Bats are nocturnal mammals that can eat hundreds of insects nightly. Unfortunately, they can be frightening and make a mess if they make a nest in your home or yard.
You can get rid of bats by identifying the type they are and the laws about removing them. Next, you have to find their entry point and determine if there are bat pups in the nest. If you find babies, it’s best to let them learn to fly on their own before sealing the entry points. Then, you can install a one way exit over the entry points, allowing the bats to leave, but not return. Finally, you can clean up the bat mess and seal all possible entry points to keep bats away for good.
With a little effort, you can get rid of bats from your home and yard. Keep reading for a more detailed explanation of how to do it quickly and effectively.
You might also be interested in reading these related articles “How To Get Rid of Snakes Quickly and Permanently” and “How To Remove and Relocate Iguanas“.
Signs of a Bat Infestation
The first step to getting rid of bats is to identify whether or not you have a bat infestation. A bat infestation leaves several signs, including:
- Hearing scratching or rustling noises in your walls or attic at night.
- Bats flying around your house at dusk or dawn.
- Droppings or urine stains in and around your home.
- A musty odor in your attic or other areas of your home.
Noticing these signs over a few days means bats live in or near your home. Taking further steps will help you eliminate them and get your property back.
Research Local Laws About Bat Removal
Before you start the bat removal process, it’s essential to research local laws and regulations about bat removal. In some areas, bats are protected by law, and removing them without a permit can result in fines or other penalties.
Contact your local wildlife agency or animal control office to determine what steps you need to take to legally remove bats from your property. Penalties for harming bats can be harsh, and it’s not worth it to be on the wrong side of the law.
Identify the Type of Bat
There are up to 51 species of bats in the USA. Different bats require specific removal techniques and identifying the bat type will help you create a game plan.
Some bats, such as the big brown bat, can be easily excluded from your home. However, others, such as the endangered Indiana bat, require more specialized removal techniques.
If you’re unsure what type of bat you have, consult with a wildlife expert to determine the best course of action. Use the following chart of the ten most common bats in the USA to help you identify bats on your own:
| Bat Species | Size | Color | Distribution Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Brown Bat | 3.5 to 4.5 inches | Brown | Throughout the United States |
| Big Brown Bat | 4.1 to 5.5 inches | Dark Brown | Throughout the United States |
| Mexican Free-tailed | 3.1 to 4.3 inches | Dark brown to gray | Southwestern United States |
| Eastern Red Bat | 4.5 to 5.5 inches | Reddish-brown or yellowish-brown | Eastern half of the United States |
| Hoary Bat | 4.3 to 5.9 inches | Gray | Throughout the United States |
| Pallid Bat | 3.3 to 4.3 inches | Pale brown or yellowish-brown | Southwestern United States and Mexico |
| Silver-haired Bat | 4 to 5 inches | Dark brown with silver-tipped hairs | Throughout the United States |
| Rafinesque’s Big-eared | 3.1 to 4.7 inches | Gray-brown | Southeastern United States and Texas |
| Eastern Small-footed | 2.9 to 3.6 inches | Grayish-brown with a pink nose | Eastern United States and Canada |
| Townsend’s Big-eared | 3.5 to 4.3 inches | Gray-brown | Western United States and Canada |
Find the Bat Entry Point
The next step in bat removal is to locate the entry point the bats are using to access your home. Bats can enter through small cracks, gaps, or openings in your home’s structure.
Inspect your home’s exterior walls, roof, and attic for signs of entry points. You’re going to need to seal all these holes, but for now, you simply need to map them all out and plan how you can seal them.
The entries the bats use might appear more worn, dirty, or have bat droppings near them. But, sealing all holes, cracks, and gaps will stop bats and other critters from infesting your home.
Determine If There Are Bat Pups
If you discover bats in your home or attic, it’s crucial to determine if bat pups are present. Baby bats can’t fly and depend on their mothers for food.
Removing bats during the pup-rearing season can result in the death of the pups. The pup-rearing season typically lasts from late spring to early fall.
Wait For Bat Pups To Learn To Fly
If you discover bat pups, it’s best to wait until they leave before you start the removal process. The babies cling to the mother bat’s nipples when she leaves to feed at night, but they’ll have nowhere to go and be safe if you seal the entry points while they’re gone.
Once the pups are old enough to fly, they will leave the roost with their mother and can find a new home. They need from four to five weeks to mature and learn to fly on their own.
Waiting for the pups to grow old enough to fly and forage on their own ensures they’ll remain a critical part of the ecosystem. Also, you don’t want dead baby bats rotting in your house!
Install One Way Exits
Once the bats have left your home, it’s time to install one-way exits. They allow the bats to leave your home but prevent them from re-entering.
Place the exits in areas where you’ve seen bats entering and exiting. You can purchase one-way exits online or at your local home improvement store.
You can leave the exits on your home after you’re done with them, or remove them and install another permanent seal. Used bat exclusion devices could be donated to others who need to get rid of bats.
Wait For Bats to Leave
Leave the one-way exits in place for a few days to ensure that all bats have left your home. It’s essential to check the exits regularly to make sure they are working correctly.
Clean Bat Mess
Once you’re sure all the bats have left your home, it’s time to clean up the mess they left behind. Bat droppings and urine can create health hazards and attract other pests.
Wear protective clothing and a mask when cleaning up the mess. It may be difficult to clean bat nests in crawl spaces or attics, but do the best you can.
Permanently Seal Entry
Use caulk, mesh, or other materials to seal any holes or gaps in your home’s structure, not only the entry points. Bats can fit through small openings, so it’s essential to block all potential entry points, including:
- Around plumbing or electrical wires that enter your home
- Crawl spaces
- Roof vents
- Around windows
- Under doors
Sealing your home protects you from multiple pests, not only bats.
Install A Bat House
If you enjoy having bats in your yard and want to provide them with a safe place to roost, consider installing a bat house. A bat house is a shelter designed to mimic the natural habitat of bats.
A bat house will discourage bats from reentering your home. They’re likely to search for a nearby nesting site, and giving them a safe option will help you coexist.
It provides bats with a safe place to roost and helps control insect populations. You can find a bat house online, at your local home improvement store, or make one yourself.
Are Bats Dangerous?
Bats can carry diseases, such as rabies and histoplasmosis, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with their saliva, urine, or feces. However, not all bats carry diseases, and the risk of contracting an illness from a bat is relatively low.
It’s essential to take precautions when handling bats or bat droppings and to contact a professional if you suspect you’ve been exposed to a disease. Some bats can puncture your skin if you handle them incorrectly and they bite.
Overall, bats cause seven to ten rabies deaths per year in the USA. However, bats avoid humans, making the risks from them low.
Are Bats Good For My Yard?
Bats play an essential role in our ecosystem. They help control insect populations, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests, and pollinate plants.
Bats in your yard can provide natural pest control and help maintain a healthy ecosystem. This makes them some of the best critters you can have living in your yard.
What Do Bats Hate the Most?
Bats are sensitive to certain smells and sounds. Some scents that bats dislike include:
- Peppermint
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
You can use essential oils or sprays to repel bats from certain areas of your yard. Bats are also sensitive to high-pitched sounds, which can be used to deter them from entering your home.
Plants To Keep Bats Away
If you want to keep bats away from certain areas of your yard, consider including certain plants that bats dislike in your landscaping.
Some plants that repel bats are:
- Marigolds
- Lemongrass
- Geraniums
These plants have a strong scent that bats find unpleasant. They’ll also make your garden look beautiful.