FAQ How can I repel and keep bats out of my attic, barn or house?

[@benebutterbean2737]

Okay, so I hear you that the bats get tangled in your hair, but do they make a proper nest? Like of twigs and mud and such. Are the eggs truly soft as jelly, or have we been lied to all this time?

[@h4bats]

Bats are mammal, they give live birth and they do not build nests. They live in "roosts" which can be crevices in bridges, trees, building or in caves etc... They like the temps between 85 and 100 degrees, so they will typically be in a structure that is in lots of sun.

[@brettcarter6510]

Glad to see this this dude knows what he’s talking about

[@h4bats]

Thanks, I have done a tremendous amount of reading, research and talking to biologists.

[@tabbycats5]

I have a bat that hangs over my car way up in the beams of our carriage shed. I never see it but it leaves it's droppings all over my car all the time. It's an open shed and can't be closed off. How do I get rid of this bat in this situation. I am so tired of my car being a mess. Thank you

[@h4bats]

Bats are pretty good about picking a spot and staying with it. I would suggest that during the winter when the bat is gone, you see where it is roosting and see if you can block or somehow exclude the bat from getting into his favorite spot. Most bats like crevices, such as a 1" gap where two wood beams are side by side or any other gab such as behind gutters. They typically do not like roosting in the wide open. So if you can fill gaps or block the corner/crevice it likes, it may move on. Providing alternate housing, such as a bat house, is a good practice to include in any exclusion. Learn more at eStore.HabitatForBats.org

[@shawndubay4050]

If you put up a collony bat house will the bats move from your home to the bat house that you put up??

[@h4bats]

Bats are more likely to occupy both. Once bats can get in and find a place they like, they typically won't just leave. It's best to put up a new bat house and then exclude bats from the structure. You should only exclude bats before April or after the 1st of August or you could be stranding pups inside that can't leave. (check your local resources as these dates can vary and are based on Northern Hemisphere)

[@shawndubay4050]

@@h4bats thank you for the info. Do you know any solution to protect a bat house from woodpeckers?? We have alot of these birds here in Northern Kentucky and I have seen a video where woodpeckers destroyed a bat house. I have leftover shingles from my roof work but don't know if the shingles would increase the internal temperature to the point that it would endanger the bats.

[@siciliangirl1329]

I have a question I recently discovered tht I have bats living behind my wall where my space heater pipe goes into the wall. I live in the city on 3rd floor & there is a chimney on top of my roof. That being said can anyone help me as to HOW I can get them out? I DON'T wnt to hurt them or anything like tht I just wnt them to go& I've done enough research to know they tend to come bck to their homes & well this is my home & I'm sick of these guys living rent free!! I wld appreciate ANY suggestions you have for me! I live alone & have a big ogre of a dog,he's a bully breed but I'm so SCARED when I leave for work or something they Are gonna find a way into my place & IDKKK I'm just really freaked out! I have been using a video on KZbin w the sound they don't like tht humans can't hear & it seems to kinda work idk when I hear them I immediately put tht on & they get silent instantly but they aren't leaving 😭 someone HELPPP!!

[@h4bats]

That's a big question! The good news is, it is late enough in the year to do an exclusion (after August 15th) so no pups will be stranded. You need to find where the bats enter and exit and cover the entrance with an exclusion method. The most popular method (if the entrance permits it) is a mesh or screen over the entrance that works like an upside down pocket. The bats leave, crawl down to exit, should hang down at least 18" or so past where they land to enter. Once they are gone, when they come back they will try to land in the normal spot close to the entrance but will not crawl down to the bottom of the "curtain" to go under it and crawl up, thus excluded. There are also ways to use PVC or cardboard tubes to build an "exit tunnel" they leave but when they come back they can't hold on to the tube and climb in it. That normally works best when the tube is pointed down or at a high angle down. Bats will not chew, but they will push and pull. Normally, some good duct tape to hold the mesh or tube on and using something like ridge vent material (looks like cheap air conditioning filters only it is UV resistant) can be cut and shoved into crevices forcing the bats to use the desired exclusion method when leaving and trying to return. Good luck!

[@siciliangirl1329]

@@h4bats I know big question..sorry it's really freaking me out! I believe they are getting in through my chimney or under the soffit not sure ? Thank you for the reply & all ur help🙏🏼

[@chestnutplanter]

Thanks, that's good to know to wait till the first of August.

[@h4bats]

That's in Georgia, some parts of the country suggest August 15th or even a little later. The idea is, after the first of August in Georgia it is a 99.9% certainty that the pups will be able to leave the roost and not get trapped during an exclusion. It's always a good idea to survey the area with a good flashlight (if possible) a day (or two) after the exclusion to make sure nothing has been trapped. Never handle live bats with bare hands. Thanks for loving bats!

[@weswsp01]

I got over 100 in my attic now

[@nanawolfie1942]

Maybe I'm coldhearted, but I couldn't care less if their pups live or die.

[@h4bats]

Many humans are short sighted, so take comfort in knowing you are not alone.

[@keesanka1]

"Just make sure you do it after the the first of August" WETF.!

[@h4bats]

Correct, I prefer waiting until August 15th to be certain. You don't want to strand any pups from their mother. Thanks for loving bats!

[@SySyPlayDay]

lol bumping crazy train lol wont be played in my house lol

[@h4bats]

I am guilty of listening to that a few times... maybe even right now as I reply!

[@jeffbeck6699]

You forgot to mention that you should always wear a hat so they don't get tangled in your hair and lay their eggs.

[@jeffbeck6699]

Like yours.

[@h4bats]

I have no hair to worry about, and bats are mammals and give live birth, they don't lay eggs.

[@brettcarter6510]

DONT USE BAT HOUSES....

[@h4bats]

If bats like an area, they are moving in with or without bat houses nearby. Bat Houses themselves do not attract or draw bats into a location, they explore, find, roost if they like it.

[@Kathleen-l6u]

Its Feb & We have 2 ***How do you get rid of them please?