Have you found a bat on your porch? Or perhaps you’ve noticed droppings? Does this mean bats have found their way into your attic? Not necessarily.
Porches and overhangs make excellent roosting spots. After feeding, bats will often land to rest and digest their food before continuing to feed. They tend to feed on mosquitoes and insects that are attracted to the lights commonly placed near porches. While good for keeping the insects away, this can be a nuisance, and preventing bats from roosting on porches can be quite the challenge. We have a number of tips and tricks for homeowners, to try to prevent bats from picking your porch to roost in.
Tips and tricks to stop bats from roosting under your porch.
Firstly, if you can wait for the season to change, the bat will probably leave on its own, when the weather turns cooler. If not, some people have had success hanging helium-filled Mylar balloons close to the roosting spot, the balloons need to sway to be effective, or by suspending aluminum foil.
If you don’t like the idea of what might be considered unsightly by some, try hanging wind chimes or mechanical owls, basically more aesthetically pleasing versions of aluminium foil. These are all fairly easy solutions but are not as effective as our next suggestion.
A more long term solution would be to modify the surface on which the bats are roosting. Bats like a material that they can hang onto easily, so securing something like Plexiglass (Perspex) to roosting sites won’t allow the bats to hang as they could on brick or wood.
Lastly, remember that bats are actually good to have around, as long as they are not hanging around your home! So why not try adding a bat house to your property, which will provide them with an alternate roosting site.
When to call the experts.
It is important to remember that if you find a bat on the ground during the daytime, it is likely to be injured or ill. Bats are wild animals so if they are in pain or in a panicked state they may try to defend themselves. Always take precautions, you should wear gloves and handle bats as little as possible, if in doubt call the experts.
We are happy to advise you on how to determine if you do have bats in your home, just give us a call. If you do have a bat problem, we can certainly help to get them out and keep them out.
Sincerely,
Michael Koski
Your Local Bat Removal Expert
Comments 31
Freddy
August 29, 2023 |
We have had bats feed in our front yard and dive into the pool for water every once in a while, however we now have one (just one) that is on our porch hanging off the brick. The strange part of it is that we spotted it around 1p in the day yesterday and it did not leave/move to feed overnight and is still there at sunrise this next morning. Do they sometimes not come out at night?
Tori Bruce
August 29, 2023 |
It would be unusual for a bat not to eat every night. The types we typically see in North America eat half of their body weight in insects (if pregnant, even more) every night. If it misses a night, it will get malnourished very quickly. If your little bat didn't leave all night, it was likely not doing well to begin with. If you need to handle it at any point, make sure to wear gloves and long sleeves. Keep an eye out if you have pets or kids that they don't come in contact with it.
Shelley
June 7, 2023 |
We just moved into a new house and we have at least one bat hanging out on our porch. He is scratching the paint off the stucco. Is there a perch we could put up there instead? What about a bat house near the front of the house. We don’t want to make it leave, but we don’t want it to Destroy the place either
Tori Bruce
June 10, 2023 |
This is always a dilemma! The problem with making a perch or installing a bat house is that the bat will make quite a mess with it's guano (bat droppings/urine). We usually recommend setting up bat houses away from your home, but it's always a gamble if the bats will chose to move in, no matter where it is. The other issue is, bats live in colonies so it likely wouldn't be one bat. More bats equal more mess. If I were you (and I love bats) I would try to make that space uninviting, try a couple suggestions from that article. You don't have to worry, the bat will adapt to a new spot. I would also inspect the perimeter of the house for any gaps (very small ones included) to make sure you don't have a colony already moved in. Keep an eye out for the droppings that look like mouse droppings or urine staining with an ammonia odor, often they are at an exit point. I hope this helps!
Amy I Chapman
December 14, 2022 |
Went out on my somewhat in closed porch. There is a bat under my cushion. Where I live they release them for control. Shouldn't my bat be where it is warm??
Tori Bruce
December 15, 2022 |
Hello, bats usually enter a state of torpor or migrate if you live in an area that gets cold during the winter. Unfortunately, there are various circumstances where they wake up too soon or don't migrate when they should have.
Moy
November 30, 2022 |
My son just noticed hanging by our front porch brick wall. It's been there for about an hour now since we noticed it. It could have been there for longer. What should I do to get rid of it before there is more than one?
Tori Bruce
November 30, 2022 |
Sometimes a bat might land on your porch if it couldn't get back to their normal roost after feeding. Hopefully, it will fly away tonight and not return. If it does, you can follow the tips in that blog. Also, feel free to call our customer service if you have questions. 877-264-2287
Caren H
September 27, 2022 |
I have anywhere from two to thirty bats nesting on my porch brick wall. The droppings are ridiculous. I thought leaving the light on would scare them. They don’t land when it’s on.
CV
August 17, 2022 |
We have a bat that is roosting at the top of our porch and we have been using eucalyptus oil. It seem to work for about a week or so and now I think he’s used to it. I have tried the ultrasonic stick in the ground option, with no success he still comes and Roosts If I put a bat box up I wonder how far up a tree and in what direction I have to put it to give it a home. I don’t know if that will solve the roosting or not
Tori Bruce
August 18, 2022 |
Hello, A bat box will not lure a bat away from its chosen roosting spot. Addressing the space he is in is the correct approach. Does the space allow for netting or screening to restrict access? Are there lights on at night that attract bugs for it to feed on?
Ron Rowe
August 13, 2022 |
What is the recommended mixture for peppermint oil, dish soap and water for the bat removal?
Tori Bruce
August 16, 2022 |
Hi, good question. It's not an exact science. (And it doesn't have a guaranteed success rate) The concept is a little soap in the water gives the oil something to 'stick' to, since oil and water don't mix. If the oil is concentrated, I would guess a dollop of soap and a few drops of oil in a cup of water.
Lisa Penta
September 20, 2023 |
I have a lot of bats (at least 50?) in my chimney! I called several Wildlife places and they don't work in this area. One person who doesn't work in this area, suggested to start a fire, and get a chimney cap when they fly out of the chimney. ( which is high up, 2 stories). I have a Big Victorian house, and tall ceilings, wrap around porch, and I already got bit by a bat on my porch! I am currently getting the series of rabies vaccines. I am afraid if I move the bats out of my chimney, they will roost on my porch and be closer to me.
Tori Bruce
September 26, 2023 |
Hello, I'm so sorry you have such a bat problem. Please call our customer service line for help. We specialize in bat removal. If we don't service your area, we are still happy to help advise. 877-264-2287
Kathy
August 9, 2022 |
We get scattered bat droppings on our front porch several times a week. Is cleaning it off with the garden hose to get rid of it enough to protect us from its toxicity?
Tori Bruce
August 9, 2022 |
Yes, Kathy, if you keep them from accumulating, you don't have to worry about toxicity. Guano has to accumulate to a couple inches before you have to worry about histoplasmosis.
LesleyWelham
July 12, 2022 |
We have noticed a scattering of bat droppings by our patio doors, also marks down the glass. We have seen about three bats wizzing around our garden at night but no sign of them roosting. Any ideas ?
Tori Bruce
July 21, 2022 |
Hello, If the droppings (guano) are sparse, they probably aren't living there but instead occasionally resting there. You might try cleaning up what is there and see how much new guano accumulates. If you need more help, please call our customer service number at 877-264-2287.
Steve
May 25, 2022 |
I have bat droppings on my porch. There are around 20-30 individual droppings. There is no evidence of roosting. I assume they are flying through and possibly resting. Are the droppings dangerous?
Tori Bruce
May 25, 2022 |
Hello, the bat droppings are not dangerous if scattered. They become potentially dangerous when it accumulates in a pile. For more information, please refer to the following article: https://www.getbatsout.com/bat-guano-dangerous/
Louvena McCann
August 24, 2021 |
I've been noticing droppings on my porch. And I seen a dropping on the wall. Brick surface. I looked tonight and seen a bat peeking from where the wall meets the ceiling of the porch ceiling /siding . I read to try turning lights on but I don't want it drawing bugs for the bats to eat.. what time is good to try to spray something? If I try the peppermint can I spray up in the opening by the ceiling? I don't know how far they can get in above the porch .
Tori Bruce
August 24, 2021 |
We haven't found peppermint spray to be a very good exclusion option is they are roosting. It is better as a deterrent to discourage them from hanging on the wall between feedings. If you're going to try it, the timing doesn't really matter, just be alert that they may all come out while you are spraying.
Melanie
April 12, 2021 |
Thanks so much for this info. We just found one bat roosting under our deck . We just had a bad tornado hit our neighborhood lots of tree and roof damage. Think he must be seeking new safe place. I will try your ideas let you know what works. Thx
Tori Bruce
April 13, 2021 |
So sorry to hear about the tornado! I am sure you are correct about the bats being displaced after it. I hope the suggestions work!
Adrianne Patullo
December 5, 2020 |
We installed plexiglass panels (two panels, each about 2 feet wide and 2 feet high) right under the roofline in the corner of our porch where the bats were roosting on the bricks. That solved the problem right away. Thank you for the idea!
Tori Bruce
December 7, 2020 |
Thank you for your feedback! Glad we could help figure out a solution.
Nancy
September 30, 2020 |
We had a bat stay for a few days and finally called the city's animal control officer who removed it. He said it was most likely sick since it did not move. I assume it had to be euthanized so it wouldn't get other bats sick. Now we have another that keeps visiting. I was thinking about getting some of those magnetic door screens to cover the majority of the porch so they couldn't fly in easily. Maybe I'll try some mylar balloons first. I guess when they have helium, I could tape them to the floor, then when they go flat, I could attach them to the top so they end up in the middle of the porch entrance. Would hanging sachets of peppermint oil deter them from visiting my porch? Or something else? I'm tired of cleaning up the feces and afraid that it will make us sick. Thanks, Nancy
Tori Bruce
October 1, 2020 |
Hi, well your porch must be an inviting place! I would try to think of things to make it less comfortable (but in a safe way) for the bats. You could try using a garden hose a few times because they want a dry spot. Peppermint oil mixed with some diluted soap where they like to huddle will likely make them want to move on too, you could try applying it in the evening when they like to leave for dinner. Usually it takes more than one application. I hope you have success!
Ann Daeschner
September 8, 2020 |
I have a bat that has apparently been roosting near the ceiling of my front porch (12-15 feet off the ground) all summer as evidenced by the droppings I have been finding. We saw the bat for the first time this weekend. It has not moved in at least 24 hours. It is roosting from the top of the brick wall. Any suggestions on how to chase it away without injuring it, and assuring it doesn't return?
Tori Bruce
September 9, 2020 |
Hi, thank you for keeping the bats wellbeing in mind as you plan to move it from it's favorite spot. It likes the spot because it feels safe and dry. A garden hose shouldn't hurt it, and if it happens a few times the bat may decide to move somewhere else. Alternately, peppermint oil mixed with a surfactant like diluted soap will irritate the bat enough to make him move. You may need to reapply every week or two until it leaves.