Bed bugs are feeders of humans, domestic animals and bats/birds. Bed bugs feed on blood only. Bed bugs are about 1/5-1/8 of an inch long. They are oval shaped and look about the same as a dog tick. After feeding, bed bugs become enlarged and turn a reddish color. Bed bugs have sucking mouthparts which enable them to in take blood through skin.

Histoplasmosis is a spore that can be found in bat droppings. When droppings are disturbed or cleaned up these spores can become airborne. If breathed in, the spores can develop a fungus in the lungs. This can cause breathing problems and make people very sick. Great care should be used when cleaning up bat droppings including wearing a respirator and gloves. Droppings can be sprayed with bleach and water to keep spores from becoming airborne.

Catching bats in a home can be tricky. Use towels or nets to contain the bat and then release it in another area outside. Releasing it close to the house will not do much good as the bat will probably just reenter where it originally got in. Gimmicky sound devices and moth balls do not work to repel bats. The best method of permanently keeping bats out of the house is a bat eviction service. This includes sealing all gaps that are a ¼ inch or greater and installing bat vents on areas that bats use to get in. After about a week, the vents can be removed and sealed. This is the only real way to keep bats from entering homes.

When bats enter homes they can also bring other visitors with them. Ectoparasites are a fancy name for varieties of bed bugs, bat bugs, fleas, mites, and chiggers. When a bat eviction service is performed it is also sometimes necessary to fog the areas when bats are out of the attic. This will kill any left over parasites.

Fall is a time of migration for many bat species in North America, this is also when large numbers of bats may enter buildings and structures. Bats are looking for safe areas to mate and reproduce. The four main species of bats in Iowa are big brown bat, little brown, northern, and eastern bats. The big brown bat will over winter in attics and walls without migrating.

Bats in Iowa Big Brown Bats, Little Brown Bats, Red Bats, Northern Long Eared Bats, Hoary Bats, Evening Bat, Silver Haired Bat, and Eastern Pipistrelle. Some bats can carry rabies. The state of Illinois has marked an increase in rabies in the last few years (see news blogs). However, rabies should not be a concern of homeowns. Histoplasmosis is another health factor associated with bats. If bats establish a colony in attics or walls excess droppings can contain this spore. Cleaning these droppings and making the spores airborne can cause some respiratory problems. Respirators should be worn at all times when cleaning bat droppings.