Oh no, we’ve got a bat in our home! How on earth do we get rid of it?
Seeing bats in your home can be upsetting, to say the least, as they are wild animals and pose potential health hazards.
While they are great for keeping outdoor pests in check, having them indoors can be a hassle.
Don’t panic! Our blog explains how to get bats out of your home and why it’s important.
You’ll also learn how to make your house less inviting to these nocturnal visitors and ensure your space stays bat-free for good.
- Bat Removal: How To Get a Bat out of Your House
Why It’s Difficult To Get Rid of Bats
Removing bats from your home can be challenging for several reasons:
- Active only at night: As nocturnal creatures, bats are active at night and sleep during the day. This does not mean however that bats cannot move around or fly around during the day. It is common for people to hear scratching noises or fluttering noises inside a wall cavity at any time during the day or night.
- Misinformation: There are over 1,000 different species of bats in the world. They all have different tendencies and habits. It’s easy to start researching about local bats and quickly end up learning about another kind of bat that lives in a different region and does not apply to the same kind of bats that are local to you. There is so much information it can be confusing and frustrating!
- Disease transmission: Bats are known to carry diseases, including rabies, making it dangerous for untrained individuals to attempt to remove them without proper safety measures.
- Inaccessible roosting sites: Bats often roost in hard-to-reach areas like attic spaces, eaves, gable vents, and wall cavities. Accessing these tight spaces makes it challenging for homeowners to carry out effective bat removal.
- Expertise required: Correctly identifying the bat species, locating all entry points, and sealing them off requires specific knowledge and training. Most homeowners lack the skills and tools to remove bats effectively and safely.
Understanding these challenges is the first step toward effective bat removal. Now, we’ll explore the different methods you can use to safely remove bats from your home, ensuring your safety and theirs.
Key Takeaway
To safely remove bats from your home, you can try to guide them back to their natural habitat using an exclusion process, sealing entry points, and using bright lights.
It is usually best to seek advice from a professional bat removal service for the well-being of your health, home, and the bats themselves.
Effective Bat Removal Tips
As daunting as bat removal may seem, you can use several safe and humane methods to try to remove these nocturnal visitors from your home effectively.
One-Way Exclusion Devices
Once you have identified the bats’ entry points, you can install one-way devices or exclusion tubes. These clever contraptions allow the bats to exit their roosting area while ensuring they cannot return. Strategically placed at the bats’ entry points, these devices are effective in safely removing bats from the premises.
Use Bright Lights
People have tried to use bright lights to deter bats. Inside an attic space this is ineffective because really bats prefer to tuck down into the wall cavities. The wall cavities are a cave like environment for them. The lights will not disturb them there. Lights can sometimes help in a situation where bats roost on the porch in the middle of the night. Sometimes it can deter them… Sometimes it does not bother them at all.
Seal All Potential Entry Points
Bats can enter holes the size of your pinky finger. Professional Bat Removers are trained to find and secure these holes. They are also trained to detect whether or not these locations are active entry points. If it is, a bat will be coming back to this location to exit the home. If it gets sealed and they do not have a way out, the bat gets distressed and could accidentally end up inside the living room or bedroom, or even perish.
Professional Bat Removal Services
While DIY methods may work in some cases, hiring a trusted bat removal service like the Bat Specialists of Oklahoma is usually advisable. They are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to safely remove bats, eliminate potential risks, and safeguard your home from further infestation.
Safety Considerations When Removing Bats
Safety should be a paramount concern when dealing with bats due to the following reasons:
- Risk of disease: Bats are known carriers of diseases like rabies and histoplasmosis. Rabies is a severe, often fatal, viral disease that affects the central nervous system, while histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by fungal spores found in bat droppings. The disease can be severe, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
- Bites and scratches: Bats have sharp teeth and claws that can cause serious injury. Even a minor bite or scratch can lead to an infection if not promptly and properly treated.
- Aggressive behavior: While bats are generally not aggressive, they can become defensive if they feel threatened. This is particularly true for mother bats protecting their young.
- Allergic reactions: Some people may experience allergic reactions to bat guano (bat droppings) or bat dander, which can lead to respiratory issues.
- Property damage: Bats can cause extensive damage to your property. Their droppings and urine not only stain and corrode surfaces but can also lead to unpleasant and strong smells.
If you have direct contact with a bat, it is crucial to immediately seek medical attention as a safety precaution to assess any potential health risks, such as rabies exposure.
Considering there are so many risks, seeking professional bat control when dealing with bat infestations is strongly recommended to ensure a safe and effective removal process.
Bat Removal Near Me
Attempting to remove bats yourself can be risky and may not guarantee success.
Professional bat removal services possess the expertise to accurately assess the situation, develop a customized plan, and provide a lasting solution.
If you have a bat problem and need help, act now!
Contact the Bat Specialists LLC for expert assistance with humane bat removal and prevention services.
Our highly trained team with over 34 years of experience is dedicated to providing effective and humane solutions to help you deal with bat infestations.
Don’t let bats disrupt your peace of mind, reach out to us today, and let us help you protect your health and home.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost To Remove Bats?
Bat removal costs can vary based on factors like infestation severity, home location, and the exclusion method used. Generally, prices range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
How Long Can a Bat Live in Your House?
Bats can live up to 30 and 40 years. Once they start using your home, they leave a pheromone scent behind which other bats, including secondary generations can also detect and then start using. The only way to successfully get bats to exit a home is by the process called exclusion.
Is It Illegal To Kill a Bat in Oklahoma?
There are 23 different species of bats in Oklahoma and there are some that are federally protected. A lot of bats look very similar though, so it is safer and more humane to not kill bats, but rather safely “exclude” them from your home.
Does Home Insurance Cover Bat Removal?
It depends on your home insurance policy terms. Generally, home insurance doesn’t cover bat removal if it’s considered neglect or lack of maintenance. You should check with your insurance providers for specifics on wildlife removal policies, including bats.
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