Most people know that bats, although helpful when it comes to controlling insects around your Alaska home, can be a dangerous carrier of rabies. However, a more important danger is the exposure to their droppings, or bat guano as it is commonly called, can lead to histoplasmosis.
Histoplasmosis can be transmitted from infected bats to humans through the spores in their droppings or bat guano, which can directly enter into your body just by breathing in the dust in a bat infested area. Oftentimes, there are only very mild flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, chest pain or shortness of breath.
It’s especially important to be aware of the danger to guano exposure if you have a weakened immune system, undergoing chemotherapy, a heavy smoker or advanced in age. In a more serious case, Histoplasmosis can resemble tuberculosis in nature, and lead to long-term illness. In extreme cases it can even be fatal.
Cleaning out an infested area, like your grandparent’s attic, can actually place you at risk. When our professional team at Varmint Gone Anchorage clear an area where guano is found we employ special masks, industrial vacuums with high-efficiency filters and take additional precautionary measures to ensure the safety of your family.
Ectoparasites are also a secondary danger when bat guano is present. When bat urine and guano accumulate in areas, such as your attic, crawl spaces or even in walls, it attracts arthropods. This includes ticks, mites, fleas and even cockroaches. While these nasty parasites rarely attack humans, most people can agree that sharing a home with these creatures can be less than pleasant. Fortunately, when bats, and their guano are professionally removed, these ectoparasites will quickly die.
If bats are present on your Alaska property, sealing off their entry points may not be enough. It’s best to call our professional Varmint Gone Anchorage staff to conduct a proper evaluation. Not only will your home be bat free, but our team will employ special procedures to remove and dispose of their guano and urine in a safe and environmentally friendly way to ensure your family’s health.
