How to Safely Remove Bats From Your Home

If you've discovered bats roosting in your home, you're not alone. Bats are common invaders, often seeking shelter in attics, chimneys, and garages. While they play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, their presence in your home can be unsettling and potentially hazardous due to their droppings and the risk of diseases like histoplasmosis. This guide will walk you through the process of safely and humanely removing bats from your home.

Before we dive into the details, it's essential to understand that bats are protected by law in many places. The best time to remove bats is between October and April when bats are hibernating. During the spring and summer, mother bats carry their young, making eviction difficult and potentially lethal for the pups. Always check your local regulations and consider hiring a professional if you're unsure about the process.

Understanding Bat Behavior and Habits

Bats are nocturnal creatures, meaning they're most active at night. They use echolocation to navigate and find food, and they prefer to roost in dark, enclosed spaces. Understanding their behavior can help you anticipate their movements and time your exclusion activities accordingly.

Bats usually return to the same roost daily, but they may explore other potential sites. They typically use the same entrance points repeatedly, making it easier to locate their entry and exit points.

Preparing for Bat Exclusion

Before starting the exclusion process, it's vital to gather the necessary equipment and prepare your home to prevent bat re-entry.

Gather Your Equipment

You'll need the following items for bat exclusion:

• Heavy-duty work gloves
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Phenolic disinfectant or household bleach
• Rubber or silicone sealant
• Hardware cloth (1/4-inch or 1/2-inch mesh)
• Unpainted, galvanized or stainless steel wire

Additionally, consider wearing a full-body Tyvek suit and safety glasses for added protection.

Prepare Your Home

Seal any bat-friendly entry points NOT currently in use to prevent new bats from taking up residence. Exclude bats using one-wayexclude devices during the winter months when bats can't return.

Inspect your home's exterior carefully, looking for gaps, cracks, or holes. Common bat entry points include:

• Roof vents
• Gable vents
• Brick or stone cavities
• Eaves and soffits
• Roof flashes
• Wood shingles or siding with gaps

Once you've located all entry points, seal them temporarily with hardware cloth or foam to prevent bats from exiting during eviction.

Excluding Bats from Your Home

Now that you've prepared your home and gathered the necessary equipment, it's time to exclude bats safely and humanely.

Install One-Way Exclude Devices

One-way exclude devices, such as tubes or funnels, allow bats to exit but prevent them from re-entering. Install these devices over the primary entry points bats are using. Make sure to position them so that bats can easily crawl out, but cannot turn around and come back inside.

Once the bats have exited, carefully remove both the exclusion devices and your temporary sealants. This process may take several nights, so be patient and monitor the activity closely.

Clean and Disinfect the Bat-Roosting Area

After the bats have vacated the premises, thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected areas. Bats' droppings, also known as guano, can harbor diseases and cause extensive damage to your home's structure. Use a phenolic disinfectant or a mixture of one part household bleach to nine parts water to kill any remaining bacteria and fungi.

Wear protective clothing, including a respirator, when handling bat droppings, and wet them down before disposing of them in a sealed plastic bag. Avoid using vacuums, as they can disperse dust and increase the risk of disease exposure.

If the bat-roosting site is extensive or located in hard-to-reach areas, consider hiring a professional wildlife removal service to ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Prevent Future Bat Invasions

To prevent bats from re-entering your home, ensure all entry points are permanently sealed using rubber or silicone sealant. Consider installing screens or울 Door protectors on chimneys and roof vents to prevent bats from accessing your home through those areas.

Encourage bats to live nearby by providing them with alternative roosting sites, such as bat houses. This can help control insect populations and reduces the likelihood of bats colonizing your home again.

Regularly inspect your home's exterior for any new gaps, cracks, or holes that may have formed due to weathering or structural changes. Promptly seal any newly discovered entry points to maintain a bat-free home.

What to Do if You Find a Bat in Your House

Bats that find their way inside your living space are usually just as eager to escape as you are to have them gone. Here's how to safely remove a bat from your home:

Stay Calm and Quiet

Bats are less likely to fly erratically or panic if you remain calm and move slowly. Speak softly and avoid making sudden movements that could startle the bat.

Avoid touching the bat with your bare hands, as bats carry diseases that can be transmitted through bites or scratches. Instead, wear heavy-duty work gloves and gently guide the bat towards an open window or door.

Contain and Release

If you can't coax the bat out of the room, carefully place a large, open-ended container, such as a box or trash can, over the bat. Gently slide a sturdy piece of cardboard between the bat and the wall, floor, or ceiling to trap it inside the container.

Once the bat is contained, carefully transport it outside and release it in a nearby tree or on a rooftop, ensuring it has no barriers to flight. Do not attempt to relocate the bat to another part of your property, as bats have a strong homing instinct and may return.

If you suspect a bat has bitten you or someone else, seek immediate medical attention and report the incident to your local health department.

Removing bats from your home requires patience, care, and attention to detail. By understanding bat behavior, preparing your home, and following safe exclusion practices, you can successfully evict bats and prevent future invasions. Should you encounter any difficulties or have concerns about local regulations, don't hesitate to consult a professional wildlife removal service for assistance.