Bat guano can cause histoplasmosis, an airborne disease that affects the respiratory system. Bats often roost in attics and barns, leaving toxic droppings that can cause the disease. Removal should be done by professionals, but if cleaning is necessary, a face mask and high-efficiency vacuum should be used.
The major health problem associated with bat guano is histoplasmosis. This airborne disease originates in a fungus that lives in bat droppings. It can affect the respiratory system of any human who breathes air to which they have been exposed. The body is usually able to fight off this disease, however, individuals with compromised immune systems may require medications for treatment.
Bats often choose to roost in attics and open rafters of houses and barns. They sleep during the day, hunt at night, and can create extensive nests by mating and producing young after a few seasons. The bat guano they leave, both within the upper areas of the house and on the ground outside, is very toxic to humans if disturbed.
Histoplasmosis can live on top of bat guano or in soil that has been exposed to bat droppings. When guano is mixed in any way, the fungus becomes rapidly airborne. It can circulate in the breathing air of a home or building and infect the lungs of any individual who inhales it.
The disease typically takes about ten days to germinate and start showing symptoms. Sufferers tend to complain of fever, chest pains, cough, headache and loss of appetite. The body’s immune system is usually able to fight off the disease and make a full recovery within several weeks. Those with compromised immune systems, such as individuals who are already ill with another disease or have been infected with AIDS, may require treatment that includes medication and hospitalization.
Many countries, including the United States, protect bats as an endangered species and do not allow them to be exterminated during the removal process. Homeowners may want to contact a professional exterminator who can completely remove the infestation without killing the animals. They should immediately seal any remaining openings in the attic or rafters of the house once this has been completed to prevent pets from returning. Some of these services also charge a pet waste removal fee.
Bat guano is only toxic if disturbed and will disperse itself harmlessly into the air if left untouched after two to three years. If the infestation has occurred in a part of the house that may be isolated from occupants, or in an outbuilding that is rarely used, it may help not to remove the droppings at all. Most cases of disease from exposure to this type of litter occur after a nest box or the ground near a nest box has been cleaned and removed. If a homeowner prefers to clean the area, he or she should wear a face mask capable of filtering particles down to a milli-micron. He should use a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency air filter to remove the waste and immediately place it in a sealed garbage bag.
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