How to Keep Bats Away From Your House

Why you should keep bats away from your house

Keeping bats away from your house is vital for several reasons:

1. Bats can carry and transmit diseases such as rabies and histoplasmosis, posing a risk to the health and safety of you and your family.
2. Their droppings, known as guano, can pile up quickly, leading to unsanitary conditions and a strong, unpleasant odor. When guano and urine mix and accumulate, they can erode even strong materials, causing massive damage to the home. Guano can also become a source of harmful fungal spores such as Histoplasma.
3. Bats can cause significant structural damage to your home by nesting in attics, chimneys, and walls, as they chew on wood, insulation, and electrical wires. This can result in costly repairs and potential fire hazards.
4. Bats are nocturnal creatures, meaning their activities can disturb your sleep, causing inconvenience and sleep deprivation.

What smell will keep bats away?

Bats have a strong sense of smell and are commonly thought to be repelled by certain natural scents. For this purpose, some homeowners use peppermint oil, cinnamon, eucalyptus oil, cloves, and garlic as bat repellants. However, this is by no means a fail-safe method. Although scents may repel some pests, bats are not easily deterred by traditional repellents used for insects or rodents. They have strong homing instincts and are adaptable creatures. While some substances like mothballs, ammonia, or strong-smelling plants may have a temporary effect, they are not reliable long-term solutions.

Will keeping a light on keep bats away?

Keeping a light on may deter bats from entering your home, but it is not a guaranteed way to keep them away. Bats are nocturnal animals and are attracted to dark, quiet places. If a light is on in your home, the bats may feel exposed and uncomfortable and choose to find another place to roost. However, if the light is not bright enough or the bats are desperate for a place to stay, they may still enter your home.

Can I use noise to repel bats?

Bats are sensitive to sound, so some people use loud noises to startle the bats and make them leave. Ultrasonic noise devices can be purchased, which are marketed as bat deterrents. Ultrasonic sounds are audible for bats but far too high for humans to hear. These are thought to interfere with the bat’s echolocation. Some people have also used loud noises, such as playing music loudly, banging pots and pans, or playing the sounds of predators, such as owls or hawks. 

However, it is essential to note that noise alone is not necessarily effective at repelling bats. Bats may eventually become accustomed to the noise and ignore it. In addition, the noise can be far more disruptive to humans and other animals. A far more reliable way to keep bats away from your house is to seal up any entry points to your home.

Bat-Friendly Exclusion Methods: Preventing Entry into Your Home

Focusing on exclusion and preventive measures is crucial to keep bats away from your house effectively. Identifying and sealing any potential entry points, such as gaps in the roof, cracks in walls, or uncapped chimneys, is key to preventing bats from accessing your home. It’s important to note that bat exclusion should be done humanely, ensuring that no bats are trapped or harmed. These methods involve sealing up any entry points that bats might use while allowing them to escape.

Here are some bat-friendly exclusion methods:

• Use one-way exclusion devices: One-way exclusion devices allow bats to escape but not to re-enter. These “one-way doors” can be placed over entry points, such as holes in the wall or roof. For help installing these correctly, contact your local residential bat removal specialist.
• Use caulk or expanding foam: Caulk and expanding foam can seal up small cracks and holes that bats might use to enter your home. Be sure to use a product that is safe for bats. This must be done thoroughly, as even a tiny gap of 3/4 inch in diameter is enough for a bat to squeeze through!
• Bat-proof screens can be installed over windows and vents that bats might use to enter your home. These screens are made of a mesh that is small enough to keep bats out but large enough to allow air to circulate.

If you’re experiencing persistent issues with bats, it is advisable to seek professional help from residential bat removal specialists. They have the knowledge and experience to handle the situation effectively and in compliance with local regulations protecting bats.

Residential Bat Removal: When to Seek Expert Help 

If you have searched “How to keep bats away from your house” as a precaution against potential infestations, there is no harm in installing an ultrasonic device or using an essential oil spray around your home. However, if you have seen a bat in your house or suspect that you may have bats roosting in your home, you should exclude the bats from your property as soon as possible. As mentioned, bats can carry harmful diseases and cause extensive damage to your home. Although we value these animals as a critical part of our ecosystem, we should not cohabit with them. For a successful bat removal, contact a residential bat removal company as soon as possible for a complete bat exclusion and thorough guano clean-up to minimize the risks to yourself and your family. 

By taking preventive measures such as sealing entry points and seeking assistance from a professional bat removal company if necessary, you can ensure a bat-free environment and maintain a safe and comfortable living space for you and your loved ones.

Your Local Bat Removal Specialist,

Michael Koski