What type of rats are most commonly found in Houston?
Roof rats or their scientific name Rattus Rattus are the most common rats found in the Houston area. They were brought into the US through shipping containers from Southeast Asia. Now they are commonly found in shipping and receiving cities throughout the US. This invasive species is commonly referred to as Roof rats because of their tendency to enter and reside in the upper areas of structures. They generally travel outside by means of power lines and fence tops.
The other type of rat not so commonly found is the Norway rat, also known as the Brown Rat. The Norway rat is a slightly larger less nimble rat. They are more of a burrowing rat, but can climb into attics as well.
The roof rat can be identified by having a longer tail than the body. The Norway rat has a larger body and shorter than body tail.
Both species of rats are prolific breeders and can have up to 6 litters in a single year. If you believe you are in need of rat extermination services, contact us for a Free Evaluation — Elite Wildlife Services has a proven rat removal process that is not only humane, but also highly effective.
What is the average cost for bat removal and guano removal?
Though it will be different based on each situation, average costs for dealing with a bat colony in a home ranges from $400 to over $9000 for very large or extensive infestations. Commercially, these costs can run even higher based on several factors such as the height of structures and accessibility. Bat removal can be tedious because it takes attention to detail to make sure every possible entry is sealed before the main entry areas have one-way valves installed to remove the animals and prevent them from entering a new spot. The clean-up portion can be equally challenging when it requires the removal of building materials to access the guano hidden where the bats resided.
Is guano harmful if left in a structure and should it be removed?
Aside from the heavy smell left over from a bat colony guano itself can be harmful to humans and animals if left in a structure. Bats can carry histoplasmosis and it is transmitted in the lungs via spores after the guano is disturbed in some manner, typically through clean-up or even walking through it in an attic. Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection affecting the respiratory system and can be fatal. If the guano can be accessed or removed through a demolition process, it is recommended that it is removed or at least chemically treated.
What is guano and how can I tell it apart from mouse droppings?
Guano is another term for bat excrement. It is similar in shape and size of mouse droppings and can be easily confused. Guano is easy to determine with a flashlight or other lighting means. If you crush it with a gloved hand and shine a light on the material left and it sparkles it is most likely guano. This is due to the exoskeletons of the insects that bats feed on nightly. Guano also has a smell often described as pungent, acrid or musty. It is often referred to as a smell that one will not forget.
Are bats protected in Texas?
Yes! Bats are protected by federal and state laws because they are deemed environmentally important. One bat can consume up to 1200 mosquito sized bugs in one hour. That’s almost 10,000 bugs a night. It is estimated that some of the largest colonies of these bats consume 250 tons of insects nightly! Although they are a great benefit to our environment, they are a nuisance when they enter our structures. Use only a licensed professional if you suspect a problem!
Where do Houston bats come from?
Although there are 11 species of bats that either reside or migrate through Houston, most bats that people will encounter in their Houston home or property are Mexican Free-Tailed bats. As the name suggests, they migrate back to Mexico to ride out winter in caves. However, if they find a suitable temperature/environment in one of our man-made structures they may not migrate and instead reside in Houston year-round.
