Bats are flying mammals (animals with hair) that consume thousands of insects per night (often equaling one-third their body weight in 30 minutes!).
Bats have a negative reputation from the general public because some of they diseases they may carry and Hollywood Movies; however, presence of bats around your home should not cause concern, unless of course they get inside your home or structures.
Bats normally mate in the fall and winter. It is during spring that bats ovulate and at this time the bats are looking for a safe place like your home to give birth.
Bats may move into your attics and wall spaces. Births typically occur in late spring and early summer, after which colonies for maternal reasons may be formed. These colonies typically disperse in late summer and bats begin to search for hibernating sites around the time of the first frost. Therefore, if bats are in your attic in late summer, they probably will be leaving on their own in a few weeks.
If bats have taken up nesting in your home, open any doors or windows leading outside and the bats will find their way out by detecting fresh air movement. If bats are present at nightfall, turn off the lights so the bats can find the open doors and windows to get outside; otherwise, they may seek refuge behind drapes, curtains and wall hangings.
Bright lights can be effective in repelling bats. Lights strung throughout the attic lighting all possible roost sites during the daytime may cause bats to leave. Installing windows in attics for increased light during the daytime will reduce the attractiveness for roosting. If you do have bats you may be able seal their entrances once they have left in the evening for feeding.
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Try this process:
- Observing bats leaving the building at dusk
- Checking for light entering the attic during the daytime
- Checking for airflow with a smoke source and flashlight at night.
It is wise to close all possible points of entry except one that is the main source of entry. This opening should be closed temporarily with removable material such as aluminum foil. Before closing permanently, check inside and make sure all bats have escaped or been removed and that none are trapped inside (which may die and create odor and sanitation problems). If a bat remains inside, the aluminum foil can be removed the next evening, allowing the bat to leave.
For a complete factual and scientific description go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat
MorgueFile free photo by greyerbaby.
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