As many people know, the common phrase “blind as a bat” is an untrue description of the ways bats can see. In fact, bats can see nearly as well as humans, but their nocturnal habits mean they need to rely on echolocation to improve their spatial sense in the dark. With echolocation, bats make calls and listen to the echoes in order to build an image of their surroundings. While this technique is impressive, bats might still sometimes end up off course, flying into your home.
If there’s a bat in the house, you might spot it flying around in early evening, landing on furniture, and then taking flight again. Should one of these winged mammals make their way into your home, it’s important that you assess whether it’s just one bat that lost its way or a more serious problem. Here are five steps to take if there’s a bat in the house.
1. Assess the Situation
If there’s a bat in the house, the first thing you should ask yourself is: how did it get here? Perhaps you left a door or window open and it came through there. Knowing where the bat came from will help you make a decision as to whether you’re dealing with one rogue bat or a colony living in your home.
2. Judge the Extent of the Issue
If you can only identify one bat, then the solution is rather simple: close all doors and windows around the bat except for one opening. When you provide only one potential exit, turn off the lights, and shine a flashlight on where you want the bat to go, eventually it will make its way out of your home.
Alternatively, bats might be roosting in your home—most likely the attic. Gauge the problem based on how many bats you see and the level of habitation they have in the home, and proceed accordingly.
3. Exercise Caution
Every situation is different and everyone reacts differently to a bat entering the home. When confronted with a bat, some people will feel confident to gear up and tackle the animal head on. If you feel confident taking a more proactive approach, then make sure that you are protected with gloves and a respiratory mask.It’s crucial to avoid physical contact with bats, and remove all young ones and pets from the same room as the animal.
4. Let the Bat Out
If there’s a clear entryway for the bat to have entered your home, you’re in luck—you can focus on getting the bat to fly out. If you found the bat in a room where someone is sleeping, suspect it might have come into contact with young children who can’t communicate, or can’t find the evidence of entry, then you must consider the situation more thoroughly— there’s a chance the bat came from inside and that it has come into contact with a family member.
5. Call the Professionals
You can use buckets or containers to coax a bat from high places. Be warned, though, that more active methods of wildlife control often leave everyone—bat and human—scared. Also, this is only effective if you have just one bat, not a potential colony.
If there’s a bat in the house and you suspect that perhaps other bats have gained access to your home, contacting the wildlife removal specialists is the only way to avoid potential health risks, decontaminate the area, and ensure the bats are removed humanely with no chance of returning.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!