and floors near entry points. The presence of guano indicates that you have at least one bat in your attic since they are the only animal known to produce this type of waste.
Not only can bat droppings release dangerous pathogens into your home environment, but they can also damage surfaces when they accumulate over time. Guano contains high levels of nitrogen which can cause discoloration on walls and ceilings and other surfaces even after it has been removed. In addition, if guano accumulates too much in one area it can become a fire hazard due to its high ammonia content.
A Musky Odor
Bats leave behind an ammonia-like smell, which is caused by their urine and droppings. This smell can often linger for days or weeks after the bats have left and can become more intense when temperatures are high. The smell might be noticeable in other parts of your home as well, such as the living room or bedroom, if there are openings leading to the attic fan. Additionally, the musky odor may become stronger when air circulates through your home's HVAC system.
To find out if a musky odor is coming from bats in your attic fan, it's important to inspect it carefully and look for any potential openings where they could enter or exit. You should also pay close attention to any bat droppings on the walls or floor near the fan. If you have difficulty finding these signs yourself, consider hiring a professional pest control expert who can locate them and determine whether they are indeed causing the smell. Once you confirm that you do have bats in your attic fan, contact a wildlife rehabilitator to safely remove them and prevent further damage to your home.
Unusually High Energy Bills
Bats create warm air pockets when they huddle together during winter months or on cool days, which causes your HVAC system to work harder than normal to maintain comfortable temperatures inside your home. As a result, you may notice higher than usual energy bills during these times of the year if you have a large bat population living in your attic fan space. In some cases, the cost of these energy bills can be quite a large burden on your household budget. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the amount of energy being used and help lower your monthly bills. Properly sealing any cracks or gaps in your attic is one way to ensure that bats cannot access the space and thus reduce the workload on your HVAC system.
Additionally, installing bat exclusion devices like mesh cages can also help keep these furry friends out of your home without harming them in any way. Lastly, regularly cleaning out dust and debris from your vents or fans can help make sure they are running optimally so that they aren’t using more energy than necessary to heat or cool your home. Taking all of these steps and getting a professional bat removal service can help you save money and keep your home comfortable. AAAC Wildlife Removal can help you with bat exclusion and removal services.
Evidence Of Gnawing Near Entry Points
Bats often gnaw on wood near entry points like windowsills or vents in order to gain access into attics where they will build nests for roosting during daylight hours. If you notice chew marks around any of these areas it’s likely that bats are using them as access points into your home. It is important to be aware of this damage and take steps to prevent further access by sealing off these points with caulk or steel wool. You should also inspect the interior portions of your attic for any gnawing marks that could indicate an existing bat problem.
You may also want to check the exterior walls of your home for signs of gnawing, which are usually visible as scratches on wood siding or other materials. If you do find evidence of gnawing, it is important to take action quickly before more bats can enter your home and cause additional damage. Sealing up entry points will help keep out future invaders, while exclusion methods like one-way doors can often be used to safely remove existing populations from attics.
Contact A Professional Bat Removal Service In Houston
Bat infestations can cause serious issues for homeowners in Houston, TX. Not only is their presence unpleasant and disruptive, but they can carry diseases and harm the structural integrity of buildings. AAAC Wildlife Removal in Houston, TX provides professional bat removal services to ensure the safety of your family and property. Their experienced wildlife control technicians are trained in humane trapping and removing bats from residential and commercial properties. They also make sure that any potential entry points on the structure have been sealed off properly to prevent future infestations.
Their team works quickly and efficiently to identify the source of the bat problem, remove them safely, clean up any mess left behind, recommend repairs to keep them out permanently, and provide solutions for preventing a recurrence of the issue. They understand how important it is for you to be able to enjoy your home or business without worrying about an infestation of bats. That is why they strive to provide fast, reliable solutions tailored specifically to your unique situation. Contact them now for a free inspection and bat removal quote.