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Facts, Identification & Control

Latin Name

Order Chiroptera





Behavior, Diet & Habits


Most bats are insectivores, feeding on insects at night. Bats will also frequent outside lighting where insects will be flying in warmer weather. They may also be found near swimming pools, as insects might be attracted to these areas. There are some species that prefer other foods such as fruits, but most of these are not usually found in the United States.




Winter hibernation is an instinct felt by all domestic bat species. Some travel less than 100 miles, while others travel thousands of miles from their summer roost. Equally fascinating is that some species winter in small groups, while others choose to gather in large numbers for their winter rest.



Many bats produce one litter of a few young per year, but number of offspring and mating habits vary depending on bats species.

Signs of a Bat Infestation


Homeowners may detect bats in several ways.  As bats enter and leave an opening, the oils from their fur get deposited and can result in a brown to black stain.  Bats can cause noises inside the home from their routine activities. Their droppings are another indicator of bat activity. The droppings are segmented and full of insect parts, which helps differentiate them from mouse droppings. The bats themselves are a sign and may be observed exiting from the home in the dusk to early evening hours.

More Information

Are Bats Dangerous?


Bats are a unique mammal that has a long and storied history full of misconceptions. Through time, they’ve become associated with evil of many forms, such as sorcery, witchcraft, haunted cemeteries and vampires. Bats also have long been feared due to a belief that rabies is rampant within their population. This is only partially true. Bats can carry rabies, but it is rare, and most bats prefer to avoid interaction with humans so the chances of transmittal are low except when performing bat control work.

What is true about bats is they’re nocturnal and the only mammal capable of true flight. Bats are beneficial to humans, since common species feed entirely on insects. Some people even choose to install bat houses on their property to encourage nesting.

Bat Species


Though bats are distinct as a family, individual species can be difficult to differentiate. There are over 900 species of bats worldwide with approximately 40 of these residing north of Mexico.

The three of the most common species encountered domestically are the big brown bat, the little brown bat and the Mexican free-tailed bat. These can be difficult to tell apart (even for a professional), so it’s recommended that an expert be consulted prior to attempting any control efforts.