Getting to Know the Bats of Missouri

Most people know a bat when they see one: It looks something like a mouse with wings. But besides what they look like, how much do you really know about bats, more specifically, the bats we're likely to encounter in Missouri? There are more than 1300 estimated species of bats in the world, making up one-fifth of Earth's total mammalian population, the second largest order after rodents. With that many species in the world, some people may just find it easier to classify them all as simply bats. But every species of bat is different and each offers their own kind of benefit to the world.

Missouri Bat Species
While Missouri has seen about 9 common species of bats within its state lines, only one family of bats predominates in Missouri: the evening bats. More than this have been spotted, but are not commonly seen in Missouri. This week, we at A B Pest Control & Insulation want to share with you a bit of information about all the different species common to Missouri.

Evening Bat
The evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), the most common Missouri bat, is present during the spring, summer and early fall. It migrates south in winter. It roosts in buildings in summer. If you've encountered a bat in your attic, these (along with brown bats) are likely the culprits.

Little Brown Bat
The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is a brown, mouse-sized bat that occurs throughout Missouri. It hibernates in small numbers in Ozark caves during winter. In summer, it sometimes takes up residence in attics and buildings, where it rarely causes damage.

Norther Long-eared Bat
The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) is a small bat much like the little brown bat, except that the ears extend beyond the nose when flattened against the head. These bats are rarely seen. They usually roost in crevices of caves.

Big Brown Bat
The big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is a large bat, perhaps twice the size of the little brown bat, but still weighs only half an ounce. This species lives throughout Missouri and roosts by itself or in small groups in caves. Big brown bats commonly roost in buildings, where they sometimes hibernate.

Tri-Colored Bat
The tri-colored bat, formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle bat, (Pipistrellus subflavus) is Missouri's smallest cave bat (only 3 inches long) and is a pale yellowish brown color. It is rarely found in buildings, but instead prefers caves and rock crevices.

Gray Bat
The gray bat (Myotis grisescens) is an endangered species. It is a medium-sized, grayish bat that is usually found in large, active clusters. Gray bats use caves as roost sites year-round. They roost in large numbers; roosting caves contain huge amounts of bat guano (manure). Typically, they use many caves during the summer and only a few during the winter.

Indiana Bat
The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) also is an endangered species. It is a small, pinkish brown bat. In Missouri, the Indiana bat spends the winter hibernating in caves in the Missouri Ozarks. Indiana bats form large, dense clusters during the winter but do not deposit piles of guano under these roosts. They disperse across the state during the summer.

Red Bat
The red bat (Lasiurus borealis) is smaller than the big brown bat. Its fur is rusty red, washed with white. It roosts among leaves of trees and is seen in abundance statewide, often foraging around large lights in towns. It is solitary. Many will migrate in winter. In southern Missouri, some red bats remain during the winter and may emerge from their roosts on warm winter days to catch insects.

Hoary Bat
The hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is larger than a big brown bat and about twice the weight (one ounce). It is the largest bat in Missouri. Its color is a rich, dark brown, overcast with grayish white. It roosts among the leaves of trees, but is less common than the red bat. It is solitary and migrates.

Now that you know a little more about some of the common bats we'll see around Missouri, you can be better equipped to identify one roosting in your attic! Remember, bats in Missouri are protected and it is illegal to kill them unless they're causing damage to your property. Rarely are bats a nuisance, and can often be more of a benefit to have around than a pest as they feed on pesky insects. If you do happen to come across bats in your attic or outdoor building, contact A B Pest Control & Insulation. We'll come out and safely remove these nocturnal harmless creatures and relocate them where they can thrive and continue to benefit our ecosystem!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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