Bats are fascinating creatures, but finding them in your home can be an alarming experience, as they pose a risk to your health and safety. If you have found bats in your home, what action should you take?
The first step in handling a bat infestation is to identify the signs of their presence. Some signs that indicate bats are present include droppings that resemble mouse droppings, but they’re larger and have a shiny appearance, scratching or scurrying sounds coming from your attic or walls, a foul smell in your home, and the most obvious one, you see bats flying in or out of your attic space.
Once you’ve identified signs of a bat infestation, what should you do next? Firstly, don’t panic. Bats are not aggressive, they are more afraid of you than you are of them.
Identifying the entry and exit points of bats is crucial in handling a bat infestation. You should observe the bats’ movement to determine where they’re entering and exiting your home. Once you’ve identified the entry and exit points, you should seal them off to prevent bats from entering your home. You can use caulk, mesh, or weatherstripping to seal off these areas.
Turn on the lights. Bats are nocturnal animals, and they prefer dark spaces. Turning on lights in the infested area can discourage them from staying there.
After sealing off entry points and turning on lights, you should wait for the bats to leave your home. This process can take a few days or even weeks, depending on the size of the colony.
Some homeowners feel uncomfortable handling a bat infestation on their own. If this is the case, it is best to hire a professional. A professional can help you identify the entry and exit points of bats and safely remove them from your home.