Bat’s are a symbol used to drive fear into the hearts of my enemies. “I am vengeance, I am the night, I am the bat… wait sorry, we are not a masked vigilante running around the rooftops of a certain city. But we are here to talk about these mammal masters of flight, the undisputed champions of echolocation, and the bane of many a nighttime insect. Yes, we’re talking about bats!
Bat Basics: Numbers, Nibbles, and Nightlife
There are over 1,400 species of bats found around the world, and 47 of them call the United States home. These nocturnal critters are most active in the southern states, with their populations thinning out as you head north. However, Austin is known to have one of the most famous bat colonies living under Congress bridge in Austin with tourists coming just to watch as millions of bats emerge at twilight to head out hunting their breakfast.
Signs You Share Your Space with Bats
While bats are beneficial to the environment, they can become unwelcome guests if they take up residence in your attic or chimney. Here are some signs that you might have batty roommates:
- Bat Guano: This fancy term is just a polite way of saying bat droppings. If you find small, dark pellets in your attic, around your chimney, or near your eaves, it could be a sign of bats.
- Strange Noises: Bats can be surprisingly noisy creatures. You might hear squeaking, chirping, or scratching sounds coming from your roof or walls, especially at dusk and dawn.
- Musty Odors: Bat guano can emit a strong, ammonia-like odor. If your house has developed a mysterious musty smell, bats could be the culprit.
- Unexplained Entry Points: Bats are tiny and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings. If you find small holes in your soffit vents, roof, or chimney, it’s worth investigating further.
Bat Breeding Season
Bat breeding season varies depending on the species and location, but it generally occurs in late spring and summer. During this time, female bats form maternity colonies in places that offer shelter and warmth, like caves, attics, or hollow trees (or in the case of Austin, roadway bridges that hold heat from the sun and the cars). They typically give birth to one or two pups at a time, and the young bats stay with their mothers for several weeks until they learn to fly and hunt on their own.
Bats Help Balance the Ecosystem
Bats are a vital part of healthy ecosystems. Incredible insect-eaters, bats help to control populations of mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and other potentially harmful bugs. This not only protects crops and gardens but also helps to reduce the spread of diseases transmitted by insects. Additionally, some bat species play a crucial role in plant pollination and seed dispersal. Their nocturnal foraging habits allow them to visit night-blooming flowers, transferring pollen between plants and ensuring the reproduction of these vital species.
Making Your Home Less Bat-Friendly
While bats are beneficial creatures, having them roosting in your home can be a nuisance. Here are some tips on how to make your property less inviting to these flying friends:
- Seal Up Entry Points: Inspect your home for any potential entry points, such as gaps in your soffit vents, roofline, or chimney. Use caulk or wire mesh to seal up these openings, ensuring they are completely closed.
- Exclude Them Humanely: If you discover bats already roosting in your home, the best course of action is to evict them humanely. There are several exclusion methods available, such as installing one-way exclusion doors that allow bats to leave your home but prevent them from returning. It’s important to note that bat exclusion should only be done when bats are not actively raising young.
- Consider Alternatives: If bats are a recurring problem in your area, you might consider installing bat houses on your property. These provide bats with a safe and alternative roosting location, keeping them out of your home while still allowing them to benefit your ecosystem.
Remember, bats are not aggressive creatures and will generally avoid contact with humans. By understanding their habits and implementing humane exclusion methods, we can coexist peacefully with these fascinating nocturnal neighbors. Prickly Pear specializes in humane removal of bats using a variety of tools and methods to not only get the bats out of your belfree (or attic) but to also clean, disinfect, and repair any efvidence of them.