The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is very widely distributed throughout most of North America including all but a few areas of the southern U.S and some parts of California. These bats roosting habits vary depending upon the time of day and year. They will live in trees, beneath rocks and in all types of buildings. In all situations they prefer sites that are warm, dark, and quiet. In homes, they’ll often inhabit the gable vents on the warmer south facing side. Within its’ northern range, the little brown bat is active from mid spring through early fall. Their diet is made up entirely of flying insects and they’ll consume up to half of their body weight during an average night. (Imagine what we’d all look like if we ate like that!) In the early fall, these bats will migrate to seek out caves and begin a lengthy period of hibernation (up to seven months). The little brown bat is a surprisingly long-lived animal (up to 10 years+) measuring between 2 to 4inches in length (body only) with shiny, variable brown fur, and dark brown to black wings. Individual bats may weigh up to ½ oz. and have a wingspan exceeding 10 inches.
Although the little brown bat is a very beneficial insect predator, you should not want to share your home with them. They are host to several parasites, including tapeworm, fleas, bedbugs,(a close relative to the human bedbug) and rabies. If you suspect that you are sharing your home with bats, please contact us for humane removal, and expert bat-proofing.