How to Get Rid of Bats and Save Your Sanity
It's never a good feeling to have an unwanted critter under your roof. Looking for tips on how to get rid of snakes, how to get rid of house flies, or how to get rid of roaches can leave you feeling unsettled and with a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. There's no mistaking that scratching sound coming from the attic that alerts you to an intruder, and it's best to act quickly to get rid of the problem before it gets worse. If you discover you're sharing your home with bats, there are a few important things to keep in mind before getting them out of your house. Several species of bats are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, which means it is unlawful to kill them. But that doesn't mean you have to welcome them into your home! Also, bats are very valuable to the environment. They act as pollinators and seed spreaders and eat thousands of pesky bugs like mosquitoes in a single day, so we want to keep them around, but not under our roof. Bats can carry diseases like rabies, and their droppings, called guano, can cause respiratory problems for the home's human inhabitants. So how do you get rid of bats without killing them?
Try a Bat Removal Device or Repellent
A bat excluder works great if you know where the bats are getting in. The cone- or tube-shaped device covers the hole and simply creates a one-way route for the bats to exit your home. When they leave at night, they won't be able to get back in. Problem solved!
Of course, because bats can fit through tiny spaces, it's not always easy to find out how they're getting in. If that's the case, try installing a bat alarm that emits a sound that's unpleasant to bats and causes them to flee the area. Or try a product like Bat Magic. Bat Magic comes in tea bag-like scent packs and contains peppermint and spearmint oils. At less than $10, it's worth tossing a few in your attic to see if it helps.
Seal Up Any Holes
Once you're sure the bats have left the building, it's time to seal up any holes or cracks with caulk. Remember, bats can fit through holes as small as 1/2 inch, so you'll have to be diligent to ensure your winged friends don't return.
Clean Up the Mess
Before attempting any cleanup, first put on safety equipment. You'll want to wear protective gloves, a mask, and clothes that are easy to clean or that you don't mind tossing when you're finished. First dampen any droppings to make sure the spores don't get in to the air, then collect any loose droppings and dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag. Disinfect the area, discard any contaminated insulation, and replace any damaged wood.
When in Doubt, Call a Professional
If this process sounds like more than you're willing to undertake on your own or you are living with a colony of bats rather than one or two, call a professional. Removing bats from your home is not an easy process, and, as with all pest control problems, it may be worth getting a professional involved to do the dirty work.
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