One of the most maligned creatures in the animal kingdom is the bat. The name conjures up visions of the sharp-toothed flyer, swooping down and latching on to our necks and sucking our blood. Perhaps, it also includes the animal turning into a vampire, ala Dracula. Fortunately, the Vampire Bat is limited to Central and South America and Mexico. We can also be thankful that the megabat known as flying foxes, with their 6-foot wingspan, call other countries home.
Bats have a varied diet ranging from fruits, seeds, fish, frogs, and even the occasional member of their own species. Most, however, feast on insects. Beetles and moths are on the menu, but their favorite food is mosquitoes. A single one has been recorded eating up to 500 in an hour. They can also tell if their prey is poisonous or not, and they can distinguish frogs by their croak.
They have been around for nearly 50 million years and played a part in ancient mythology for many cultures. Mayan clay sculptures of Camazotz, the death bat, are some of the earliest depictions of the animal. It was believed that the human-sized creature turned into a statue by day and by night caused chaos with his demonic army. It is believed the Ancient Celtics are behind the association with Halloween. They lit bonfires on October 31st to ward off the embodiment of the ghosts of their ancestors.
In Illinois, we are home to 13 species, many of which are federally protected, and some are endangered on a state and federal level. Their habitats are also protected, so killing one or destroying their roost can result in substantial fines and up to 6 months in jail per offense. If they end up on your property or making a home in your attic, removal should be left to the experts at Wildlife Services.
The Covid epidemic has brought to the forefront a bat’s ability to spread disease. There is a simple reason behind this; they are immune to diseases like SARS, Nipah, and Ebola. This allows them to act as disease vectors without being affected themselves. Still, the spread of those diseases is due mainly by the mishandling of dead specimens.
One would think that a pathogen-carrying animal would be a dirty one, but not with bats. They are known to groom themselves, and some species clean each other. This helps them fly smoother and keep away parasites. With the reduced air resistance, some can fly up to 100 mph. They are not blind as the saying goes but use echolocation to track their prey. It gives them the advantage at night over other predators. Some, like fruit bats, don’t have to worry about their meal getting away and don’t use echolocation.
If bats and other nuisance wildlife have become an issue in your home, Wildlife Services is the undisputed specialist in Northern Illinois.
Contact us for more information on our removal and exclusions services to get them out and ensure they don’t return.
