Why it’s important to perform treatment for bat bugs soon after exclusion

By

September 27, 2024

Dr. Jamel Sandidge, BCE

Dr. Jamel Sandidge, BCE

Nisus

Look up! When trying to distinguish between bat bugs and bed bugs without a microscope or hand lens, look up. Bat bugs generally are going to be found in attics and ceiling voids, where they find their way through cracks, crevices and paths created by things such as light fixtures. A quick glance at the glass globe of a ceiling light or examining beds or sofas directly under recessed lights often can provide evidence that the problem you are after is bats (and their bugs), not bed bugs. Another clue is when bites or sightings only occur on the second floor.

After bats are excluded, bat bugs that are dislodged or drop from the host may stay alive for several months — even up to a year if they are well fed. Eventually, they will start searching for their next meal, so it is important to perform treatment for bat bugs soon after exclusion. Luckily, most products that control bed bugs also are labeled for their slightly hairy cousins. Treatments for bat bugs can be performed alongside efforts to sanitize, remove guano and contaminated insulation, or alongside bio-sanitation efforts to eliminate the organic source of the odors left behind by their intrusion.

About the Author

Avatar photo

Dr. Jamel Sandidge, BCE, is national director of technical services at Nisus Corp.

Leave A Comment