Bats are relatively common pests found in people’s homes, particularly during the winter. They often seek shelter indoors to stay warm during the colder months. These pests are especially concerning because they can frighten people, ruin insulation and carry diseases. Here are a few you ways you can tell if there are bats in your home:

Sounds in Your Attic

One of the more unsettling, and perhaps the most common, ways to tell if you have bats is if you’re hearing sounds coming from the attic. If you hear little chirps, screeches or scratches in the ceiling or inside the walls, this is an indication of a bat infestation. Bats are nocturnal, so you’ll likely hear these sounds at night or in the early morning.

Grease Stains

Many bats have oily skin and fur. When they enter your home through a small hole or crack, they often leave behind little grease stains around the entry point. If you see a gap in the exterior of your home with a greasy or oily residue on it, this may be a sign that bats have entered your home.

Droppings

Another sign of a bat infestation is droppings. This is also referred to as guano. These droppings slightly resemble rodent droppings. They’re small and black in color, generally about the size of a seed. The main way to distinguish bat guano from rodent droppings is that bat guano tends to cluster up into small piles beneath bats’ roosts, while rodent droppings tend to be more scattered.

Unpleasant Smells

If you notice an unpleasant odor, generally coming from your attic, you may have a bat infestation. Bat guano and urine can leave a pungent odor that smells like ammonia. One of the main ways bats spread diseases is through their droppings. For your family’s health and safety, it’s best to avoid these areas and call a bat removal professional for help.

Bats Flying Outside

If you live in an area popularly inhabited by bats, like in the woods or around a lot of hanging trees, you may notice bats flying outside. You may even hear chirping and screeching outside at night. If you see bats flying around where you live, it’s likely they’re also entering your home. Especially if you spot a small hole or gap in the exterior of your house.

If you notice any of these signs or a combination of a few in your Omaha home, your trusted pest control team at Pro-Staff is here to help. We keep your family safe by clearing out bats from your home and by helping you prevent future infestations with our expert bat removal process. Call us at (402) 819-7378 or contact us online for your free inspection.