Eliminate Bats: Step-by-Step Guide to Keep Outside

Bats, often perceived as fearsome creatures by many, are essential to our ecosystem. They feed on insects, pollinate plants, and control pests, but sometimes they choose your home as their habitat. Bats are beneficial when outside; however, they shouldn't reside inside your house. Here's how to humanely get rid of bats outside your home.

Bats may enter through small gaps and cracks in your roof, attic, or chimney. Understanding how to seal these entry points is key to preventing future infestations. The first step is to identify potential entry points. Bats are small; they can squeeze through gaps as narrow as 1/4 inch – roughly the width of a pencil. Pay close attention to your home's exterior, looking for holes or cracks around vents, eaves, and chimneys.

Sealing Entry Points

Once you've located potential entry points, seal them using materials that are flexible and durable, as bats can chew through soft materials and expand as their young mature. Common materials used for bat-proofing include:

• Galvanized steel mesh
• Concrete repair caulk
• Steel wool

When sealing, ensure you have excluded the bats first, as traps and poisons are inhumane and illegal in many places. The best time to seal entry points is after August, as this is when young bats become capable of flying and leaving the roost.

Identifying Active Exits

Bats exit during dusk to feed, so watch for any activity at potential entry sites during this time. If bats are exiting, they need to have a way back in. Install one-way exclusion devices, such as exclusion netting or chaff, that allow bats to exit but not re-enter.

These devices are placed over the entry point and secured in place. As bats exit, they can pass through but cannot return once they've left. Once the exclusion device is in place and all bats have left, remove the device and permanently seal the entry point.

Cleaning Up After Bat Removal

After successfully excluding bats from your home, clean up any guano (bat droppings) and urine stains. Guano can carry diseases like histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by inhaling spores, so it's crucial to handle it safely. Wear old clothes, gloves, a face mask, and eye protection when cleaning.

Use a mixture of water and bleach (1:1 ratio) to spray down the affected area, then use a shovel or a wet/dry vacuum to remove the guano. Dispose of the waste in sealed plastic bags in your regular trash. If the area is large or you suspect there may be contaminated materials present, consult a professional cleaning service.

Preventing Future Bat Infestations

Once bats have been excluded from your home, take steps to prevent re-infestation. Cut back tree branches that overhang your roof, repair damaged roofing, and ensure your chimney has a secure cap. Regularly monitor your home's exterior for new cracks or gaps, and repair them promptly.

Installing Bat Houses

If you want bats around your property but not in your home, install bat houses. Bat houses provide an alternative roosting site for bats, attracting them away from your home. To create a suitable bat house, follow these guidelines:

• Use untreated wood, such as cedar or pine, and minimize the use of paint and screws
• Create multiple chambers (at least three) with an interior width of around 20 inches
• Install the bat house at least 15-20 feet above the ground, on a pole or a building
• Point the entrance towards an open space, not against a wall or fence

Bat houses can take time to be accepted by bats. Be patient, and consider installing more than one to increase your chances of attracting bats to them.

Remember, bats are nocturnal creatures, playing a crucial role in our ecosystem. Humane bat exclusion and prevention methods ensure they stay outside where they belong, helping control insect populations in your yard. Keep your home bat-free and enjoy the benefits of these winged marvels from a safe distance.