How To Get Rid Of Bats Outside Your Home Safely & Effectively

Can I get rid of bats outside my house myself? Yes, you can often manage bats outside your home effectively and safely by using humane exclusion methods, natural bat repellents, and by understanding their behavior to prevent them from nesting.

Encountering bats around your home can be a cause for concern for many homeowners. Whether it’s the sight of them flitting around at dusk or the worry of them roosting in your eaves, knowing how to address these nocturnal visitors is important. The good news is that getting rid of bats outside your home doesn’t have to involve harmful practices. In fact, focusing on humane bat removal and bat-proofing your house are the most effective and ethical approaches. This guide will walk you through proven strategies, from understanding why bats are in my house to knowing when to call a bat removal service.

How To Get Rid Of Bats Outside Your Home
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Deciphering Bat Behavior and Attraction

Before we dive into removal, it’s crucial to grasp what draws bats to your property in the first place. Bats are beneficial creatures, playing a vital role in insect control and pollination. However, when their presence becomes a nuisance or a potential health concern, understanding their motivations helps in finding a solution.

Common Reasons for Bats in Your Vicinity

Several factors can make your home an attractive spot for bats:

Shelter: Bats seek safe places to rest during the day and raise their young. This can include attics, eaves, chimneys, wall voids, and even under loose siding or roof tiles.
Food Source: Bats are insectivores, and if your property has an abundance of flying insects like moths, mosquitoes, and beetles, bats will be drawn to the area as a reliable food source.
Proximity to Water: Water sources like ponds, lakes, or even bird baths can attract insects, which in turn attract bats.
Warmth and Darkness: Bats, especially those in cooler climates, often seek out warm, dark, and undisturbed locations for roosting. Attics and wall cavities can offer ideal conditions.

Why Bats are in My House

While this article focuses on bats outside your home, it’s worth briefly touching on why they might venture inside. Bats typically enter homes through small openings, seeking roosting spots. These could be gaps in the roofline, vents without screens, cracks in the foundation, or even unscreened chimneys. They are not intentionally trying to invade your living space but are rather seeking suitable roosting environments.

Safe and Effective Bat Exclusion Methods

The core of safely and effectively getting rid of bats outside your home lies in exclusion. This means preventing them from entering specific areas where they roost or tend to gather.

Bat Exclusion Methods: The Go-To Approach

Bat exclusion methods focus on allowing bats to leave an area but preventing them from returning. This is a humane and long-term solution.

1. Identifying Entry and Exit Points

The first step in any exclusion process is to meticulously survey your home’s exterior. Look for:

Gaps in the roofline: Especially under eaves, soffits, and fascia boards.
Cracks and crevices: In walls, around windows, and doors.
Loose or damaged siding and shingles.
Unscreened vents: In attics or soffits.
Chimneys: Without proper caps or screens.

Timing is Crucial: It’s vital to perform exclusion during times when bats are not actively raising young. In most regions, this means avoiding the maternity season, typically from late spring through summer. If you exclude bats during maternity season, you risk trapping flightless pups inside, which is inhumane and can lead to their demise. The best times for exclusion are generally early spring before maternity season begins, or late summer/early fall after the young have fledged.

2. One-Way Exclusion Devices

These devices are designed to let bats exit but prevent them from re-entering. They are the most effective and humane way to achieve humane bat removal from structures.

How They Work: The devices create a cone or tube that bats can crawl out of but cannot fly back into. They are typically installed over known exit points.
DIY Options: You can create simple one-way devices using netting or plastic sheeting.
- Netting Cones: Cut a piece of fine-mesh netting (like bird netting or fiberglass screen) large enough to cover the opening with several inches of overlap. Securely attach one end of the netting to the wall above the opening, forming a cone that extends downwards. The bottom of the cone is left open. Bats can crawl down and out, but they cannot find their way back up into the cone to re-enter.
- Plastic Tubing: A flexible plastic tube or pipe, such as a piece of dryer vent hose, can be inserted into an opening. Securely seal the top end to the building, leaving the bottom end open. Bats can exit by crawling down the tube, but it’s difficult for them to reorient and fly back up.

3. Sealing Off Other Entry Points

While the one-way exclusion devices are at the primary exit points, you must seal all other potential entry and exit points around your house.

Materials: Use materials that bats cannot chew through, such as:
- Caulking: For small cracks and gaps.
- Hardware Cloth or Metal Flashing: For larger openings or vents.
- Steel Wool: Can be used to temporarily plug holes before permanent sealing.
Process:
1. Carefully inspect your entire home exterior.
2. Seal any cracks, holes, or gaps that are smaller than 1/4 inch. Bats can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces.
3. Install hardware cloth or metal flashing over vents and chimneys.
4. Ensure that siding is secure and not peeling away.
5. Apply caulk or use appropriate materials to seal all potential entry points that are not designated as primary exits for your exclusion device.

4. Monitoring and Final Sealing

After installing your one-way exclusion devices and sealing other gaps, monitor the area for a few days.

Observation: Observe at dusk to see if bats are exiting. Listen for squeaking or scratching sounds in the structure.
Removal of Devices: Once you are confident that all bats have left the structure (usually after 3-5 nights of successful exit), you can remove the one-way exclusion devices.
Permanent Sealing: Immediately and permanently seal the openings where the exclusion devices were located. This is a crucial step in bat-proofing your house and preventing future colonization.

Natural Bat Repellents and Deterrents

While exclusion is the most effective long-term solution for removing bats from structures, some natural bat repellents and deterrents can be used in outdoor spaces to discourage them from frequenting certain areas. These are generally less effective for established roosts but can be useful for discouraging bats from landing or roosting in less desirable areas.

Deterring Bats from Eaves and Other Outdoor Areas

Deterring bats from eaves and other outdoor spaces often involves making these areas less hospitable or appealing.

1. Light and Sound Deterrents

Bright Lights: Bats are nocturnal and generally avoid brightly lit areas. Installing motion-activated lights or keeping outdoor lights on can make certain areas less attractive for roosting or foraging. However, bats can adapt to lights, so this may not be a permanent solution.
Ultrasonic Devices: These devices emit high-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but can be irritating to bats. Their effectiveness is debated, and bats can sometimes become accustomed to them.

2. Strong Scents (Natural Repellents)

Certain strong scents are often cited as natural bat repellents. Their efficacy can vary, and repeated application is usually necessary.

Peppermint Oil: The strong scent of peppermint is thought to be offensive to bats. Mix a few drops of pure peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where bats are a nuisance.
Cinnamon Oil: Similar to peppermint, cinnamon oil has a potent aroma that may deter bats.
Eucalyptus Oil: Another strong-smelling oil that might discourage bats.
Ammonia: The strong smell of ammonia is known to repel bats. However, ammonia is a harsh chemical and should be used with extreme caution, preferably in outdoor, well-ventilated areas, and always following safety guidelines. Place small, open containers with ammonia-soaked rags in affected areas. Be mindful of its toxicity and its effect on other animals or humans.

Important Note on Scents: These natural repellents are best used as a preventative measure or to make an area less appealing. They are unlikely to drive bats out of an established roost. The fumes need to be present consistently.

3. Creating Less Inviting Roosting Sites

Making your home less attractive for roosting is a key aspect of preventing bats from nesting.

Seal Openings: As mentioned earlier, sealing all potential entry points is the most effective way to prevent roosting.
Remove Clutter: Bats often seek sheltered spots. Clearing away piles of wood, debris, or unused items from around your home can reduce potential roosting sites.
Netting: In some cases, fine mesh netting can be draped over specific outdoor areas like pergolas or sheds if bats are frequently roosting there, but ensure it’s installed in a way that doesn’t trap them.

Getting Rid of Roosting Bats: A Deeper Dive

When you’ve identified that bats are actively roosting on your property, getting rid of roosting bats requires a systematic approach, prioritizing exclusion during the correct seasons.

Seasonal Considerations for Roost Removal

Spring (Early): Before maternity season starts, you can begin exclusion. This is an ideal time to seal up entry points and install temporary exclusion devices.
Summer (Maternity Season): DO NOT attempt exclusion during the summer months when bats are giving birth and raising flightless young. This is inhumane and will trap the young, leading to their death and potential odor problems.
Late Summer/Early Fall: After the young are able to fly, exclusion can be safely performed. The bats will leave to forage and won’t be able to return through the sealed openings or exclusion devices.
Winter: In colder climates, bats may hibernate. Disturbing hibernating bats can be fatal. Exclusion should be avoided during hibernation periods.

Methods for Bat Deterrents for Attics

Attics are common roosting spots. Bat deterrents for attics typically involve making the attic uninhabitable for bats.

Ventilation and Light: Bats prefer dark, still, and undisturbed environments. Increasing ventilation with attic fans or opening vents (temporarily) can make the attic less appealing. Installing lights can also deter them, though constant light might be needed.
Seal Entry Points into the Attic: Ensure all gaps where bats can enter the attic from the exterior are sealed. This is critical for bat-proofing your house.
Exclusion from the Attic: If bats are roosting in the attic, you’ll need to identify their exit points from the attic to the outside. Once these are identified, one-way exclusion devices can be installed over these openings.

When to Call a Bat Removal Service

While DIY methods can be effective for minor issues, there are times when professional help is necessary. Knowing when to call a bat removal service is important for safety and effectiveness.

Situations Requiring Professional Intervention

Large Colonies: If you suspect a large colony of bats is roosting in your home, it’s best to call a professional. They have the equipment and expertise to handle large numbers of bats safely.
Bats Inside Living Areas: If bats are entering your actual living spaces (bedrooms, living rooms), this requires immediate and careful attention. Professionals can safely capture and remove these bats.
Rabies Concerns: While rare, bats can carry rabies. If you or a pet has been bitten or scratched by a bat, or if a bat is found in a room with an unattended sleeping person, child, or intoxicated individual, contact your local health department immediately and then a professional removal service. Never handle a bat with bare hands.
Difficult Access: If the bat roost is in a hard-to-reach location, like a very high roof or a complex structural void, a professional service is recommended.
Lack of Success with DIY Methods: If you’ve tried exclusion methods and they haven’t worked, a professional can identify why and implement a more effective strategy.
Uncertainty About Timing: If you are unsure about the best time of year to perform exclusion due to local bat species and their reproductive cycles, consult a professional.

What a Professional Bat Removal Service Offers

Professional services provide:

Expert Assessment: They can accurately identify species, colony size, and all entry/exit points.
Humane Exclusion: They use specialized equipment and techniques for safe and effective humane bat removal.
Guaranteed Results: Many services offer guarantees on their exclusion work.
Sanitation: They can also advise on or perform the cleanup and sanitation of guano (bat droppings), which can sometimes pose health risks.
Preventative Measures: They will ensure bat-proofing your house is thorough.

Preventing Bats from Nesting in the Future

Once you’ve successfully excluded bats, the key is preventing bats from nesting again. This involves ongoing maintenance and vigilance.

Maintaining a Bat-Proof Home

Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect your home’s exterior for new cracks, holes, or damaged areas that could serve as entry points. Pay attention after storms.
Screen Maintenance: Ensure all vent screens are intact and secure. Repair or replace any damaged screens immediately.
Chimney Caps: Make sure chimneys are fitted with sturdy, fine-mesh caps.
Yard Maintenance: Keep your yard clean and free of debris that could provide alternative roosting spots near your home. Trim trees away from the house if they provide easy access to the roof.
Outdoor Lighting: Continue to use outdoor lighting strategically. While not a primary deterrent for roosts, it can discourage bats from congregating too close to your home’s immediate perimeter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Are bats dangerous to humans?

A1: Bats are generally not dangerous, but like any wild animal, they should be treated with respect and caution. The primary concern is rabies, which is rare in bat populations but possible. Never handle a bat with bare hands. If you find a bat in your living space, especially in a room with sleeping people, children, or pets, contact your local health department and a professional removal service.

Q2: Can I use mothballs to get rid of bats?

A2: No, mothballs are not recommended as a bat repellent. They are toxic and can be harmful to bats, other wildlife, pets, and humans. Their fumes can also pose health risks. Furthermore, their effectiveness as a bat deterrent is generally low, and they are not considered a humane method.

Q3: How do I know if I have bats in my attic?

A3: Signs of bats in your attic include:
* Droppings (guano): Bat guano is dry, crumbly, and often found in piles directly below where bats roost or exit. It may resemble mouse droppings, but if you crush it, it will be shiny due to insect remains.
* Squeaking or Scratching Noises: You might hear faint squeaking, chattering, or rustling sounds, particularly at dusk or dawn.
* Stains: Dark stains on walls or ceilings near entry points can be from bat oils and urine.
* Sightings: Seeing bats flying in or out of your attic or around your home at dusk.

Q4: What is guano and is it dangerous?

A4: Guano is the term for bat droppings. While bat droppings themselves are not inherently dangerous, large accumulations of guano in enclosed spaces like attics can pose a health risk if disturbed. The risk comes from inhaling airborne fungal spores (Histoplasma capsulatum) present in dried guano, which can cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory illness. Proper protective gear (gloves, masks) should be worn when cleaning up guano, and professionals are often best equipped for large cleanups.

Q5: How long should I leave one-way exclusion devices in place?

A5: One-way exclusion devices should typically be left in place for 3 to 5 nights, depending on the weather. Ensure there are no nights with extreme cold or heavy rain where bats might be unable to forage, as this could prevent them from leaving. Monitor the situation to confirm all bats have exited.

By following these comprehensive strategies for bat exclusion methods, utilizing natural bat repellents where appropriate, understanding humane bat removal principles, and knowing when to call a bat removal service, you can effectively manage bats outside your home and maintain a peaceful coexistence with these valuable creatures. Remember that bat-proofing your house and consistent maintenance are key to preventing bats from nesting and keeping them from becoming a persistent problem.