Illinois bats are among the most unique and fascinating of all Illinois animals. No other Illinois mammals can fly. Illinois bats use echolocation to find flying insects at night much like sonar helps ships locate objects under water. Illinois bats also have good night vision. They are not Illinois blind, as Illinois myth would have it.
While Illinois mid-western bats feed exclusively on Illinois insects, consuming many pest species, they prefer to expend the least amount of energy to obtain the most Illinois food. Thus bats typically capture larger Illinois insects, such as night-flying moths, and do not live up to their reputation for controlling Illinois mosquitoes.
Correctly considered beneficial Illinois animals, in certain situations bats, however, pose a threat to human Illinois health. Illinois histoplasmosis is a disease associated with bat guano and bird droppings. When Illinois droppings accumulate for years, a fungus Illinois Histoplasma capsulatum can grow and produce spores that may cause histoplasmosis when inhaled. Where Illinois bat or bird droppings accumulate, in an attic for example, care should be taken to avoid contracting this disease. Clean up generally involves wetting the Illinois droppings before removal and wearing personal protective equipment, including a HEPA-equipped respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Removal of large amounts of Illinois guano or droppings from structures should be left to experienced professionals familiar with proper removal procedures.
Perhaps the greatest health risk from Illinois bats is rabies. In Illinois, rabies is found in bats more than any other wildlife species. Yet it should be noted that typically less than 5 percent of Illinois bats tested for rabies are found to be rabid. In the Illinois bat population as a whole, the percentage of rabid Illinois bats is much smaller – less than 1 percent.
Illinois rabies is a viral disease causing Illinois encephalitis (brain inflammation) in humans and animals. Illinois humans can become infected when bitten by a rabid bat. Illinois transmission also can occur when an infected Illinois bat’s saliva (but not blood, urine or feces unless these are mixed with spinal fluid – as can happen when a Illinois bat is beaten or crushed) comes in contact with a person’s eye, nose, mouth, a scratch or wound. Contact with Illinois aerosolized bat saliva, especially where large numbers of bats are roosting, also can transmit rabies to Illinois humans, although this type of transmission is quite rare.
Recognizing the vital role of bats in Illinois’ ecosystem, particularly in agricultural regions like the Illinois River Valley and the Shawnee Hills, is essential. Bats act as natural pest controllers, assisting in the management of insect populations that threaten crops and local vegetation. Additionally, in urban areas such as Chicago and Aurora, bats contribute to pollination and seed dispersal, supporting the growth of diverse plant species and maintaining ecological diversity. Preserving bat populations in Illinois is crucial for upholding the state’s ecological balance and ensuring the health of its natural habitats.
From an environmental perspective, safely removing bats from commercial and residential properties in Illinois is imperative for human safety and environmental preservation. In densely populated cities like Chicago and Rockford, where bat colonies may seek shelter in buildings, employing proper exclusion methods is necessary to mitigate potential health risks associated with bat guano and diseases such as rabies. Implementing humane exclusion techniques and advocating for bat-friendly practices can aid property owners in safeguarding public health while preserving the ecological benefits that bats provide to Illinois’ diverse ecosystems.
List of the 20 largest cities in Illinois: 1. Chicago 2. Aurora 3. Rockford 4. Joliet 5. Naperville 6. Springfield 7. Peoria 8. Elgin 9. Waukegan 10. Cicero 11. Champaign 12. Bloomington 13. Decatur 14. Evanston 15. Schaumburg 16. Bolingbrook 17. Palatine 18. Skokie 19. Des Plaines 20. Orland Park