Louisiana bats belong to a special group of mammals that can fly. No other Louisiana furred animal’s posse’s true flight. Their Louisiana wings are actually elongated hands which are covered with thin layers of skin, or membranes. There are almost 1000 Louisiana species of bats in the bat world. Forty-five Louisiana species are native to the United States and six of these are endangered. There are 11 Louisiana species of bats that can be found in Louisiana. People tend to be afraid of bats, partly because they are active at night (called nocturnal) and we do not have much interaction with them because we are mostly sleeping in the night.
Louisiana Rafinesque’s big-eared bats are known to form nursery colonies in large hollow trees. Louisiana hollow tree roosts provide stable internal environments, protection from predators, and often contain well-insulated areas that form the hot-air traps essential for rearing young. These Louisiana bats range throughout the southeastern United States from southern Virginia south and west to eastern Texas and northward along the Mississippi River valley to southern Indiana. Their range most closely approximates the historical range of great cypress Louisiana swamps, indicating that they may have formed a traditional reliance on these areas as roosting and/or foraging sites.
As much of these Louisiana swamp-lands have been drained and trees have been harvested, these Louisiana bats have apparently moved their maternity roosts into old buildings or attics. Louisiana Rafinesque’s big-eared bats are slow, agile flyers and appear to forage on a wide variety of small, nocturnal insects, especially moths. They hibernate near their Louisiana summer foraging grounds in old mines, caves, and cisterns.
Though widespread in the eastern U.S., this Louisiana bat is nowhere abundant and population levels appear to have declined in the past century due to loss of Louisiana summer roosting or foraging habitat and/or disturbance at winter hibernacula. Louisiana Rafinesque’s big-eared bats are at special risk where they form nursery or hibernation colonies in caves that are susceptible to recreational disturbance and in abandoned Louisiana mines slated for closure or reclamation.
Removing bats from commercial and residential properties in Louisiana is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, bats can pose significant health risks to humans and pets. They are known carriers of diseases such as rabies, histoplasmosis, and bat guano-related respiratory issues, which can be transmitted through contact with their droppings, urine, or bites. Secondly, bat infestations can cause structural damage to buildings over time. Their droppings contain acids that can corrode metal surfaces and weaken wood, leading to costly repairs. Furthermore, the presence of bats can create unsanitary conditions, resulting in unpleasant odors and attracting other pests like insects and rodents.
Removing bats from commercial and residential properties in Louisiana is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of occupants. It also helps to maintain the structural integrity of buildings and preserve property values. By addressing bat infestations promptly and effectively, property owners can mitigate health risks, prevent damage, and create a safer and more comfortable environment for residents and visitors alike.
List of the 20 largest cities in Louisiana: 1. New Orleans 2. Baton Rouge 3. Shreveport 4. Lafayette 5. Lake Charles 6. Kenner 7. Bossier City 8. Monroe 9. Alexandria 10. Houma 11. New Iberia 12. Slidell 13. Central 14. Ruston 15. Sulphur 16. Hammond 17. Natchitoches 18. Gretna 19. Opelousas 20. Zachary