All Bats species in the Black Hills of South Dakota are protected by law and you may not kill any of them. South Dakota has as many as 11 species of bats that are all protected. Bats are beneficial to humans by eating a large variety of insects. Jewel Cave serves as the largest bat colony in the Black Hills area.
No, bats are not blind and many can see very well. Bats are the only mammals that can really fly and there are over 1200 known species of bats. 1 Little Brown Bat can eat up to 1,200 night flying insects in just one hour. The 20 million Mexican free-tail bats from Bracken Cave, Texas bats can eat up to 250 tons of insects in a night!
If you are having problems with bats and your home, Black Hills Professional Home Inspections LLC and Black Hills Thermal Imaging can provide you with comprehensive Bat Access Inspection of your home and give you ways to keep them out of your home. Maintain your home by sealing all holes and cracks around your home. A bat can squeeze into very small holes and cracks as small as 3/8 of an inch, so look around your home attentively. As with all animals, bats live where food, water, space, and shelter can be found in the best arrangement.
If you have bats around your home you may build and install bat houses that they love and will also help prevent bats from entering your home.
Bats can be found in almost every part of the world except where it is very, very hot or really cold areas.
“BATS ARE WILD ANIMALS AND YOU SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THEM. YOU MUST LEAVE THEM ALONE.”