How Do Bats Get in the House?
Bats in the house can be an unsettling discovery, especially when they decide to make your attic their home. At Frontline Animal Removal, we specialize in resolving these nuisance wildlife issues for residents in the Canton, Akron, and Kent areas of Ohio. Serving Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties, we provide thorough wildlife removal and repair services to ensure your home is bat-free. But how exactly do bats manage to get into our homes?
Understanding Bat Entry Points
Bats are adept at finding their way into buildings through the smallest of openings. Unlike other animals, they don’t create entry points but exploit existing gaps. Understanding how bats get into your house is crucial for effective removal and prevention.
Small Size, Big Problem
Bats are small and can squeeze through incredibly tight spaces. They only need a gap as small as 3/8 of an inch to enter a building. These gaps can be found in various parts of a structure, including:
- Roof edges: Loose or missing shingles, or gaps where the roof meets the walls, provide easy access.
- Vents: Openings in attic vents or gable vents are common entry points.
- Chimneys: Uncapped chimneys offer a direct route into your home.
- Eaves and soffits: Any gaps or holes where building materials meet can attract bats.
Here is a recent video where Ryan found how bats were getting into a building. As you’ll see, the siding is not secure where it meets the roof. Bats can easily land on the roof and crawl right under the siding. From there, they explore.
The Attraction of Your Home
Bats seek out places that offer shelter and a stable, comfortable temperature. Your attic, with its warmth and protection from predators, becomes an ideal roosting site. They also need surfaces to land on, and textured roofs and masonry, like brick and block, provide excellent gripping surfaces for bats.
Conducting a Bat Inspection
To determine how bats are getting into your home, a thorough inspection is necessary. At Frontline Animal Removal, we conduct comprehensive inspections to identify all potential entry points. This process may include:
- Exterior Inspection: We examine the exterior of your home for gaps, cracks, and other openings. This involves looking at the roof, vents, eaves, soffits, and chimneys.
- Interior Inspection: Inside the attic, we look for signs of bat activity such as droppings, staining, or the presence of bats themselves.
- Landing Zones: Identifying areas where bats are likely to land and grip, such as textured surfaces, is also crucial.
For more detailed information on what our bat inspections entail, you can refer to our post on bat exclusions here.
The Bat Removal Process
Removing bats from your home involves more than just getting them out. It’s about ensuring they can’t get back in. This process, known as bat exclusion, includes:
- Modifying Openings: We install one-way devices over the entry points. These devices allow bats to exit but prevent them from re-entering.
- Sealing Entry Points: Once all bats have left, we seal all identified entry points to prevent future access.
- Repair and Cleanup: Any damage caused by the bats, such as soiled insulation or structural damage, is repaired. We also clean up droppings and other debris to ensure a healthy environment.
Timing of Bat Exclusion
Ohio State law allows bat exclusion work to begin in August. However, inspections and preparatory work can be done at any time. Early preparation ensures that we are ready to act as soon as the exclusion period starts, minimizing the time bats spend in your home.
Preventing Future Infestations
After the bats have been removed and the entry points sealed, regular maintenance and inspections are key to preventing future infestations. Ensure that all potential entry points remain sealed and address any new gaps that may appear due to wear and tear over time.
Why Choose Frontline Animal Removal?
At Frontline Animal Removal, we are dedicated to providing effective and humane solutions to your bat problems. Our team of experts is experienced in handling bat exclusions and repairs, ensuring that your home remains bat-free. We understand the stress and health risks associated with having bats in your home, and we are committed to delivering prompt and professional service.
If you suspect bats have taken up residence in your home, don’t wait. Contact Frontline Animal Removal today to schedule an inspection and take the first step towards a bat-free home. Serving Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties, we are your local experts in wildlife removal and exclusion.
Feel free to reach out to us at Frontline Animal Removal for more information or to schedule an inspection. Our team is ready to help you reclaim your home from unwanted wildlife.
