Bats have to be one of the coolest creatures! They are great for the ecosystem right outside our doors and are generally considered harmless. However, bats can stealthily take up residence in our homes and businesses, leaving bat guano and creating the potential for problems. Here are a few things you should know about bat removal:
- Using Bat Check Valves. Bats can enter a home through a variety of locations, including openings to utility vents and gaps in roof eaves, around windows, and loose-fitting doors, for example. Bat check valves are clear fiberglass window screens that were created to encourage bats not to return to their resting places. These screens allow bats to exit through a small opening, but the entry point is blocked so they cannot get back in at the same location. These can be found at your local hardware store.
- Repelling Bats at Rest. Sometimes bats simply take a rest between feeding periods by landing inside gazebos, carports, or open garages. Although this is typically harmless, they can leave bat guano with each stop which is a cause for concern for some homeowners. In order to discourage the bats from resting here, you can cover beams and eaves with plastic or flash tape so they cannot cling to these areas as well.
- Bat Removal Should Only Be Done at Certain Times of Year. Bats are migratory, which means they will move from one location to another to hibernate and raise their young throughout the year. Because some types of bats are endangered, it is important to only take bat removal steps during an approved season when their young are not at risk.
If you’re interested in learning more about bat removal, you’ll find good information in this article by The Humane Society of the United States.
The bottom line is that bat removal should really be left to the professionals to ensure that they are removed or relocated safely. That’s where we come in at A-1 Wildlife Control! We have more than 30 years of experience helping people with wildlife removal and prevention. Call us today!