Finding Bat Entries
Unlike squirrels and raccoons, bats don’t force their way into our homes.
They get in through small openings that come to exist on our homes through age, damage, design, or poor workmanship. Or, more than likely, a combination of these factors. Little openings that don’t look like much to most, often lead to nooks and crannies (soffits or big attics) that have climates bats thrive in.
If they find the right conditions, they’ll be back year after year.
Finding where bats are getting into a home means looking for the gaps that exist. That’s what our bat inspection services offer.
At the entries there are usually tell-tale signs like smudge marks and bat droppings below. The dirty marks come from the oil on the bats’ fur as multiple bats move through the funneled area. In the picture here, you can see the are has a dirty look from the repeated rubbing of bat fur through this area.
Common to all bat entries are building materials they can easily cling to and a spot where take-offs and landings are possible. Thus, masonry and asphalt shingles are preferred over smooth, vertical building parts. It’s also why the bats usually choose entries higher up on buildings.
In this video, Ryan shows a common entry for bats- where there is a gap by a chimney. The video also shows an example of how gaps open up on our homes over the course of time.
Modifying Bat Entries
In theory, solving a bat problem is straightforward two-step process:
- Make sure all the bats are out of a structure
- Seal up the structure up so the bats can’t get back
Bats leave a structure every night to eat. So getting them out is no problem. The trick is stopping their getting back in. This is accomplished by modifying their entrance with a bat cone. Making sure all the bats are out of a house is a process of putting barriers over entrances that let them out, but prevent them from getting back in.
Bat tubes (or bat cones) work because of 1) smooth materials that are placed in areas the 2) bats can’t land by. Remember, they needed grippy materials to climb. They don’t fly straight into holes-they land and then scramble in. Bat tubes have materials and placement which takes away their ability to get into the tubes once they’ve exited. The tubes use their anatomy against them.
Only a Bat Tube Installed
Once they are outside, they’ll want back in. When they are done feeding for that night they will definitely try to get back in where they exited. Since they won’t be able to get back in where the bat tube is, they look for another spot to get into the old roost or just give up and roost somewhere else(the desired outcome). The cone will protect the main entrance but they’ll look for other ways in.
That is why, before the cone/tube is placed at the main entrance, all secondary entry points need sealed as well. This is what we call bat-proofing and is done in conjunction with bat exclusion.
The amount of bat proofing needed around the structure determines how extensive the job is and whether successfully keeping them out is accomplished.
At a recent job (shown in the video below), the two step process described above was not entirely done by Frontline Animal Removal.
Ryan explains that he put the bat tube in place but is not bat-proofing the structure. The owner of the building is taking on the responsibility of bat-proofing. If both parties do their part, the results of a bat-free building should still be expected.
Take a look.
Bat Proofing & Removal | Akron, Canton, Kent
For all of your bat-related needs in the Stark, Summit, Portage County area, please give Frontline Animal Removal a call.
From inspecting to removal to bat proofing, we have the experience needed to get the bats out and keep them out. We’ll work with you to get the level of service you desire-it’s all about communication.
Right now is a great time to let the bats find another place to roost!
