13
let's all just say that this stuff can be highly deadly, but most things you use in farming are highly dangerous. about 30% of all injuries occur in some kind of farming or farm vehicle experiment. it's not that big of a surprise. bats eat poisonous bugs for goodness sake.
- OMGbuster
12
My understanding of this fertilizer is ancient in origin and that the Natives of South America had the dung burnt in a special manner, a slow burning process. It was then used as a fertilizer.
A program on this topic aired on Coast to Coast AM with George Nooray.
- anon30001
11
I work at a hospital in Canada, and I have recently had a patient who developed farmers lung from inhalation of bat dung. Yes, it is very dangerous and yes, you should hire a professional to have it removed.
This particular individual for whom I have cared for will be in the hospital for a long-term period, and if i were you I would not take the chance of cleaning it yourself, because it is not worth the risks associated with exposure to guano.
- anon28705
10
Can guano be a health hazard?
- ericakayy
9
are there any chemical reactions regarding guano?
- deetui
8
hmm. i was watching a show on youtube, now it is one of those online websites that show minerals and other natural resources... now they were talking about animal by-products and its uses and they said bats by-products known as guano is also asbestos... is this true?
- anon24038
7
I am removing bat guano from a barn for someone. He wants me to spread it in his garden. after reading your article i am not sure if I should. It has been there for a few years i'm sure. I have respirators and suits and gloves for protection. Please let me know if it is ok to put in the garden. Also if too much is bad for the garden.
- bigdog13
6
is it true that energy drink co. use guano in their products that we drink?
- anon8854
Editor's reply: i think you're referring to guarana, which is a fruit, not guano. check out our article,
What is Guarana? for more information.
5
Is there really any type of guano bowl?
- anon6113
4
After guano has lain around for a couple of years, a fungus can grow in it, releasing spores into the air that cause histoplasmosis in humans. The east and central parts of the U.S. are especially susceptible to the fungus that causes this disease.
Histoplasmosis can cause serious respiratory diseases in humans, causing fever and chest pains. If left untreated, histoplsmosis can turn into a chronic lung disease that resembles tuburculosis. In the very young and the very old, or people who already have cancer, AIDS or other serious illnesses, histoplasmosis can be fatal. Histoplasmosis can also travel from the lungs to the eyes, causing ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, which destroys the central vision (not periphreal). The lung problems can many times be cured with anti-fungal medications, but the ocular disease has no cure.
If bat guano is found in a home or other building, it is important to have it removed as soon as possible by a trained professional. A professional will search for any roosting bats that may be inside, then for any passageways that may be accessible to bats. Any points of entry have to be closed so that the bats do not reappear.
To remove guano, a professional will wear a respirator and dress in protective gear. The guano is usually sprayed with water or a fungicide so that the removal process will not cause the fungus to become airborne. It can then be cleaned up via a specialized vacuum, together with cleaning chemicals, or can be collected manually, or a combination of both.
If bat guano has been found in the house, especially if it has been there for a few years, it is important to watch for any symptoms and to get medical attention if any lung or eye disease symptoms begin. Early treatment is extremely important in the ocular histoplasmosis, as laser treatments can stop the vision loss, though they can not restore any vision that has already been lost.
- violetsky70
2
I have suspicions that there are bats in the chimney in the home I am renting. The fireplace is gas and has not been used for years; glass-enclosed firepit, standard chimney. Concerned there is guano in the firepit. Very interested in comments/responses to the above story.
- anon2925
1
I have recently found out that I have bats in my attic (since one was found in my kitchen and I nearly went spastic)....
Now, I am being told by the person from Wild Life Control whom I am paying $700 to bat proof the outside of my home (a way for them to get out and not return but only guaranteed for THREE years).
In addition they want $1,200 to clean the bat droppings from the attic area and disinfect it because they are telling me that the
"guano" is cancer causing and as dangerous as asbestos. Is this true? What danger is there in removing this guano, if any? Can this cause lung disease? Should I let the professionals remove it and not allow a family member to do this removal due to danger? I appreciate a reply.
- anon2501