Removing bats from your house can be challenging, and you want to do so safely. You also want to remove them ethically since many bat species are protected by law. It can be difficult, so you’ll need to research beforehand.
Everything you need to know is below! We gathered all the best, ethical, expert techniques to remove the bats from your house. Let’s jump in.
1. Block off the Bat Entry Points
You must block off the entry points no matter what you plan on doing to remove the bats. Bats don’t need much space to break in, so you must ensure your home is secure. They can get inside with as much as a gap as big as the diameter of a dime.
There are a few ways to identify bat entry points. First, there will be greasy brown marks around the holes. These streaks come from the bats coming and going; they consist of feces, urine, and oils from the bats.
The most common places bats get in include attics, vents, eaves, siding, and windows. You’ll want to check that these areas are sealed well.
Once you’ve found where the bats are coming in, you’ll need to block off the entry points. You can use netting that allows the bats to leave but not return. That way, they won’t get trapped inside and die or be separated from their young.
Using these exclusion devices is best as they ethically remove the bats. Many bat species are protected, so if you harm them, there will be hefty fines. These species are threatened or are good for the environment.
Lastly, ensure you wait for the right time to block off the entry points. Most bats are active during the warm months, so don’t remove them until the fall or winter. Doing so ensures that you aren’t separating the parents from their young. Then, make sure to put up the barricades at night when the bats are outside, just in case.
2. Install Bats Houses on Your Property
Next, install bat houses nearby. The bats will likely move there since it provides them a safe place to roost. They might leave your home voluntarily if you do. The bats will stick around and continue eating the insects, keeping pest populations low.
Did you know that bats eat enough pests to save one billion dollars in yearly pesticide expenses? Some of the pests they eat include mosquitoes, beetles, and crickets. So, if you have a garden, you’ll want to ensure that you let bats live on your property.
Bats also pollinate local plants, fertilize the soil, and distribute seeds. So, they’re essential to have around.
3. Consult a Professional Bat Remover
There are professional bat removers that can help you manage a bat infestation. You’ll want to contact a bat removal service in Ohio for the best results. These experts understand the local bat regulations and can follow them accordingly.
They also have access to tools and safety equipment you might have yet to get. Bats can carry diseases, so they can be dangerous to remove without proper protection and experience.
The professionals know exactly what to do to exclude the bats safely. These pros also have access to special licenses to handle the bats you don’t.
Once the bats are gone, they’ll remove the bacteria from your insulation so it can be replaced safely.
Overall, professional bat removers are always necessary when you’re dealing with an infestation.
4. Install the Proper Covers
Next, you can install vent covers and chimney caps to prevent the bats from coming in through those avenues. Chimneys are one of the most common ways that bats come inside. They also can roost in the chimneys.
When they do, their waste builds up on the roof, then runs off when it rains. It has a musty smell, and is harmful for people to make contact with.
Installing covers on these entrances keeps the bats out. It’s essential when you have bats in your area because if they get in, they could make their way into the main area of your home. It’s confusing for bats, and they’ll panic. You’ll want to avoid them because they can cary a wide range of diseases. You’ll want to wear protective gloves, if they get inside, to prevent a bite or scratch.
The professionals also use covers frequently to stop bats from reentering.
5. Clean the Area
Bats have a strong nose and use the scent of their urine and feces to find their way back inside. You’ll want to wait until they’re not there, then put on protective clothing and a mask, and clean the entrances.
When you use cleaners to disinfect the area, it also removes the scents that the bats use to locate the entry points. They’ll have a harder time finding their way back inside. The more you clean, the less likely they are to return.
6. Set Up for Long-Term Bat Removal
Finally, once you’ve removed the bats, you’ll want to set up so they don’t return. Maintain the seals and covers you’ve installed. Then, ask the professionals what steps you should take to maintain the work that they’ve done.
Once the bats are gone, they can always come back, so it’s essential that you keep up on maintenance for the long-term. They may remember where they got in before and will try to break through the seals you’ve installed. You’ll probably need to reseal those areas often over time.
Home Invaders Beware!
If you use these bat removal tips, you’re sure to scare off those home invaders in no time at all. You can encourage the bats to leave and live in bat houses and prevent them from coming back by blocking off the entry point they were using.
These are the methods that the professionals use to remove bats humanely from homes. If you copy these steps, you’re sure to see results, too!