Why will you need to know how to bat proof your house? Bats are a much-needed species that are part of our ecosystem due to their role in the ecosystem by sometimes eating insects and pollination.
However, when they find their way into your homes, they can become a problem and even pose potential health risks.
We will discuss the different types of bats, the dangers they pose, how they get into houses, signs of their presence, diseases associated with them, and most importantly, how to bat-proof your house to keep them out.
What Type of Animal is a Bat?
Bats are mammals belonging to the Chiroptera order. They stand out for their forelimbs that have evolved into wings, allowing them to be the only mammals that can naturally fly for long periods.
Bats are more agile in the air compared to birds, using their long, outstretched digits covered by a thin skin membrane, known as a patagium, to fly.
Their ability to fly comes from their wings, which consist of a thin skin membrane stretched between their elongated fingers.
Are Bats Dangerous?
Bats are not dangerous to people, but they can be risky in certain situations. One big concern is the chance of getting diseases like rabies from them. Even though most bats don’t have rabies, you need to avoid touching them just in case.
Another issue is their poop, called guano, if it builds up in places like attics it causes a lung disease called histoplasmosis when the fungal spores in the guano are breathed in.
If bats get into your living area, you have to deal with the situation carefully to stay safe and avoid health problems.
Read also: Do Bats Hibernate? A Detailed Insight into Bat Hibernation
How Do Bats Get Into the House?
Bats can enter houses through openings like small gaps or openings in the structure. One common entry point they use is gaps in roof tiles or shingles, where they squeeze through damaged or missing sections.
Chimneys are another way they use to enter the house, especially if they are uncapped. Attic vents that are not properly screened or protected can also provide easy access for bats, who do not mind squeezing through tight spaces.
Also, bats can enter through cracks in walls, open windows or doors, and gaps around pipes and wires in exterior walls.
Signs of Bats in the House
Signs of bats in the house can include:
- Noises: You might hear scratching, squeaking, or rustling noises at night from walls, ceilings, or attics if bats are in your house. Bats are active at night, so these sounds are more noticeable at night.
- Guano: Bat droppings, known as guano, accumulate in areas where bats roost. Guano looks like small, elongated pellets and often accumulates in piles.
- Stains: You will notice oily stains they leave on walls or ceilings from their fur as they enter and exit the house.
- Odor: Another telling sign of bats is the strong, musty odor they have especially in areas where they roost or where guano accumulates.
- Visible Bats: In some cases, you will see bats flying in or out of your house, especially at dusk or dawn when they are most active.
How to Bat Proof Your House
- To bat-proof your house, check for any openings like cracks in walls, gaps around pipes, or holes in the roof that bats could use to get in. Seal these openings with caulk, mesh, or other materials.
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Use bat exclusion devices, such as one-way valves or nets, to allow bats to leave your home but prevent them from re-entering.
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To make your home less attractive to bats, reduce the number of insects around your home. Use screens on windows and doors to keep insects out, and also insecticides or natural repellents if you need to.
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Trim trees and bushes near your home to make it less likely for bats to roost there.
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You can put up bat boxes but let it be away from your house to give bats another place to roost.
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If you’re dealing with a big bat infestation or need help with bat-proofing, hire a pest control expert who knows what to do about bats.
Read also: Bumblebee Bat: Facts, Identification & Behavior
Do Bats Have Any Disease?
Yes, bats can carry diseases. One common disease is rabies, which is transmitted through a bite or scratch from an infected bat. Rabies is a serious viral illness that affects the nervous system and can be deadly if not treated quickly.
Bats can also carry other diseases like histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by inhaling fungal spores; and Nipah virus, which can lead to severe respiratory and neurological issues in humans.
Conclusion
Although bats are beneficial animals that help control insects and pollinate plants, when they get into our homes, they can be a problem and can make us sick.
Use the tips in this article, to keep bats out of your house. If you have a lot of bats in your home, it’s best to get help from a professional to remove them safely and effectively.
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