BATS

First, let me say, bats make good neighbors.  As the only major predators of night flying insects, bats play an important role in controlling many insect pests.  A single bat can consume as many as 500 insects in just one hour, or nearly 3,000 insects every night. 
HOWEVER, not only can bats carry RABIES, they can also carry HISTOPLASMOSIS.  Histoplasmosis is an airborne disease caused by a microscopic fungus that occurs in soil and in the nitrogen-rich droppings of birds and bats.  A dry cough and other flu-like symptoms are the usual signs of histoplasmosis, which is often mistaken for influenza.  While histoplasmosis often does not  produce any symptoms, severe symptoms such as high fever, problems with vision, and life-threatening complications occasionally do occur.

The Little Brown Bat is a colonial bat.  The wingspan is 9.02 to 10.59 inches with long hairs on toes extending beyond its claws, and is rich dark brown in color.  Their roosting sites include buildings and hot attics.  This is the most common bat in North Carolina.

The Big Brown Bat is also a colonial bat.  The wingspan is 12.80 to 13.78 inches and is reddish brown to a dark brown.  This is a large bat without any distinctive markings.  Roosting sites include chimneys, attics, barns, behind shutters and unused sliding doors.

The Silvered Haired Bat is a solitary bat, except with young.  The wingspan is 10.63 to 12.20 inches.  The ears are short, rounded, and hairless.  They are usually black with silver tipped fur.  May roost in and on buildings.

The Hoary Bat is a solitary bat, except with young.  The wingspan is 14.96 to 16.14 inches.  They are dark in color with many hairs tipped in white.  They rarely enter houses.

The Keens Bat is a solitary bat.  The wingspan is 8.98 to 10.16 inches.  They are brown, but not glossy and somewhat paler in the East.  Roosting sites include under wooden shingles, sheltered entryways of buildings, and barns.

The Evening Bat is a colonial bat.  The wingspan is 10.24 to 11.02 inches.  They are medium brown with some variations to yellow brown.  Summer maternity colonies like buildings.




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