It Isn't Easy Being a Bat

It's still summer season, which means that bats are still out and about. While you may see them flying around in the night, how much do you really know about these creatures? Bats tend to get a bad rap, but A B Pest Control has put together some interesting facts about these creatures. Hopefully, after reading this list provided by your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company, you will be more acquainted with these flying mammals before they head into winter hibernation.

• There are 1,100 species of bats worldwide. There are about 40 species of bats in the United States. 
• Bats can live more than 30 years.
• They can fly at speeds up to 60 mph.
• Bats can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour. They often consume their body weight in insects every night, this helps to keep the bug population controlled.
• There are only three species of “vampire bats” – a type of bat that lives off the blood of animals. No need to worry, none of these “vampire bats” live in the United States. Vampire bats do not actually “suck” blood. They usually “lap” up about two teaspoons of blood each night with their tongues.
• More than half of the bat species in the United States are in severe decline or are listed as endangered. Besides loss of habitat, one of the main threats comes from white nose syndrome. White nose syndrome occurs when a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), invades the nose, mouth and wings of bats during hibernation. This fungus may lead to dehydration which causes the bats to wake more frequently and to burn their fat reserves. This often leads to starvation.
  
• Most bats have only one pup a year. This makes them extremely vulnerable to extinction.
• Mothers can find their babies among thousands, even millions, of other bats by their unique voices and scents.
• Bat droppings, which are called guano, are one of the richest fertilizers. Bat guano was once a booming business. Guano was Texas’s largest mineral export before oil.
• The world’s largest bat is the “flying fox” that lives on the islands in the South Pacific. It has a wingspan of up to 6 feet.
• The world’s smallest bat is the bumble bee bat of Thailand. It is smaller than a thumbnail and usually weighs less than a penny.

Their habitat –

Bats can live almost everywhere, except in the deserts and polar regions. Bats tend to live in larger groups in caves, trees and under bridges. In Missouri, the gray bats uses caves year round. However, most bat species hibernate in caves in the winter and roost in trees during the summer.

Species of bats in Missouri:

1. Big Brown Bat
2. Evening Bat
3. Tri-colored Bat
4. Northern Bat
5. Indiana Bat
6. Little Brown Bat
7. Gray Bat
8. Southeastern Bat
9. Eastern Small-footed Bat
10. Eastern Red Bat
11. Hoary Bat
12. Seminole Bat
13. Silver-haired Bat
14. Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat
15. Ozark Big-eared Bat
16. Brazilian Free-tailed Bat

It’s easy to be hesitant towards these mysterious creatures. Hopefully, after reading these facts and getting to know a little more about bats, you will be happy to see them flying by. While bats help keep insects at bay, you don't want them in your house. Having bats roost in your house or attic can be dangerous for you and your family. At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we try to capture and release the bats that we find in people's attics. It's important for us to keep these creatures in nature and out of people's houses. If you need help getting rid of any bats or unwanted creatures, call your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100. 

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