Bats offer humans and the environment many benefits but, should these important and disease-spreading creatures enter your home, they can pose a danger to your health and cause extensive damage. We reveal how bats get into your house and how to keep them out.

How Much Space Do Bats Need?

Bats are tiny creatures, but what you may not realize is that many species are able to flatten their bodies enough to squeeze through spaces no thicker than a dime! What that means is there are more opportunities for entry than you may expect.

Once they squeeze through gaps, bats will keep moving until they find a larger and warmer space, like your attic, in which to roost.

Common Entry Points

New noises in your home can often mean critters like bats have entered—but how did they get in?

Chimney

Bats prefer living areas that are accessible, warm, and safe. Chimneys check all these boxes for bats. Bats have often been discovered roosting in chimneys, but they’ve also been discovered inside living rooms after flying down chimneys.

The quickest way to seal this entry point is with a chimney cover. These products allow for full air flow, but completely prevent bats and other animals from entering.

Roof

Your roof may look solid, but all it takes for a bat to find entry is one damaged or missing shingle. Underneath, rotting wood can be easy for bats to make their way through. That being said, it’s important to inspect your roof on a regular basis and replace missing, peeling, damaged, or cracked shingles.

Siding

Any damage to your home’s siding can invite bats in. This is because they can easily slip between siding cracks to find access through walls and into your living space. Just as with your shingles, siding should be inspected regularly and repaired immediately.

Vents

Vents also offer the warmth, darkness, seclusion, and protection bats prefer. Bats have been known to fly through entire venting systems to find their way inside. Vent covers prevent access from outside of your home so that bats never have a chance to enter.

Fascia

Fascia board is exposed to temperature and moisture fluctuations which, over time, can cause damage and warping. Remember, bats only need a dime’s width of space, so any fascia warping can mean easy entry. Again, the solution is inspection and immediate repair.

Soffits

The wear and tear that soffits take from wind and weather make them very vulnerable to damage. A soffit that’s dangling or that’s loosened is a common entry point for bats. Quick repair and replacement to close any gaps is always a good idea.

Open Doors and Windows

Bats don’t discriminate about entry points, especially when it’s hibernation season! Check the frames around doors and windows for gaps, and seal them with caulking to keep bats out and keep heat in. You’ll also want to close open windows during dusk and dawn.

Have You Noticed These Bat Infestation Signs?

Roosting bats can be noisy; if you hear scratching, flapping, or chirping in your home, that’s a sign of invasion. Bat droppings or urine underneath entry points is another sign. Bat guano can contain histoplasmosis, and these animals can also spread rabies. You may have also noticed a lot of bats flying around your home.

Animal Capture Wildlife Control specializes in the safe and humane removal of big brown bats and other species from residences and businesses. With over 20 years of bat removal experience, we use exclusion techniques to prevent bat entry, and we can also assist with bat-proofing your home. Learn more about our services today.