Bats are interesting animals that pose some benefits to humans including insect and mosquito control during the summer. However, bats are rarely a welcome guest in anyone’s home. Here are some ways to help keep bats out of your home this fall.

Why do bats want to come inside my home?
Bats hibernate or migrate in colder weather when their food supply of insects and smaller animals drops. They will often choose to hibernate instead of migrating as it requires less energy from them. It also allows them to stay close to the preferred food supply they have located.

To prepare for hibernation bats require a warm, dark space. Unfortunately for many people, an attic is the perfect hibernation spot for a bat as it offers all the benefits of a cave with the added benefit of warmth and shelter from the rain. The bat’s hibernation can last up to six months. It  will usually begin in November and last until March.

Brown bats, in particular, are likely to seek shelter inside a home as they require more heat and protection to grow. They can get both of these from pipes and insulation in your attic.

How to keep bats out of your home

You should start by doing a full investigation of the exterior and interior of your property for any holes even if they are very small. A gap or hole as big as a quarter of an inch is big enough for a bat to get through and needs to be sealed or blocked off.

Gaps in your property
If you find gaps near your windows you can use window screens to block them off. Bats may also easily access your home by coming through your chimney. If you think bats are entering your home via your chimney then you should block it off by using a chimney cap. If there are holes near your electrical wires or plumbing, you can use steel wool. Be sure to investigate all doors on your property and ensure that they all close fully.

If you are blocking access holes and spaces inside and around your property it is extremely important to ensure that you do so during the night and not during the day. As bats seek protection during the day since they are nocturnal, if you block these areas during the day you may block the bats from leaving your house.

Eliminate food and water sources
Bats may be attracted to your property because it offers food and water to them. Eliminating these sources will stop them from coming to your home. If you have watering dishes for pets or birds outside your home, you should change these daily and move these away from the entry points to the home if possible.

Add reflective surfaces
Reflective surfaces such as mirrors can be hung or placed in the corners of your property. As bats are sensitive to light, the light and reflection from the mirrors should be enough to scare bats away from entering your home.

For more information on safely and ethically keeping bats out of your home, call Heritage Wildlife Management.