Do not become roommates with a family of bats!
You either love them or you hate them. Bats are one of those species that are fascinating to some, but extraordinary creepy to many others. If you are the kind of person that does not want bats in your house, there are some simple home remedies that can help accomplish that.
Moth Balls
Bats hate moth balls. Not only will they get the bats to leave your home, but they will also stop them from entering in the future. After you pick some of these up from the store, place them strategically around you home at places that may have bat activity.
Aerosol
Bat aerosol sprays can be found at pet stores. Simply spray the repellent around your home and watch your bat problem disappear.
Holiday Decorations
It may seem weird to put up Christmas decorations in the middle of summer, but bats hate shiny items. Place all of those glitter decorations in the bat infested areas of your home.
Mirrors
Not only do mirrors make your house appear bigger, but they also are great for repelling bats. This is because mirrors will reflect all of the light inside of your home. The bats will not be able to tolerate the excessive brightness and have no other choice but to leave.
Aluminum Foil
This method is extremely inexpensive but has shown to be highly effective. If you hang aluminum foil, the sound and light reflection will disturb the bats.
Cinnamon
Everyone has cinnamon around the house. If you have an existing bat issue, throw some into the bat colony. The bats won’t be able to stand it and will hightail it out of your home.
Water Spraying
Although it may seem like a cruel option, it does not harm the bats at all. Find a longhouse pipe and give them a good spray during the day.
Why You Should Call a Humane Animal Control Service for Bat Problems
Health and Safety Concerns
Why You Should Call a Humane Animal Control Service for Bat Problems
Bats can carry diseases including rabies and histoplasmosis. While most bats aren’t infected with rabies, those that are can transmit it through bites or scratches. Histoplasmosis can spread through bat droppings. Professional animal control services have the proper protective equipment and training to handle bats safely, minimizing health risks to you and your family.
Legal Protections
Many bat species are protected by law. Amateur removal attempts may violate wildlife protection regulations, resulting in fines. Humane animal control specialists understand relevant laws and can ensure bat removal complies with local, state, and federal regulations.
Effective and Complete Removal
Bats can access homes through openings as small as 3/8 of an inch. Professionals can:
- Identify all entry points that might be missed by untrained eyes
- Use exclusion devices that allow bats to exit but not return
- Seal entry points properly after bats have left
- Ensure the entire colony is removed
Prevention of Future Problems
Humane control services don’t just remove the current bat problem—they help prevent future issues by:
- Inspecting your home thoroughly
- Recommending structural repairs
- Sealing potential entry points
- Providing guidance on making your property less attractive to bats
Humane Treatment
Professional services use methods that don’t harm bats, which play crucial roles in ecosystems by consuming insects and pollinating plants. These methods include:
- One-way exclusion devices
- Proper timing to avoid separating mother bats from pups
- Relocation techniques that consider bat welfare
Cost-Effective Solution
While DIY solutions might seem cheaper initially, failed attempts often lead to:
- Property damage from improper removal
- Health costs from potential exposure
- Multiple removal attempts
- Legal fees from improper handling of protected species
Professional service is an investment that addresses the problem correctly the first time.
When Is the Best Time of Year for Bat Removal?
The best time of year for bat removal usually falls between late summer and early spring, when bats are able to leave their roost and exclusion work can be done safely. During this period, wildlife professionals can install one-way exclusion devices that allow bats to exit the structure while preventing them from getting back inside.
Timing matters because bats follow a seasonal lifecycle. In spring and early summer, female bats often gather in attics, soffits, and wall spaces to form maternity colonies. These colonies are where they give birth and raise their pups. Young bats cannot fly for several weeks after they are born, which means they cannot leave the structure on their own.
If bat exclusion is attempted during this time, the adult bats may leave but the young bats can remain trapped inside. That can lead to odor problems, sanitation concerns, and additional wildlife issues within the home. Because of this, professional bat removal companies like Shumaker Animal Control follow seasonal guidelines that protect both the animals and the property.
Even if removal cannot be performed immediately, it is still important to schedule an inspection as soon as you notice signs of bats. A wildlife removal specialist can confirm whether bats are present, locate entry points around the roofline or attic, and determine whether a colony is using the structure.
Once the proper season arrives, professionals can safely remove the bats using exclusion methods and then seal the openings they used to enter the home. This step is critical because bats are known to return to the same roost year after year if the access points are left open.
By addressing the problem at the right time of year and sealing the structure properly, homeowners can resolve a bat issue and help prevent future infestations.
Have an Animal Inside of Your Home That Shouldn’t Be There? Give Us a Call!
Shumaker’s Animal Control has over 25 years of experience in the animal and pest control field. Whatever your problem, we can help remedy the situation and restore your home (or yard) back to normal. Give us a call at (443) 854-8072 or contact us online today to see how we can help you! For more information on household and neighborhood pests and how to protect your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
