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You might think that bats aren’t anything problematic, but the truth is, they can be. Most people think that they’re harmless and can’t cause any real damage (except entangling themselves in your hair. Well, not really, this is just a belief). However, you should know that bats aren’t just noisemakers. They’re annoying animals that usually lose themselves inside your home after accidentally (or purposely) entering. If you are asking how to get rid of bats, this article is just what you are looking for.
First thing’s first: You need to understand that the sound and noise bats make is an alarm sound. From the first moment onwards, you’ll need all your wits about you and you’ll have to make the decision to start attempting to get rid of them. They aren’t some harmless animals that are lost; they can cause many problems that might set you back a lot in terms of finances.
On top of that, bat guano can seriously expose you to diseases. A dangerous one at that! Everyone in your home is potentially exposed to bat guano and it’s in your best interest to act accordingly.
You can call the exterminators, but most of the time, the problem can be dealt with by just one individual – you. Some simple steps need to be followed and you might get rid of bats yourself in no time. The general population usually doesn’t know how to deal with bats because they’re mostly focused on rodents, but the whole removal process here isn’t anything to be wary of. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist!
Figuring Out What’s Wrong
Your first course of action should be identifying the problem. You can’t be sure that it’s bats, right off the bat (pun unintended), so attempt to figure out the issue. The sounds and noises you hear at night might be something leaky like a water pipe or the wind. Unless you’ve directly come across either the bats themselves or their guano, don’t start this process. It’s most likely another type of vermin you’re dealing with.
Keep in mind that misidentifying the problem can lead to more issues. You need to be vigilant and only when you’re 100% sure that bats are to blame, continue with the process.
Additionally, you can contact a pest removal specialist that would have an easier time determining whether or not you have bats in your home. If you opt for this route, be sure to ask them what type of bat is usually found around your area.
Keep a Sharp Eye Out
The best way of figuring out if you have bats is by searching for bat guano. This is basically a bat’s poop and it comes in the form of pellets that are dark and small.
You also wouldn’t want to continue smelling the guano because a) health issues, and b) it smells musky. The scent is often described as ‘overpowering’.
The downside of actually finding some bat guano is that the bats have most likely already roosted. This means that there’ll be more of them and that they’re familiar with your home.
Here are a couple of extra tips:
- Don’t search for bat urine – You most likely won’t find it. Bat urine is almost always invisible and very difficult to spot. Sometimes though, you might notice small stains somewhere in your home. These stains are accompanied with a sharp odor.
- Don’t linger near bat guano – If you find bat guano, don’t stay in its vicinity for too long. It can sometimes field fungal spores (which originate from mold). These are very dangerous to your overall health and long exposure can lead to issues such as respiratory infections, hemorrhagic fever, and histoplasmosis.
We’ve basically mentioned that bats, although considered harmless by many people, are dangerous and can cause you to become sick. Therefore, extra caution is advised when dealing with bats.
Find Out What Bat Species Live Close by
Not all bats are created equal and some methods may prove to be insufficient to deal with certain species. That’s why you need to do your best to research as much as possible about bat populations near your area. This is a vital step. As mentioned before, you can always ask a pest removal specialist.
Find out information such as when the maternity season starts. This, too, is crucial! For example, there have been cases where people have succeeded in driving the bats away, only for the newborns to starve and die, thus causing attics to become bat graveyards. The stench is unbearable too and you’ll have a much larger job on your hands.
- Bats aren’t adaptable – Bats can’t survive everywhere. They need highly specialized areas and conditions that would suit their survival. This is why the whole process of figuring out what species of bat is infesting your home isn’t too tedious or difficult. Narrow down the species by looking through the regions. Information is key, and without this info, you won’t be able to get rid of them as quickly as you’d like.
- Use your eyes – When searching for bat species on the Internet, you’ll most often be presented with a photo for each individual species. If you’re lucky enough, try to get a good enough view of a bat that’s infesting your house. Compare what you saw with bat species photos and you’ll possibly be able to figure the species out on your own.
Search for Cracks
Dark, enclosed spaces are what interests bats. They are rather picky, too, so there aren’t a lot of spaces in your home where they could reside. The most common one is in the attic.
Simple enough; bats can enter your attic through various cracks and most likely love living there. Think about it: In the wild, they live in caves, so it’s only natural that they’d search for dark places.
Your basement, chimney flue, and crawlspace are also exposed. Look close because any small crack could be enough for them to crawl through. You can close those cracks, but if there aren’t any bats, look elsewhere.
Bats don’t need much to squeeze through, ⅜ths of an inch is all it takes! Alternatively, you can also get out of your home at night and look at how the bats are entering and leaving your home.
Get Rid of Bats
Here’s some good news. You won’t have to kill bats in order to get rid of them! In fact, some places forbid the killing of bats as they’re considered a protected species. Luckily, as said earlier, you don’t need a lot to get rid of bats!
Before we start, here’s a tip – invest in a white noise machine that will disrupt their ‘seeing’ method of echolocation. The inconvenience should be enough to aid the other methods you’ll be using.
- Use a light – Remember when we said that bats are attracted to dark places? Well, prevent them from having one by hanging a light to shine in your attic and basement.
- Use aluminum foil – You can hang these from the ceiling to create an obstacle course that would disorient the bats.
Bat Boxes
Bat boxes are simple creations that provide bats with shelter so they can roost in peace.
Sure, you won’t be completely getting rid of them, per se, but they will move from your home to the bat box once they figure out it’s safer.
There are many DIY methods of creating a bat box online so be sure to check them out!
One-Way Exclusion Devices
If you’re unable to seal an entry point (such as a hanging drain pipe), you might want to install a one-way exclusion device on the exit so the bats can escape but are prevented from returning. Once they figure out their previous entry point is blocked, they’ll leave.
Figures show that this method of bat removal is the most effective. They’re easily found in various supermarkets and pest stores.
Pest Removal Service
Ultimately, if nothing works, all you’re left with are pest removal services. These aren’t too expensive but don’t come cheap either.
You’ll have to save up some money if you want to get them to clear out your home. It’s also the safest option, for you at least, because you won’t be exposed to the bats.
Bat-Proofing
What good is removal if you don’t have a permanent solution? It’s time for the final part of this article – bat-proofing your house.
Basically, all you have to do are simple tasks that should be incredibly quick and simple to do. As soon as you get rid of the bats, you’ll have to do the following:
- Seal Entry Points – Now that you’ve understood how bats can enter your home, it’s time you learn how to stop them from entering. Of course, we’re talking about sealing any potential entry points. Apply new plaster, mortar, or shingles, install the before-mentioned exclusion devices, and fix any holes or cracks.
- Clean Up – Bat guano stays even if the bats are gone. Luckily, bat guano usually dries up pretty quickly so you’ll have an easy time just vacuuming any of the remains. After you’re done, scrub the room with an enzyme-based solution for cleaning. Remember to wear eye protection, thick rubber gloves, and a respirator to filter out the air.
NOTE: The cleaning up process is best left to professionals. - Perform Routine Checks – Don’t wait for the next infestation to happen – check your rooms on a constant basis. This way, you might catch the bats during the beginning of their infestation, and you’ll be able to clean any new mess that might have occured.
