Your attic's midnight visitors

___

Published Date 9/25/2025

They say that out in space, no one can hear you scream. But your attic? Everyone can hear bats. International Association of Home Inspectors’ Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard remind us that these Halloween icons might be more trouble than they're worth as houseguests.

Don’t believe everything you’ve seen in vampire movies about bats. Despite their fearsome reputation in flight, they are surprisingly tiny creatures, able to squeeze through openings smaller than half an inch wide. An interesting factoid? These flying mammals represent roughly 20% of all known mammal species and are the only mammals capable of sustained flight.

Signs of a bat invasion include accumulated guano (bat poop) clusters. They have a shiny speckled appearance from insect wing fragments. If you notice milky white urine stains on windows, mysterious stains around entry points, and scratching sounds in walls just before dusk and dawn, you’ve probably got bats. According to these experts, grease and dirt smears around entry points are another telltale sign.

As for health risks, a bat infestation is not to be taken lightly, with rabies posing the greatest threat. Most human cases of rabies in North America are traced to bats. Okay — this part is a bit scary: Their teeth are so sharp that sleeping victims might not realize they've been bitten. The strangest things about rabid bats is that they often appear in unusual places like bedrooms, seem approachable rather than fleeing from humans, remain active during daylight hours, or appear unable to fly.

A respiratory disease called Histoplasmos is another big concern. It comes from inhaling fungal spores found in bat droppings and can cause flu-like symptoms. If anyone in your household has a compromised immune system, it can prove fatal.

Removal is not just a catch-and kill proposition, requiring both patience and timing. Once you’ve identified entry points and have sealed most holes, you’ll leave one exit route. Once the pests are gone, install one-way mesh valves or plug the final hole after the critters leave for their nightly hunt. Experts warn, however, to never attempt removal during summer months when flightless babies would starve, as this would create additional problems with decomposing carcasses.

Nachi, TBWS

• < Prev
• Next >

All information furnished has been forwarded to you and is provided by thetbwsgroup only for informational purposes. Forecasting shall be considered as events which may be expected but not guaranteed. Neither the forwarding party and/or company nor thetbwsgroup assume any responsibility to any person who relies on information or forecasting contained in this report and disclaims all liability in respect to decisions or actions, or lack thereof based on any or all of the contents of this report.

Jeff Beck - NMLS ID: 19488. To verify licensing, visit NMLS Consumer Access (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). 

Jeff Beck

Loan Expert

NMLS: 19488

American Home Lending USA

240 S Buchanan St, Edwardsville IL 62025

Company NMLS: 2239

Office: 618-310-0091

Cell: 618-806-2281

Email: jbeck@ahlusa1.com

Web: https://www.americanhomelendingusa.com/