How to Get Rid of Bats Properly
No one wants bats hanging around their home or property. But unlike other pests, there are a few guidelines to follow for how to get rid of bats.
Bats aren’t exactly dangerous, but they certainly aren’t cute and cuddly either. It’s almost guaranteed that if you have a bat problem you want to get rid of it quickly. Luckily, it’s easy to get rid of bats around your home without harming them.
Why Do I Need to Get Rid of Bats?
While bats might not bother you, they can create a serious mess. They will take the fruits from your garden, and leave a strange, pungent odor behind. Bat droppings can contain microbes that can cause respiratory diseases in humans. Their urine can cause your flooring to wear away. Worst case scenario, you could find yourself being bitten by a bat which can lead to a number of potentially deadly diseases.
Familiarize Yourself With Local Laws
When you find yourself with a bat problem, it’s likely that you’re going to want to get rid of them. However, it’s important to be aware of federal and local regulations regarding bats.
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In most states bats are considered protected species, so it is illegal to kill them under any circumstances.
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This due to the fact that bats perform beneficial functions for our environment. They help to control insect populations and maintain an equilibrium with various populations. Some species of bats are also threatened as a result of diseases like white-nose syndrome, and far-reaching habitat loss.
An easy and legal approach is to install a bat house on your property. A bat house will serve as a more desirable refuge for them. You can reap the benefits of having bats on your property – such as a decreased number of insects – without having to worry about them damaging your home or health.
Find and Seal All Entry Points
Once you’ve identified local regulations, you need to act fast to get them out of your home. A bat usually has more than one entry point into your home. You will need to keep a close eye on your house to figure out how they are getting in.
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Bats can make their way into your home through openings as small as a half an inch.
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To seal the opening cover each with a one-way exit valve, a one-way tube, or anti-bird netting. All of these materials are inexpensive, and while they allow the bats to exit the house, they do not provide a way for them to return. Leave the device in place for about three days at a time to make sure all the bats have exited the building.
Consider Home Remedies to Get Rid of Bats
If you’re still having a hard time getting rid of bats it might be time to think about some home remedies. These are inexpensive, and are readily available on the market:
- Mothballs – one of the best solutions to get rid of bats as it will chase them from your home, and keep them from re-entering.
- Phenol – another popular repellent which can be sprayed around your home until the odor is so strong that the bats leave.
- Mylar balloons – a unique treatment they create just enough motion to keep bats away. Hang them near their nest, and bats will be so frightened, and nervous to return.
- Aluminum foil – works in a similar way to balloons they also reflecting light and making strange noises to keep bats away.
- Balsam and eucalyptus oil – these scents also help with managing insect populations, so if they are no insects for them to feed on bats will steer clear too.
- Cinnamon – another popular bat repellent that gives off a scent that bats find offensive, and tend to keep away from.
It is easiest to remove bats at night, but you may need to repeat your actions a few times for them to be effective. Bats may come back several times before they realize your home is no longer a safe haven for them.
Get to Cleaning
Bats are dirty and can carry a number of diseases. You need to make sure you wear proper protective gear like full-sleeved clothing, gloves, and a respirator to make sure you aren’t exposing yourself to their toxic droppings or spores from a disease.
Whatever you do, try not to hurt them. Catching a bat or harming it in some way can cause them to lash out aggressively. This can spell disaster for both you and the bat.
Similarly, you should avoid pesticides or bat poison as these can be toxic and also illegal. Consider calling professional bat control experts if you are having trouble getting rid of bats in your home. They can evaluate your particular situation and devise a personally tailored solution.
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