Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera (/kaɪˈrɒptərə/; from the Greek χείρ – cheir, “hand” and πτερόν – pteron, “wing”) whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, can only glide for short distances. Bats do not flap their entire forelimbs, as birds do, but instead flap their spread-out digits, which are very long and covered with a thin membrane or patagium.
Bats are the second largest order of mammals (after the rodents), representing about 20% of all classified mammal species worldwide, with about 1,240 bat species divided into two suborders: the less specialized and largely fruit-eating megabats, or flying foxes, and the highly specialized and echolocating microbats. About 70% of bat species are insectivores. Most of the rest are frugivores or fruit eaters. A few species, such as the fish-eating bat, feed from animals other than insects, with the vampire bats being hematophagous, or feeding on blood.
Bats are present throughout most of the world, performing vital ecological roles of pollinating flowers and dispersing fruit seeds. Many tropical plant species depend entirely on bats for the distribution of their seeds. Bats are economically important, as they consume insect pests, reducing the need for pesticides. The smallest bat is the Kitti’s hog-nosed bat, measuring 29–34 mm (1.14–1.34 in) in length, 15 cm (5.91 in) across the wings and 2–2.6 g (0.07–0.09 oz) in mass. It is also arguably the smallest extant species of mammal, with the Etruscan shrew being the other contender. The largest species of bat are a few species of Pteropus (fruit bats or flying foxes) and the giant golden-crowned flying fox with a weight up to 1.6 kg (4 lb) and wingspan up to 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in).
Per ethical and legal guidelines, bat exclusions may only be performed in spring and fall. During the winter, bats are hibernating and vulnerable, and exclusions done then will either be unsuccessful or harmful. During the summer, bat pups are being born and reared, and exclusions done then will not allow proper time for these pups to safely develop. Wayfare Pest Solutions is committed to the safety and protection of bats, as well as their expert removal.
Inspection
Prior to the exclusion service, Wayfare Pest Solutions will provide a thorough and informative inspection of the structure that bats are getting into and the surrounding area, gathering information for an assessment of the time and money it will take our team to provide the necessary complete exclusion.
Exclusion and Bat House Installation
The exclusion process may take several days depending on the scale of repairs and the amount of technicians on the job. It includes closing every gap large and high enough for a bat to get into, using materials like steel and industrial sealants to ensure long lasting results. These gaps may include attic vents, roof vents, dormers, and construction gaps along the roofline. We will identity the most common entry point for each space that bats are using and install a bat cone: essentially, a one way door that lets bats out but prevents them from getting back in by disrupting their echolocation. Wayfare Pest Solutions prides itself on being the regional pest control company that goes leagues to seal up every gap, even in extreme or difficult cases.
Additionally, we offer the building and installation of bat houses. Our houses are professionally and beautifully made and we will work with you to find an installation site that works for your property, in an optimal location- usually a tree or its own pole. This installation is usually done during the exclusion work.
Follow Up
After repairs, if you think we missed something, let us know, and we will return as soon as we can to fix it; repairs on this scale cannot be 100% guaranteed on the first try. In most situations, we are able to come back out in about two weeks, remove the bat cone, complete the repair where it was, and have you bat and worry free. If your bat infestation was severe enough to need clean an attic clean out, we have a referral for a Wayfare-endorsed business that’s been trusted to do so for years.
Photo credit: Derek Conrad
If you are living in Portland, Vancouver, WA or any of the surrounding areas and have a bat problem, give us a call toll-free at 1 (844) WAYFARE or 844-929-3273 to schedule a service.
Wayfare Pest Solutions will take care of it for you without upsetting the balance of the ecosystem, posing a threat to your family, your pets, your neighbors’ pets, and other furry things that we like via our Full Contact IPA method . . . and get results. Don’t call us first. Call us LAST.
Why Choose Wayfare Pest Solutions
We’re passionate about helping people just like you get rid of unwanted pest problems. As such, we are proud to be the only pest control company in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR promising excellence in value, service, and trust.
Service
We’re not happy unless you are. So if you’re not satisfied with your most recent service, we’ll make it right.
Trust
We know you are putting a lot of trust in our hands. So we promise to treat you and your home with respect.
Value
After your pest inspection, we’ll provide you with a quote that makes sense for your budget and unique needs.
We used Wayfare for some birds who decided to nest in our attic. The technicians arrived on time and were very knowledgeable. They did a through inspection of our attic and showed me the areas of concern. They communicated continuously throughout and did a fantastic job helping us. I will definitely call them again for any needs we have in the future. I want to mention they were also the most affordable option with one other company quoting us over a thousand more. I highly recommend them!– Erin H. in Vancouver, WA.
Fast response and service! Mark came right out when I had wasps in my house suddenly. I was concerned there was a nest in my attic. He was thorough and checked the attic and outside eaves and sprayed and explained what was going on. I was grateful, the price was fair, and I highly recommend Wayfare.– Dee B. in Vancouver, WA
A while back, I contacted Mark about a mole problem I had been experiencing. He sent someone over who showed me how to set some traps. Eventually, I figured out how to do it and caught my first mole. The service was professional and effective. Mark and his staff are excellent, professional, and just good at what they do.– Jeremy H. in Vancouver, WA
