How long does a bat live? Between 20 and 40 years. Compared to a similar-sized animal like a rat that lives only two or three years, bats live between 20 and 40 years. Researchers theorize this has to do with the ability of bats to fly.
Bats are usually able to exist near human homes without making their presence known. However, with decreasing amounts of habitat available for bats (e.g., trees being cleared), bats may find their way into man-made structures. Bats use existing openings (cracks as small as 1 ΒΌ inch by 3/8 of an inch) to enter buildings or to roost in attics.
What should I do if I find dead or dying bats, or if I observe bats with signs of White-nose Syndrome? If you find a dead or dying bat: Contact your state wildlife agency, file an electronic report in those states that offer this service, e-mail U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists in your area, or contact your nearest Fish and Wildlife Service field office to report your potential White-nose Syndrome (WNS) observations.
Where do bats go after exclusion? Exclusion devices should be placed at all entry points and should remain in place for a minimum of seven days. These devices should be removed after all bats have been excluded, and exclusion points should then be sealed. Bat Con
Why is bat poop toxic? Histoplasmosis is a disease associated with the droppings of bats known as guano. The disease primarily affects the lungs and can be life threatening, particularly to those with a weakened immune system. It is transmitted when a person inhales spores from fungus that grow on bird and bat droppings.
Where do bats go after exclusion? Exclusion devices should be placed at all entry points and should remain in place for a minimum of seven days. These devices should be removed after all bats have been excluded, and exclusion points should then be sealed. Bat Con
Why are bats important? By eating insects, bats save U.S. agriculture billions of dollars per year in pest control. Some studies have estimated that service to be worth over $3.7 billion per year, and possibly as much as $53 billion. This value does not, however, take into account the volume of insects eaten by bats in forest ecosystems. U.S. Department of the Interior