Texas is known for its copious bat populations. In fact, we are home to the largest known bat colony on the planet; The Bracken Cave Preserve, near San Antonio, TX. 32 of the 47 known bat species in the U.S. call Texas home, this is more than any other state! Tourists flock from all around during the Summer, just to catch a glimpse of the natural phenomenon that we offer. Austin is also home to the World’s largest urban bat colony, which lives under Congress Avenue Bridge. In 1995, the Mexican free-tailed bat was named the State’s official flying mammal. Then in 2010, the great city of Austin made the bat its official emblem! Many people have a misconception about bats. They believe they are blood-sucking, rabies infested, blind flying rats. In reality, bats have good vision and are actually very beneficial to us and the environment but their guano can make us sick as well. Their main diet consists of the insects that plague us, such as mosquitoes. They keep the insect population down in the Spring and Summer months. They also feast on agricultural destroying insects, which in turn saves the agricultural industry billions of dollars in pest control expenses each year, according to a study performed by Science Magazine. Only three of the 1,200 known bat species worldwide actually feast upon the blood of other animals, putting to rest most of the common misconceptions people have about bats.
Best Time of Year for Mexican Free-Tailed, Big Brown & Other Bat Exclusion
The most common bat species found throughout the state is the Mexican Free-Tailed bat. Throughout most of the State, these bats migrate South to Mexico for the Winter. Most other bat species enter a state of hibernation for the Winter taking up residence in abandoned mines and caves. However, occasionally they may attempt to hibernate in attics or abandoned buildings. The Big Brown Bat is hearty enough to survive Winters in an attic, though rare. In February, the Mexican Free-Tailed bat begins its migration back to Texas, so in the early Spring, they may form their maternity colonies and begin breeding again. While we may love bats here, one thing we don’t want is for them to take up residence in our home during this time. When a bat colony begins breeding, it can prove rather difficult to remove them completely from the premises due to their young being inside. This is why now is the best time for you to have your bat exclusion services performed. By ensuring your home is bat proofed, you won’t have to worry about your attic becoming their maternity ward. A-Tex Pest Management offers bat exclusion.
Bat Exclusion Process from Inspection to Home Sealing
The first step is to perform an inspection of the business or home. We will do this by thoroughly inspecting the building from top to bottom including, windows, doors and attics to check for cracks, holes, open vents, holes around water faucets, entry points through chimneys, etc. Once we have identified the main entry/exit points we will begin caulking the cracks or holes and weather-stripping gaps between doors or windows. Then we will move onto screening or netting the bigger gaps, such as those in vents or larger openings like a chimney or soffit. Unlike rodents, bats will not chew through wood or other surface material to gain access to a structure. By ensuring there are no entry or exit points to the home, you can be sure your home won’t become a bat colony’s home this year.
Bat Wildlife Inspections, Removal & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
There is no better time than now to ensure your home is ready for our next bat season! If you have further questions or would like assistance bat-proofing your home or business, give us a call. A-Tex Pest Management will be there!