Understanding Dangerous Bats in Lake Ozark, MO

Bats in the Lake Ozark, MO area can bring several different parasites, such as ticks, fleas, and bat bugs (comparable to bed bugs). Bat droppings can also lead to a fungal lung infection known as histoplasmosis. Contrary to a common misconception, bats in Missouri don’t suck blood; those are vampire bats, which are found in Latin America. There’s also a very small percentage of bats carrying rabies (less than half of 1 percent). Here are some common Missouri bat species to watch out for in your mid-Missouri home.

Tri-Colored Bat: The tri-colored bat is the smallest bat species in mid-Missouri, and the midwestern United States for that matter. They are a pale yellowish brown color and are rarely found in buildings and homes. In the summertime, tri-colored bats roost in trees and tight spaces in buildings or barns.

Little Brown Bat: These bats are about the size of a mouse, found hibernating in caves at the Lake of the Ozarks during the wintertime. When the weather heats up in the summer, however, they sometimes try to reside in the attic of mid-Missouri homes. Luckily, they rarely cause actual damage.

Big Brown Bat: The big brown bat is twice the size of the little brown bat, yet weighs only half an ounce. These bats seclude in small groups or by themselves in caves across the Missouri area. Big brown bats are one of the most common species found roosting in buildings and homes. They are not aggressive, but they will bite if they feel threatened or sick.

Evening Bat: These bats regularly roost in buildings, and they are present in Missouri during the spring, summer, and even early fall. Its fur is dark brown at the base and grayish towards the tips. They closely resemble big brown bats. Evening bats are sometimes helpful in eating pests surrounding the Lake Ozark, MO area.

Hoary Bat: This is the largest species of bat in Missouri. Hoary bats weigh about one ounce and have rich, brown fur contrasted with white. They roost in trees and have a large migration range, so it can be hard to predict how many hoary bats are in the mid-Missouri area.

Bats are commonly found roosting in attics or the walls of a home in Lake Ozark, MO. Being nocturnal, bats will hide in dark, secluded spaces, which can make them difficult to find and catch. Mid-Missouri homeowners can go years without realizing they have a bat problem. If you suspect bats are in your house, here are some common giveaways to confirm your suspicion:

• “Guano”, or bat droppings, in corners of the attic and entry points of the house. 
• Urine stains on the wall 
• An intense odor of ammonia caused by the bat feces 
• Small squeaking noises coming from the walls

All bats in the mid-Missouri area are protected by the Wildlife Code of Missouri, several of which are considered endangered species. With this in mind, it’s important to be cautious with a bat problem. If you find yourself in the same room as a flying bat, try to stay calm. They are likely just as confused and startled as you are. If possible, open a door or window and allow them to fly out. If they are in a room with no exit points from your mid-Missouri home, give about 15 minutes to let them tire themselves out. Then, with gloves on, cup them in a container and let them out on an elevated surface where they have the chance to fly away. When handling a bat problem, it’s best to call for bat control. Handling it alone could lead to bites or disease spreading. Steve’s Pest Control can care for your home by the Lake of the Ozarks with our premium lake service plan.