Health Hazards Associated with Birds and Bats

Imagine opening up a door to your home only to find a bird or bat swoop down upon you. Surely the unexpected present of any winged creature in your home is enough to cause alarm, but when it comes to dealing with a bird problem or a bat problem in the home, there are other reasons to worry. 

Through physical contact or the spreading of potentially harmful fungi through their droppings, birds and bats can pose serious health risks to humans that come into contact with them. This is a serious problem for many homeowners whose homes might have become a roosting or nesting location for a bird or bat population, no matter how big or small. It only takes one infected animal to cause an infection, so there’s no point risking it: here are three health hazards associated with bird and bat populations that you need to know.

Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!

Histoplasmosis

Bat droppings, known as guano, pose a serious health hazard to humans through the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which can lead to a respiratory illness called histoplasmosis. Disturbing roosts causes the spores to become airborne, which is why dealing with a bat situation is best left to the pros who can adequately navigate the health risks associated with a bat colony in your walls or attic.

This is not a situation that should be taken lightly. Once the bat guano dries, if it gets disturbed and the spores become airborne and are inhaled, the outcome can be deadly. Bat droppings are not only unsightly and filthy, but they are also extremely dangerous to leave lying around your home or property. 

Take a look at the video below to see what guano looks like and get an idea of how easy it is for bats to access the interior of your home:

Cryptococcosis

Similar to histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis infections occur as a result of animal droppings—pigeon droppings, in particular, appear to be the most common source of the infection. 

Cryptococcosis can be contracted from the disease fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that is typically found in dropping accumulations around roosting and nesting sites. You can expect this fungus to be present around attics, water towers, ledges, and other sites where birds are expected to gather around. The fungus is another serious health hazard resulting from the by-product of a bird problem—even if dry, bird droppings can pose a significant risk of infection. 

Similar to histoplasmosis, many cryptococcosis infections are mild and don’t show too many symptoms. Those with weakened or developing immune systems are more susceptible to infection, but as this infection begins in the lungs and then spreads to other areas of the body, there’s nothing to be gained by risking infection.

 

Ticks, Mites, Parasites

All wild animals have the potential to carry ticks or mites on their fur. Bird or bat roosts, in particular, can host parasites that can invade a home or office, putting everyone in it at risk. Luckily, parasites like ticks and mites from birds and bats are unlikely to transmit diseases to humans, but the irritation and cost of decontamination can cause a serious headache to anyone involved. Droppings, feathers, food, and dead birds or bats can breed flies and carpet beetles that can quickly spread to other areas of the building.

Another consideration is if you have household pets. If this is the case then it is sure to perpetuate the cycle making next to impossible to rid yourselves of the ticks and mites once your pets become infested. It’s best to act immediately and contact wildlife removal experts and eliminate the problem at the source, quickly.

 

Avoid the Risk

There are ways to tell if you might have a bird or bat problem in your home. Among the signs of a bat problem in the home, homeowners might spot droppings, smell strange, unfamiliar odors, or hear flapping or rustling sounds from inside the home. 

However tempting it may be to try your hand at resolving your bat or bird issue on your own, it is strongly advised that you leave this particular task to the professionals. It is not as simple as just sealing up any obvious entryways and calling it a day. If any animals are trapped in the building when the areas get sealed off, this will lead to further damage as the birds or bats try frantically to break back out; but if unsuccessful will lead to the animal perishing. This becomes unsightly, unhygienic as well as very odorous. All leading to further expenses and inconveniences. Furthermore, bats are a protected species in Ontario, therefore, harming or interfering with them can lead to heavy fines.

It’s important to determine the species of the intruder, identify the roosting location and entry points, and evacuate the animals before sealing entryways and decontaminating the area. Only an experienced wildlife control professional will have the appropriate understanding of animal behavior and possess the skills to navigate the full set of risks a bird or bat situation can pose on a home and the residents living in it.

Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!