According to the Nature Conservancy, there are over 1,100 species of bats, and they comprise 25% of the world’s mammals. This means you can pretty much find bats sleeping upside down everywhere. As this sometimes includes attics, American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services in New Milford, CT, would like to remind you it is illegal to trap or relocate bats, and you should always call a humane animal removal service experienced in bat control if you discover these animals in your home.

Since many people have misconceptions about bats, this animal removal team would like to share a few fun facts about them:

• They Are the Only Flying Mammals: While some mammals are capable of gliding, bats are the only ones capable of continued flight. They are also incredibly fast fliers and have been clocked up to 60 and 80 miles per hour.
• They Are Not Blind: Contrary to popular belief, bats are not actually blind. As a matter of fact, they can see as well as any human. However, as they are nocturnal animals, bats need a way of finding food in complete darkness. To do this, they use a frequency system called echolocation while flying to help them navigate their surroundings and distinguish objects from prey.
• They Help Control Insect Populations: The majority of bats eat insects, and on most nights, they will consume their weight in mosquitoes and other bugs. This helps keep these insect populations from getting out of control and destroying crops.
• Mother Bats Can Find Their Babies Among Millions of Bats: Every bat has a unique sound and smell, and this allows mothers to find their babies when they are lost in a horde of other bats.
• They Have Long Lifespans: For their size, bats live a rather long life. Some species have been known to live between 20 and 30 years.
• They Sleep Upside Down: While you might already know this one, most people don’t actually know why bats sleep upside down. Unlike birds, bats can’t simply launch their bodies into the air, and their legs are too small to help them get a running a start. Hanging upside down allows them to let go and fall into flight, which comes in handy if they need to quickly evade predators.

If you’ve discovered one or more bats living in the attic of your home, contact the humane animal removal team at American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services today at (860) 355-1231. They can seal up your home and encourage the bats to find a new roosting site. For more information about their bat and other wildlife control services, you can visit their website.