You hear a strange scratching sound in your attic. Or you see a small, dark animal fly out of your chimney at night. You might feel scared. Finding bats in your home can be a scary time. This makes many people ask, how to get rid of bats? It is a big question. You want your home to be safe and free of pests. The good news is you can fix this problem in a safe and kind way.
This guide gives you a full plan to get rid of bats from your home for good. We will focus on the best and kindest way: exclusion. We will also cover why bats might be in your home. We will also talk about safety and law rules you need to know. By the end, you will have a clear idea of what to do. You will be ready to make your home a bat-free space. You will also respect these key animals.
More in Home & Garden Category
How Much Does It Cost to Get Windows Tinted
Why Do You Have Bats in Your Home in the First Place?
Before you get rid of bats, it helps to know why they picked your home. Bats are not trying to scare you. They are just looking for a safe place to live. Your home can give them the perfect home away from bad weather and other animals.
Knowing what bats are looking for is the first step. It helps you see your home from their view.
What Are Bats Looking for When They Enter a Home?
Bats are looking for a few key things. They want a place that is:
- Dark and Quiet: Attics, walls, and chimneys are perfect spots. They are dark and not bothered.
- Stable Temperature: Bats need a place where the heat does not change too much. Your warm attic is often a great spot.
- Safe from Predators: Your home is a great fort against owls, hawks, and other animals that hunt bats.
- A Place to Raise Young: In the summer, female bats look for a warm, safe place to have their babies. This is called a maternity colony.
Are Bats Dangerous to Have in Your House?
Bats are not mean. But having a group of them in your home can have some health risks.
The biggest worry is their droppings, called guano. A large pile of guano can grow a fungus. If you breathe in the dust from this fungus, you can get a lung sickness called histoplasmosis.
There is also a very small risk of rabies. It is very rare for a bat to have rabies. But you should never touch a bat with your bare hands.
How to Get Rid of Bats and What are the common signs of a bat infestation?
You might not always see the bats. Here are some common signs that you have a bat group:
- Droppings (Guano): You might find small, black droppings in your attic. You might also find them on the ground outside your home, under the spot where they get in.
- Stains: Bats can leave oily stains from their fur near where they go in and out.
- Noises: You might hear scratching, squeaking, or crawling sounds in your walls or ceiling. This is often at dusk and dawn.
- Smell: A large bat group can make a strong, bad smell like ammonia.
Is It Legal to Get Rid of Bats Yourself?
This is a very key question. Before you do anything, you need to know the laws where you live. Bats are a protected animal in many states. This is because they are very key for our world.
Trying to get rid of bats in the wrong way or at the wrong time can lead to big fines. It is your job to follow the law.
Why Are Bats a Protected Species in Many Areas?
Bats are great animals. They play a huge role in our world. One bat can eat thousands of bugs, like mosquitoes, every night. They are a natural form of pest control.
Because they are so key, and because some bat groups are getting smaller, many states have laws to protect them. These laws are there to make sure that we do not harm these helpful animals.
What Are Maternity Seasons and Why Are They Important?
This is the most key rule to know. The “maternity season” is the time in the summer when female bats have their babies, called pups. The exact dates can change by state. But it is often from May to August.
At this time, it is against the law in most places to take bats out of a building. This is because the baby bats cannot fly yet. If you block the mother bats from getting back in, the babies will be stuck inside and will die. This is not only mean, but it can also cause a bad smell in your home.
Should you check your local state laws before you act?
Yes, you must. Before you try any way to get them out, you should check with your state’s wildlife group.
They can tell you the exact dates of the maternity season where you live. They can also give you a list of good and kind wildlife control pros.
How to Get Rid of Bats: The Humane Exclusion Method
The only way that works well and is kind to get rid of a bat group is through a process called “exclusion.” This way does not harm the bats at all. It just lets them leave your home and then stops them from getting back in.
This is the way that is suggested by all wildlife experts. It is the best way for bat removal. This is the real answer to how to get rid of bats.
What is a One-Way Exclusion Device and How Does It Work?
A one-way exclusion device is a special tool. It lets bats crawl out of a hole but not back in. It is like a one-way door just for bats.
These tools can be made from a few different things. You can buy them online. Or you can even make a simple one yourself. They are often a piece of net or a plastic tube that is put over the bats’ main exit spot.
How to Get Rid of Bats by Finding All Their Entry Points?
This is a very key step. You have to check your whole home. You have to find every single hole that is a quarter-inch or bigger. Bats can get through very small spaces.
- Look High and Low: Check your roof line, your chimney, your siding, and your home’s base.
- Look for the Signs: Look for the clear signs of guano or stains near any holes.
- Watch at Dusk: A great way to find their main exit is to watch your house at dusk. You will see them all fly out of the same hole.
How to Get Rid of Bats by Installing a Bat Exclusion Device?
Once you have found the main exit hole, you can put in your one-way device.
- Seal All Other Holes: First, you must seal every other small crack and hole you found. Use caulk, sealant, or steel wool. The only hole you should leave open is the main one the bats are using.
- Install the Device: Place your one-way door over the main exit. Make sure it is on well. The bats will be able to crawl out. But when they try to come back, they will not be able to get back in.
How Long Should You Leave the Exclusion Device in Place?
You should leave the one-way door in place for at least a week. This will give all the bats in the group a chance to leave. It is key to do this when the weather is good. If it is too cold or rainy, the bats might not leave every night.
Remember, you must not do this during the maternity season.
What Are the Steps After the Bats Are Gone?
Getting the bats out is a big win. But the job is not done yet. You have to take a few final steps. You have to make sure your home is safe and that they do not come back.
These final steps are all about cleaning up and sealing up for good.
How to Get Rid of Bats and Safely Clean Up Bat Guano?
Cleaning up bat guano can be unsafe. This is because of the risk of histoplasmosis. You must take safety steps.
- Wear Gear: Wear a good mask (an N95 mask is good), gloves, and old clothes.
- Spray It Down: Lightly spray the guano with a mix of water and bleach. This will keep the dust from flying in the air.
- Scoop It Up: Scoop the wet guano into a strong plastic bag and seal it.
- Disinfect: After you have taken out all the guano, clean the whole area with the bleach mix.
How to Get Rid of Bats by Permanently Sealing All Entry Points?
After you are sure all the bats are gone, you can take off the one-way door. Then, you must seal that last hole for good.
Use strong things that bats cannot chew through. This can be metal flashing or a strong sealant. This is a very key step. If you leave any holes, they might just come back next year.
How Can You Make Your Property Less Attractive to Bats?
One great way to keep bats out of your house is to give them a better place to live. You can put up a “bat house” in your yard. A bat house is a small wooden box that is made to be the perfect home for bats.
By giving them their own house, you can still get all the good things of having them around. They eat mosquitoes. But you will not have them in your home.
What Methods for Bat Removal Should You Avoid?
There are a lot of bad ideas about getting rid of bats. Many of these ways do not work. They can also be against the law and mean.
It is very key to know what not to do.
Why are traps and poisons a bad and often illegal idea?
You should never try to trap bats. Trapping a whole group is very hard. It can also be very stressful and bad for the bats.
Using poison is an even worse idea. It is against the law to poison bats in most places. It is also a bad way to deal with the problem. The poisoned bats will likely die inside your walls or attic. This will make a bad smell and a health risk.
Why don’t ultrasonic repellents and mothballs work?
You might see things online that say they keep bats away with high sounds or strong smells like mothballs. These things do not work.
Studies have shown that these things are not good at getting a bat group to leave a home. Do not waste your money on them. For more on this, you can look at school resources, like this guide on bat pest management from the University of California.
Why should you never try to handle a bat with your bare hands?
This is a very key safety rule. It is rare for a bat to have rabies. But it can happen. You should never touch a bat with your bare hands.
If you find a single bat in your living space, the best thing to do is to open a window. Turn off the lights. Let it find its own way out. If it will not leave, call your local animal control for help.
When Should You Call a Professional for Bat Removal?
Doing a bat exclusion yourself can be a big job. It can also be unsafe if you are not comfy working on ladders or on your roof. For many people, hiring a pro is the best and safest choice.
A pro will have the right tools and the knowledge to do the job right.
How do you know if the problem is too big to handle yourself?
If you have a very large group of bats, it is likely a job for a pro. A large group can make a lot of guano. This can be a big health risk to clean up.
Also, if you cannot safely get to all the parts of your roof and siding to find the entry spots, you should call a pro.
How do you find a reputable and humane wildlife control company?
Look for a company that does kind wildlife removal. Ask them about their process. They should tell you that they use one-way exclusion devices.
Do not use any company that says they will use traps or poisons. You can ask your state’s wildlife group for a list of good companies.
What can you expect a professional service to do?
A pro service will often:
- Do a full check of your home to find all the entry spots.
- Put in one-way exclusion devices.
- Come back after a week to take off the devices and seal the holes for good.
- Offer a service to clean up the guano safely.
What is the Final Verdict on How to Get Rid of Bats?
So, how to get rid of bats? The final answer is to use the kind and good method of exclusion. It is the only way to fix the problem for good without harming these key animals.
It is a process that takes a little bit of time. But it is well worth the work.
What is the Most Important Thing to Remember?
The most key thing to remember is to know about the maternity season. Never try to get bats out during the summer when babies might be there. Always check your local laws.
Is It Possible to Get Rid of Bats on Your Own?
Yes, it is possible for a handy homeowner to do it themselves. But if you have any doubts, calling a pro is the smartest choice.
What is the Final Takeaway on How to Get Rid of Bats?
The final takeaway is that you can fix your bat problem in a kind and good way. The question of how to get rid of bats is a reminder that we can live with wildlife. We just need to set some healthy lines.
FAQ – How to Get Rid of Bats
What is the most humane and effective method for removing bats from my home?
The best method is exclusion using a one-way device that allows bats to exit without being able to re-enter, combined with sealing all other entry points and cleaning up guano safely, usually performed by a professional.
What is the legal approach to bat removal, and why must I check local laws?
Many states protect bats due to their ecological importance; illegal removal methods like trapping or poisoning can result in fines, especially during maternity season, which is why checking local wildlife laws is essential before taking action.
How can I identify a bat infestation in my home?
Signs include finding small, black bat droppings, oily stains near entry points, noises like scratching or squeaking in walls or ceilings, and a strong, ammonia-like odor indicating a large bat colony.
Why do bats choose to enter homes and what are they seeking?
Bats enter homes looking for dark, quiet, and stable environments that provide safety from predators, suitable temperatures, and a place to raise their young, often in attics, walls, or chimneys.
Are bats dangerous to humans, and what health risks do they pose?
Bats are generally not aggressive, but their droppings can harbor fungi leading to histoplasmosis, and there is a very small risk of rabies; thus, direct contact should be avoided.
