It’s that spooky time of year again, where people start thinking about ghosts and goblins – but what about bats? While we often see them as harmless and even cute in cartoons and movies, having bats in your home can be a serious problem. Not only can they be a nuisance, but they can also spread diseases and cause damage to your property. This post will discuss some effective ways to get rid of bats from your home, so you can enjoy a safe and bat-free spooky season.
Identify the Problem
The first step in getting rid of bats is understanding the problem. Bats typically find their way into homes through small openings, such as gaps in your roof, walls, or foundation. They may also enter through open windows or doors. Once inside, they can roost in attics, chimneys, and other dark and quiet spaces. Look for signs of bats, such as droppings, urine stains, and strong odors. You may also hear scratching or rustling noises, especially at night. Once you confirm that you have a bat problem, it’s time to take action.
Seal Entry Points
The next step is to prevent bats from entering your home. Identify and seal all potential entry points, such as gaps in your roofing or siding, cracks in your foundation, and openings around windows and doors. Use sealants or caulking materials to fill in these gaps, and consider installing screens or mesh over vents and chimneys. It is important to do this step in the evening or morning since bats are nocturnal, and that is when they leave their roosts to hunt for food.
Remove Roosting Sites
Bats need to roost during the day, so they often choose attics, crawl spaces, and other quiet and dark areas of your home. Once you’ve sealed off their entry points, it’s important to remove their roosting sites as well. Wear gloves, a mask and long sleeves before handling droppings, guano, or even a dead bat, which could have rabies, histoplasmosis, and many other diseases. Place them in plastic bags and dispose of them safely. Clean the roosting sites thoroughly with disinfectant to remove any odors or pheromones that may attract bats back to the area.
Install Bat Houses
While you definitely don’t want bats inside your home, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem as pollinators and insect-eaters. If you do decide to get rid of bats, consider installing a bat house on your property. A bat house is a specially designed structure that provides a safe and comfortable environment for bats to roost. Place it in a location that gets plenty of sunlight, like south-facing walls or roofs. Bat houses can provide a home for up to a hundred bats who could consume tons of nuisance insects per season! And they can indirectly help you with your mosquito and insect control on your yard.
Seek Professional Help
If you’re dealing with a large infestation in your home, or if you’re not comfortable handling bats on your own, seek help from professional wildlife removal. These companies can identify and remove bats from your home safely and humanely. They have specialized equipment and knowledge to handle the problem even on high places such as rooflines or high trees. They also take the safety of the bats into consideration—some of them are listed in the endangered species list.
Bats may be spooky and fascinating creatures, but having them roosting in your home can be a serious problem. By identifying and sealing entry points, removing roosting sites, and considering the installation of bat houses, you can safely and humanely get rid of bats from your home and prevent them from coming back. Remember to take precautions when handling bats or guano and never try to catch or harm them. If you need professional help, be sure to choose a reputable and humane wildlife removal company. Happy spooky and bat-free season!
