Bat Removal Heats Up with Spring Weather
As the temperature gradually rises, more bat activity is present to homeowners here in Northeast Ohio.
The Big Brown Bat is a common species here in our area and is a type of bat that has the amazing ability to adjust its metabolism based on temperature and time of the day.
In the dead of winter when temperatures are frigid and there is no food (insects), Big Brown Bats really slow down. Their body temperatures decrease and their hearts slow. They don’t fly and just sort of hang out. By doing this, their energy needs decrease and are thus able to survive off their pre-winter fat. They may rouse from time to time during warm ups, but usually they remain tucked away out of sight and out of mind.
Now that it has been consistently warmer and insects have reemerged, activity levels of Big Brown Bats have increased. They are hungry and need to get out at night, eat a lot of insects, and regain weight.
Increased Bat Activity Results in Human/Bat Encounters
It follows that this increase in activity results in bats showing up in people’s living spaces; which is where we come in and are asked for advice or removal services..
Our advice is don’t panic. Even if you don’t love bats, we assure you they are no threat and can be managed with good outcomes for both humans and bats.
For example, here is a Big Brown Bat found clinging to a patio door screen. This one and a buddy, now active at night, found their way into a living space and were hanging out during the daylight hours in what they thought was a good day roost.
How is this bat removed from the home? They are gently scooped up using a container or a well gloved hand and taken outdoors for release.
Remember to be extremely gentle as all bats in Ohio are protected and extremely valuable to our ecosystem. Intentionally killing bats is against the law.
Why Won’t the Bat Fly Away?
A Big Brown Bat roosting during the day this time of year is not likely to be difficult to corral. Don’t expect it to take off as you move towards it and fly all about the room.
Why is that? Just as they reserve energy in the winter by slowing down their metabolism, Big Brown Bats use the same trick daily throughout the year, especially in cooler weather that we are still prone to now.
Roosting bats are likely to have slow heart rates and lowered body temperatures. The effect of this is that they appear sleepy, slow, and can’t fly at a moment’s notice. Again, this is all about energy conservation. The state they are in is called torpor.
This inability to fly immediately can be seen in the following video Ryan shot of the two bats removed during the day. He let them continue to rest during the day waiting until evening to release them as this coincides with their normal activity pattern.
And, as he explains and shows, the Big Brown Bats, have to “wake up” so to speak before they go. Their not taking off immediately is nothing to be concerned about and not a sign of sickness.
Once the Bats Are Removed
Once the bats have been removed, it is advisable to do some detective work and try to figure out how they got into a living space.
Keeping bats out of living space by making repairs around vents, chimneys, soffit, siding, etc. is good for people and bats. Humans don’t want bats in their living spaces and bats are better off not coming into conflict with humans.
Finding and fixing areas where bats are getting into homes is a necessary step after bat removal. But, sealing out bats after safe removal is not the simplest of processes.
Luckily, Frontline Animal Removal (or a professional bat exclusion company in your area) has the know how to seal off your home from more bats.
If you are in the Akron, Canton, Kent, OH area and interested in our professional bat removal and prevention services, please contact us today.
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