Bats can be a terrifying sight when you find one flying around your home at 2:00AM. Male bats often live a solitary life hanging around under shutters and other secluded areas whereas female bats often reside in maternal colonies that can contain hundreds and up to thousands of bats. Bat colonies can reside in the same spot for up to 50 years. Stewart Pest Solutions has great respect for bats and their conservation, but we understand the urgency and necessity of removing invading bats and repairing homes that are plagued with them. There are many different types of bat species in Michigan, and many of them can find their way into your home without the proper upkeep.
Common Bat Entry Points
- Roof soffit connections
- Gable vents
- Ridge vents
- Gaps in fascia and soffit
- Gaps in siding
- Gaps in mortar
Signs of Bats Living in Your Home or Business
- A bat is found in your home.
- Bats are seen flying out of your rooflines at dark.
- Bat guano is found on your siding or on the ground near or in your home or business.
- Bats are seen flying in close proximity to your home every evening.
- You hear shuffling on your ceiling or wall.
- You hear bat vocalizations.
Please note that mice are often heard vocalizing, scratching, and running on ceilings too.
Please CONTACT STEWART PEST SOLUTIONS if you are experiencing any of these signs and would like us to perform a pest inspection.
Types of Michigan Bats
Big Brown Bat
The Big Brown Bat is a common bat found in homes, and are the type most likely to be found hibernating during the winter months. According to research, 45% of Big Brown Bats will roost in houses, 45% will roost in barns, and 10% will roost in churches and other commercial buildings. Temperature swings in the summer and winter lead to bats coming into contact with people as the bats try to regulate their temperature. Usually Big Brown Bats will hibernate alone in an attic or wall inside a building. Female Big Brown Bats typically begin giving birth around the end of May.
Little Brown Bat
The Little Brown Bat is common in Michigan although more prevalent in Northern Michigan. Female Little Brown Bats will roost in hotter temperatures while the males will roost in cooler areas. Female Little Brown Bats generally give birth the first week of July. Most of the maternal colonies will roost in a building. Young bats are weaned in August through September.
Northern Bat
Northern bats are typically found in Northern Michigan, but they can be found in the southern part of the state as well. Usually these bats are found in mature forests. The females will roost in maternal colonies and the males will roost solo.
Indiana Bat
The Indiana Bat is very similar to the Little Brown Bat and Northern Bat. The Indiana Bat only represents about 4% of the bats captured in Southern Michigan. Indiana Bats have been found in Lansing, Michigan and several other communities in Lower Michigan. The Indiana Bat typically roosts under loose bark. The Indiana Bat also migrates and hibernates in caves.
Silver Haired Bat
Silver Haired Bats have very dark fur that is tipped with white and are found in small numbers throughout Michigan. These bats will typically roost in trees but occasionally may be found hibernating in buildings in Southern Michigan.
Evening Bat
The Evening Bat is commonly found in the southern portion of the United States with southern Michigan in its most northern range. Their numbers are very low in Michigan and surrounding states.
Eastern Pipistelle
The Eastern Pipistelle are very small cave and mine dwelling bats. Eastern Pipistelle Bats are found in the western Upper Peninsula and occasionally down the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
Eastern Red Bat
The Eastern Red Bat is the second most common bat in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. These bats generally roost in trees and will fly south to their winter range. Eastern Red Bats start migrating south in August and September. Their diet consists mainly of moths.
Hoary Bat
The Hoary Bat has one of the largest geographic areas of all bats. Hoary Bats are found from Hudson Bay to Argentina. They migrate through Michigan but a few will stay in the state. Hoary Bats generally live in trees and typically give birth in mid-June in Southern Michigan and in July in Northern Michigan.
Unwanted Pests Associated With Bats
Bats are plagued with many different pests. While not common, bat bugs are similar to bed bugs and generally only affect bats. It is possible, however, for bat bugs to bite humans. Other pests that plague bats are different types of mites and fleas.
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a disease most often associated with, but not limited to, the lungs. This disease is caused by microscopic fungus that grows on piles of bat and bird guano (feces) exposed to warm, humid conditions. Humans can become infected by inhaling the spores. Most infections result in flu-like symptoms but can become severe enough to require hospitalization.
Rabies
Rabies is a virus that is usually transmitted from one animal to another through exposure to saliva, commonly due to animal bites. The virus spreads through the nerves and eventually reaches the brain. In bats, rabies typically results in the animal becoming paralyzed but that is not always the case. Five to six percent of bats tested in Michigan test positive for rabies. Sick and infected bats are more likely to come in contact with humans which is why it is always recommended to send them for testing if they have been found in your home. According to surveys, the number of rabies positive bats found in the wild is around less than one-half percent. If you are bitten by any animal, it is best to safely capture or kill the animal without damaging the head and contact your local Health Department or Animal Control Department.
(All information on bats that is referenced here is from BATS OF MICHIGAN by Allen Kurta.) content/uploads/2019/06/modern-custom-built-residential-home-newly-constructed-with-a-2-car-garage-in-a-residential-neighborhood Handyman Solutions Click To View Services
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