Bats have quite a frightening reputation among most people. They’re generally feared, and people are likely to panic if one enters their home. This is understandable, and incidents like this should be handled carefully by a bat removal expert. Otherwise, there are many beliefs about these winged creatures that aren’t entirely accurate. Here are three common misconceptions to keep in mind the next time you spot a bat soaring above you.

Bat Blindness & Other Myths

1. They Can’t See

The adage about being “as blind as a bat” stems from somewhere—but it has nothing to do with the bat’s actual vision. Not only can they see, but they can do so quite capably. According to Barbara A. Schmidt-French, a bat biologist, and Carol A Butler, authors of the book, Do Bats Drink Blood?: Fascinating Answers to Questions about Bats, bats can also see at night. Megabats, in particular, have cones in their retinas that make it easy to see color in dim lighting.

2. They Are Rabid

One of the reasons people tend to fear bats is due to the possibility of acquiring rabies, which can be fatal for those who aren’t vaccinated. However, the majority are not rabid, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That said, you should still contact a bat removal expert if there is one inside your home or on your property. Bats that don’t move when you approach them might be sick in some way, so it’s best to be cautious.

3. They Love Hair

An age-old tale that has turned into an unverified fact is that bats get tangled in human hair and build nests because they can’t escape. A bat may indeed swoop close to your head if they’re in your house or you’re in their general vicinity, at which point you should contact a bat removal expert. But it’s not because they want to make a home in your hair. They’re merely seeking insects for their next meal. To find their food, bats use echolocation, a process by which they emit sound waves through their nose or mouth. When the waves make contact with an object, such as an insect or your body, an echo forms. The bat can use the content of the echo to determine the size, location, and shape of the object.
 

Are you worried about a bat on your property? Turn to the professionals at Batman Enterprises in Mason, OH. Proudly serving clients throughout Greater Cincinnati, the company offers more than 20 years of experience handling bat removal carefully, efficiently, and humanely. They also provide home inspections and remodeling to resolve bat- and guano-related damage and to prevent more infestations in the future. They take care of all of these issues ethically, without harming the bats or the environment they live in. Visit them online for details, or call (513) 600-3079 to schedule an appointment.