Abell Portal Abell Columbus
Change My Branch
Abell Columbus
Change My Branch
| | (216) 433-7030 (216) 433-7030

Top 10 facts about bats

Abell Pest Control

Often associated with frightening horror movies - filling a jet-black sky as an ominous sign of something bad to come just as the clock is striking midnight - bats may be unsettling creatures but do you actually know much about them? For instance, you probably didn't know that there are more than 1,000 species of bats worldwide, according to the Nature Conservancy. That makes up one fourth of all the mammals and of those species, 40 different kinds of bats exist in North America.

Top 10 facts about bats

  1. Bats must be pretty wise, as most of them can live for up to 30 years.
  2. Most people know that bats are associated with the dark, however did you know that they're capable of finding their food in complete darkness? By emitting inaudible high-pitched sounds, as many as 10 to 20 beeps per second, and listening closely for echoes, they're able to find insects for eating, according to the Nature Conservancy.
  3. The Mexican free-tailed bats are impressive eaters, consuming up to one third of their body weight in food each night, according to the National Pest Management Association. They feed mainly on insects and during the winter months they migrate to Mexico for the warmer weather. They return at the first signs of spring, generally in mid-March.
  4. If bats are found inside structures, they have the potential to be a serious risk to humans. Their droppings harbor a certain fungi that can cause problems such as the lung disease called histoplasmosis. If there are a large amount of droppings inside your home, office building or other property, it's critical that you hire a professional pest management team to take care of the problem.
  5. Vampire bats - bats known to live off the blood of animals, and perhaps provoke the fear of all bats - do not live in North America. Additionally, there are only three of these species in the world.
  6. More than 50 percent of the bat population in the North America is in decline, according to the Nature Conservancy.
  7. According to Live Science, some bats can consume close to 1,000 small insects in just one hour. What's more is that these mammals are actually very helpful in controlling the population of crop-destroying insects.
  8. Bats are the only mammals that can fly.
  9. Although a large number of the bat population flies south to warmer weather for the winters, there are some species that can survive in extremely cold temperatures and even after being encased in ice!
  10. On the islands in the South Pacific there is a species of bat that has a wingspan of up to 6 feet, according to the Natural Conservancy.


About the author:

Since 1924, Abell Pest Control has provided quality services, protecting our customers and their patrons from coast-to-coast. Our customers enjoy the expertise and resources of a national provider. Prouder yet, we are members of your community, ready to service your home or business 24/7.

We are reliable experts in pest control—experts who care. At Abell Pest Control, we bring experience, efficacy and knowledge to customers who are looking for a fast, safe and effective solution to their pest problem.

Related Articles

Check Us Out

Our Credentials