Bats In The Attic
Bats are very beneficial to the environment and for their mosquito controlling capabilities, but will be attracted to man-made architecture and attics for a suitable roosting location. Bats can cause extreme amounts of damage in a attic area in a quick amount of time in Knoxville Tennessee. Signs of bats in the attic can be determined from staining on drywall or outside, damage on the outside of home from droppings, and from the sounds of something scampering in the walls or soffit. Bats are common inhabitants of most residential neighborhoods. They are nocturnal, and roost during the day, which makes observing activity of bats difficult for a homeowner or business to see. Bats will be attracted in or around your home by shelter. Bats will utilize man-made architecture to roost. Bats possess the ability to fit into 3/8″ openings. It is not hard for a bat to fit into small crevices to gain access into a attic. Here are some of the nuisance problems from bats in the attic.- Bats going in through gable vent.
- Bats going in window dormer or eve gap.
- Bats getting in behind siding.
- Bats going in a hole in soffit.
- Bats flying out of the roofline.
- Bats entering a attic vent.
- Bats getting in fascia.
- Bats roosting on outside of home.
- Bats behind the shutters.
As you can see, there are several places to check for bat activity and damage can become very severe. Proper professional help is suggested in dealing with bats in the attic.
Bat Damage In a Attic
If you suspect bats have been in your attic, chances are you will have some degree of damage. Bats, happen to have one of the quickest fecal accumulation abilities of of any mammal. Bat droppings, better known as guano, can quickly contaminate a attic and even damage the outside of your home. Factors that will contribute to damage will greatly depend on how large the bat colony is, and how long the colony has been present. Bat damage will not come from bats chewing, but from contamination and staining from their droppings (guano). Unlike mice, bats do not chew openings, but rather fit in small cracks and construction gaps. Once in a attic, droppings will start to accumulate day after day. Droppings, in heavy accumulations, can become odorous and be smelled in the interior. In periods of extreme heat, urine and feces can sweat, staining any material it touches as it runs down. It is important to understand, that bat droppings in a attic, do not break down over time, as if they would outside, exposed to the elements. Droppings in a attic, will harbor pathogens, bacteria, virus, and even parasites, especially in large accumulation. Professional help is recommended, as Animal Pros offers evaluations for humane bat removal and bat remediation services.
Bat Damage To Duct Lines
Bats once in a attic, will start to roost in certain areas. Droppings can start to accumulate, and become heavy in large deposit areas. If the weight of droppings or guano starts to accumulate on a duct line, it can restrict air flow as the line will start to buckle under the weight. If a animal other than a bat has breeched a line, bat guano could contaminate the line, and affect the entire duct system. EPA regulations suggest if any animal or droppings has entered soft insulated duct work, that there is no amount of duct cleaning that can work. The only thing that will be effective is removing and replacing the duct line. Contaminates from feces and urine, do not break down in a hvac line. Disturbance of the droppings from the animal can spread airborne particulates throughout the entire duct system, resulting in major damage. Quick action should be taken if you suspect bats or droppings are in your duct lines. Call our Animal Pros specialists today.
Bat Dropping Damage To Insulation
One of the most common problems with bats in the attic, is damage to the insulation. Bats are very small mammals often weighing only a few ounces, and will damage insulation in several ways. Flattening of the insulation from a heavy raccoon is expected as they move from one end of the attic to the other. Raccoon Latrines or areas that they utilize for their bathroom can quickly damage insulation. Dropping accumulate daily, and there is only so much urine and feces insulation can absorb. Contaminated insulation will need to be properly removed completely. Call our Animal Pros restoration team to help with all your insulation needs.
Bat Damage To Electrical Wires
Electrical Wire damage caused by bats can usually occur when electric wires are in close proximity to where bats are located in your attic. As bats move in tight places along the soffit areas in a attic, electrical wires can often get shorted out from large guano and urine accumulations and even chewed on in rare cases. The most obvious sign if you have electric wire damage, is if you have lights, fixtures, plugs, or appliances, that have stopped working. Prompt action is required if you feel bats have damaged your electric lines.
Bat Damage To Drywall
When bat problems have occurred for several days or longer, it is possible to have drywall damage. Damage to drywall or even drop tiles can be from the weight of the bat guano or droppings breaking through either. Damage can also occur from the insulation being so penetrated from feces and urine, that now the drywall is absorbing the excess. Spots on your drywall may be dismissed initially as water spots, and have a appearance of dark staining, and in some cases, heavy fecal accumulated areas can contain so much weight it causes drywall to fall through. Call our restoration experts at Animal Pros for immediate drywall problems caused by bat droppings.
Bat Guano In The Attic
Bat guano in a attic can create a serious health hazard. As the animal continually moves over droppings, airborne particulates can be circulated. If there is duct damage, and feces present, this could be a disaster. Proper precautions should be taken for re mediating bat guano in a attic. Bat guano accumulations should be avoided. Areas in your attic with heavy fecal accumulations need to be kept undisturbed and professional help should be contacted. Fecal accumulations in attic, can often harbor pathogens, parasites, and bacteria. Droppings do not organically break down as they might naturally outside exposed to the elements. In a attic area with limited ventilation, bacteria and zoonotic disease can be present in bat guano. Exposure from particulates of contaminated material in your attic can occur, and you should contact Animal Pros specialists for immediate help.