The Most Threatened Bat Species in Indiana

The Indiana Bat is a special species that is protected under federal and state law. The Indiana Bat first became protected by the Endangered Species Act in 1967. Their decline in population was the first sign that these creatures needed help surviving. Their population decline was a result of human interference in caves, toxic pesticides, and destroyed habitats.  It was a sorrowful downhill journey that pushed these mammals into protection. 

Continue reading to learn more facts surrounding this incredible species of bat, including what you can do to safely support and control local bat populations in your community.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control
Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-875-3099

The Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)

There are many things you might be surprised to know about the Indiana bat.  For example, it weighs about as much as three pennies.  It is very tiny, about the size of a man’s’ thumb.  They are usually covered in a short brown fur.  They live a long time, up to 15 years, females only giving birth once a year.  From May to June each year is when the bat breeding season kicks in.  This is the time in which bats close to residential areas will search for shelters in attics, crawl spaces, and roof tops.  Female colonies form, breeding one pup each.  They will feed and raise their young until they are strong enough to survive on their own.   

Good for the Environment and the Economy

Bats, for the most part, are wrongly stereotyped and misunderstood. People are afraid bats carry diseases and will fly in your hair and attack you; all of which is untrue. Bats avoid humans as much as possible.  They keep to themselves and focus on feeding and breeding their young. Bats contribute in a lot of positive ways that many are unaware of; they deserve more credit than they get. For example, bats consume an enormous amount of insects on a daily basis.

They often eat more than their own body weight, up to 1000 mosquitos, moths, and flies per hour. This keeps bugs of our porches and backyards at night, especially for those who live close to water. Bats are a crucial component to our ecosystem and environment. More and more colonies of Indiana Bats are being discovered and managed year round.  Hopefully, one day, we can see them removed from the Endangered Species List. 

How to Safely Control Nuisance Bats in Indiana

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for safe and humane, non-lethal bat removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, cleanup and minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and much more! Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.

Educational and Fun Facts about Bats

Bats are among the most misunderstood creatures across the world.  It may be because they hang upside down, or have long pointy teeth; or perhaps it’s the correlation with Dracula and vampires that have given bats their unfair stereotype.  Rumors of rabies and disease alter people’s perception of this actually incredible and interesting mammal.  If this has been your past perception, than maybe this article can change your mind! 

Continue reading to learn some of the most interesting and fun facts about bats, including what you can do if they ever become a nuisance around your home or building.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-875-3099
Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control 317-875-3099

🦇 Bats Are the Only Mammal Capable of True Flight.

Many people do not realize that bats are in fact, mammals. On top of that, they are the ONLY mammals on Earth that can actually fly (like a bird, not a squirrel).  They have wings similar to the anatomy of a human hand, with elongated fingers connected by a stretchy membrane.  They are amazing during flight.  They are fast and swift, using propulsion to push forward using their airfoil thin wings.

🦇 A Bat Can Consume Over 1000 Small Insects in One Hour.

Bats have insatiable appetites and can eat up to 200 tons of insects each night.  That is an average of 1,000 flying insects per hour. Not only is that a lot of feeding, it is excellent pest control for farmers and outdoor lovers, alike!

🦇 Echolocation is a Bio-Sonar System Bats use to Navigate Surroundings and Hunt for Prey

Bats are not blind, but they do not have great vision, especially in the dark.  But in the dark is when they are awake and busy, so they have to use other methods of communication and navigation to get around.  This is called echolocation.  Bats emit beeps and then listen for the beep to bounce back off of a solid structure.  Then they know where they are. 

🦇 Bat Species Make Up Nearly 25% of All Mammals on Earth.

There are more than 900 species of bats in the world, all broken up into different categories and classifications.  The Chiroptera Order is the first class in which bats are categorized.  From there they are split into suborders, genera, and then species.

🦇 Vampire Bats Do Not Actually Suck Blood, and Never Bite Humans.

Three species of vampire bats are known to exist around the world.  These three species of bats do not actually “suck” blood from other mammals.  They will, however, lick it up after emitting a bite to a cow or other large warm-blooded animal. 

Bat Removal and Control Near You

As you can see, bats are interesting and amazing creatures that are all too often misrepresented and misunderstood. Although bats deserve our respect and protection, they can sometimes be a nuisance to property owners. In this case, you need safe and humane bat abatement you can trust. 

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for humane bat removal and control service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our DNR licensed wildlife removal specialists offer a wide range of bat abatement services, including bat extraction, bat-proofing, attic cleanup and minor restorations for bat damages, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and much more! Request a free estimate, today.