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Bats in Your Attic: Fascinating Facts and What NOT to Do If You Find Them in Your Home

Discovering bats in your attic can be unsettling for many homeowners. These creatures, often associated with dark caves or spooky Halloween nights, might not seem like ideal housemates. However, bats are fascinating and play a vital role in ecosystems, especially when it comes to controlling insect populations. In this article, we’ll explore some interesting facts about bats and guide you on what not to do if you find them in your attic.

Bats: The Facts You Didn’t Know

1. Natural Pest Control Experts One of the best reasons to appreciate bats is their voracious appetite for insects. A single bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes and other pesky insects in just one hour. Over the course of a night, a colony of bats can rid your yard of a significant number of pests. In fact, bats are responsible for saving billions of dollars in agricultural costs by reducing the need for pesticides.

2. They’re Pollinators, Too While many bats feed on insects, some species also act as important pollinators. In tropical and desert environments, bats pollinate plants like agave (which is used to make tequila!) and many fruit-bearing trees. Without bats, entire ecosystems could be disrupted.

3. Bats Are Not Blind Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. While they do rely heavily on echolocation to navigate in the dark, many species have excellent night vision, and some can even see better than humans in low-light conditions.

4. Bats Are Surprisingly Social Bats are social animals that form large colonies, sometimes numbering in the thousands. They communicate with each other through a range of vocalizations, including ultrasonic sounds that are too high-pitched for humans to hear. Their colonies provide warmth, protection, and a social structure that is crucial for their survival.

5. Long Lifespans for Small Creatures Despite their small size, bats can live surprisingly long lives. Some species can live over 30 years in the wild. Their slow reproduction rate (usually one pup per year) makes their longevity all the more crucial for maintaining healthy populations.

What NOT to Do If You Find Bats in Your Attic

Finding bats in your home, especially in the attic, can be an alarming experience. But before you panic and reach for a broom or pest control service, here are several things you should not do:

1. Do NOT Try to Remove Them Yourself Bats can carry diseases such as rabies, though the likelihood of encountering a rabid bat is low. Nevertheless, direct contact is never advised. Attempting to catch or remove a bat by hand is dangerous both for you and the bat. Bats are delicate creatures, and mishandling them can result in injury to the animal or a potential bite to you.

2. Do NOT Seal Off Their Exit One of the worst mistakes you can make is sealing off entry and exit points while bats are inside. Bats are nocturnal and leave the attic at night to feed. Sealing them inside without giving them a way out can lead to bats getting trapped, which will create a bigger problem—dead bats in your attic. Instead, a process called “exclusion” should be used, where bats are allowed to exit but prevented from re-entering.

3. Do NOT Use Poison Poison is never the answer when dealing with bats. It’s illegal in many areas, ineffective, and inhumane. Not only does it lead to a slow and painful death for the bats, but you’ll also end up with decomposing bodies in your attic. The smell of dead bats can attract other pests and create an unbearable odor in your home.

4. Do NOT Disturb a Bat Colony in Maternity Season Bat colonies are especially sensitive during maternity season (typically from late spring to early summer). During this time, female bats give birth and raise their pups. Disturbing a colony during this period could result in orphaned pups that cannot survive on their own. Always consult with a wildlife expert before taking any action.

5. Do NOT Ignore the Problem While bats are beneficial creatures, you don’t want them living in your attic long-term. Bat droppings (guano) can accumulate, causing health hazards. Guano can harbor the fungus that causes histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection that can be dangerous to humans. Over time, bat urine and droppings can also damage insulation and create strong odors.

What You Should Do Instead

1. Call a Professional Wildlife Removal Service The best course of action is to contact a licensed wildlife removal expert. These professionals understand the behavior of bats and know how to safely and humanely remove them from your home. They’ll also help “bat-proof” your home to ensure the colony doesn’t return.

2. Install Bat Exclusion Devices Exclusion devices allow bats to exit but prevent them from returning. These can be installed by professionals after they’ve assessed the best points of entry. Once the bats have left, the entry points can be sealed properly to prevent future infestations.

3. Consider Installing a Bat House If you want to encourage bats to continue controlling your mosquito population without making your attic their home, consider installing a bat house nearby. Bat houses provide a safe place for bats to roost without getting too close for comfort.

Bats might not be the most welcome visitors in your attic, but they’re far from the villains they’re sometimes made out to be. By understanding their ecological importance and knowing how to handle an infestation properly, you can peacefully coexist with these nocturnal creatures while keeping your home bat-free. Remember, never try to remove bats yourself—always call in a professional to handle the situation safely and humanely!