Bats are extremely helpful creatures in our buggy Florida environment. Without them, the populations of mosquitos and flies would balloon out of control. But, bats are not quite as helpful inside your house. They can cause a myriad of issues if they are allowed to roost in your attic for an extended amount of time. The worst thing about having bats in your attic is not the disruptions they cause; they are quiet and shy creatures which don’t make a lot of noise. Far worse is the guano, their excrement, which collects under their roosting sites.
What You Should Know about Guano
Guano can resemble rodent droppings, but it has a couple important differences. First, scattered pieces might look shiny or speckled, since bats consume a lot of insect wings. Guano is also more dusty than rat droppings, and will completely crumble when disturbed. Often, you will find it primarily in concentrated areas directly under roosting sites, so you might observe characteristic piles of the waste rather than dispersed pieces.
Guano Damage
There are several factors which can determine the extent of guano damage.
- Location of the piles: If the guano has built up in a fortified section of an attic, you will be safer than if it piles up on top of drywall. If you’re not so fortunate, the weight of the guano can bear down on the wall, causing structural damage.
- Proximity to air ducts: You don’t want to breathe in spores of any kind of waste, so if the pile of guano is near any vents or ducts, you will want to consult a professional.
- Amount of time: If the bats have been in your house for a long period of time, you will likely have significant piles of guano. Larger piles mean more damage and a harder cleanup.
- Attic insulation: One of the things most commonly ruined by guano is attic insulation, since the feces can become mixed into both fiberglass and loose insulation. In this case, you will have to throw out your old insulation and replace it.
Professional Bat Guano Cleanup
If you find large piles of Guano in your attic, call the professionals at Critter Control® of Ft. Lauderdale immediately. You need to take care of the problem as soon as possible to minimize the damage and repair costs. Our experts are fully certified to perform bat exclusions, should the animals still be in your attic, and also have the proper equipment to clean up guano and sanitize the space. If you’d like a free consultation or have any questions, please contact us today at 954-467-6067.