Living Harmoniously with Wildlife

— by William McIntosh

We are now fully into the summer heat, blue skies and animal issues are quieting down! Oh, but there is one animal that can come across our radar screen…bats! Summertime can lead to bat issues in homes and cottages, prompting many of the following questions:

How do I know if I have a bat issue?

Bats are a very small mammal, in fact they are the smallest mammal, with the bumblebee bat being the smallest mammal known to science! It can be difficult to detect a bat problem unless certain situations arise. The first sign most people have of bats is suddenly having one flying in the house, leading to the question, ‘How did that get in here?’ Many people assume bats come through an open door or window; however, the likelihood of this happening is very small. Bats do not like bright light and therefore, they normally avoid the interior of homes. Typically, bats enter a home through small gaps on higher levels of the house, then descend down walls, sleeping there during the day. High temperature fluctuations can cause the bats to shift their sleeping locations, descending down for cooler temperatures, causing them to sometimes pop out in unfinished areas of the home (e.g. basement, fireplace, furnace room). Once in the open, they fly around searching for a way out.

Can I detect a bat problem before it gets inside my living space?

Sometimes. Usually, due to their small size, they go unnoticed. There are several ways to see if you have an issue with bats. If you go out in the evening near twilight, watch from the corner of the building, keeping an eye on the soffit/eavestrough areas. You may see bats exit from up above. That’s a sure sign. Also, sounds coming from the walls, bat droppings on walls, windows, porches or decks are all signs of a potential bat problem.

Are bats that big of a deal? Are they honestly a problem?

Bats themselves are a wonderful part of our environment, consuming upwards of a thousand bugs per bat per night. They are an unrivalled pest controller, but having them in your structure can be a threat to your health and safety. Bats carry parasites, one of which is very similar to the commonly known bedbug. Their faeces (also known as guano) can be dangerous if your lungs are exposed to it. Bats are also the #1 carrier of rabies in Ontario. Being small and having very sharp teeth, you can be bitten by a bat almost painlessly. So having bats in your structure is a risk that’s not worth leaving alone.

I have a bat flying around in my house, what do I do?

Call a wildlife control company. They will have the proper tools and know how to handle bats safely. Bats are a protected species under ‘The Endangered Species Act’ so harming one is illegal and punishable with up to a $10,000 fine per bat. Wildlife Control Agents will inspect your structure to find the access areas the bat is using. 

Can I have my house protected from bats before they become a problem?

Yes. Many wildlife companies offer bat removal/preventative services to get ahead of the issue before it arises. It’s a best-case scenario for both homeowners and animals alike. There’s no disruption to an animal that can’t access an area that it’s never lived in. The owner’s investment is protected from any potential damage or issues to the structure. Quotes for bat work can be expensive due to the nature of the exhaustive process of looking for entry points (bats need only 3/8” gap to gain access) and closing those entry points off. Once complete, the prevention work is normally a long-lasting investment as bats cannot create spaces to live in. They simply take advantage of existing accessible areas. Once they are barred from an area, they cannot pull, pry or chew their way in. They are forced to look for shelter elsewhere.

If I put a bat house in my yard, will the bats leave and go there instead?

No. Without forcing the bats to leave, they naturally stay put where they are currently established. Only if their home is compromised, or unfit to live in during the winter, will a bat voluntarily leave.

Am I able to do the process of bat removal myself?

This is a risky situation for our DIY folks. Reason being, if you accidentally seal up the entry/exit point for the bats (which is easy, remembering a 3/8” gap is all that’s needed) and the bats can’t escape, they will seek another way out. If that happens, it could be through an unfinished room downstairs. You may end up with a potentially dangerous situation on your hands. I’m aware of a situation where a gentleman had his friend come over to “seal out those bats” at his cottage. The next day, there were dozens of bats in the man’s living room and other rooms. If you have bats, leave it to the experts who know the signs and have an understanding of the animal’s lifecycle.

How many bats are in my walls?

Anywhere from half a dozen to a couple of hundred! Depending on how large the structure is and how many years they’ve lived there, bats can be quite numerous. A bat’s lifespan can be up to 20 years, which allows for colonies to get quite large as they are very social creatures. I have seen both sides, from a few to dozens and dozens, so keep this in mind if you’re debating about having your home looked at.

Bats are a very valuable part of nature and they deserve to live life doing what they do best!