Eeeek! You think you have a bat in your attic! What if there are more than one?! What do you do? Luckily this is a very common issue, and the experienced trappers and handlers at Minnesota Wild Animal Management are experienced and well-practiced in handling bats.
It may surprise you to know that MN is actually home to eight species of bats – one of which is considered an endangered species! What may ease your mind too, is that only two of the eight species are known to be issues within residences. We hear you though, “That’s two too many!” If you suspect that you may have a bat… or two… taking up residence in your attic space, don’t worry about trying to capture it yourself. Leave that work to the professionals, as it could prove to be dangerous!
Bats Can Be Problematic In More Ways Than One
Aside from being problematic noise makers during the nighttime hours when they are awake and moving around, bats have been known to carry several diseases. These diseases can be spread through their urine and fecal matter, all of which they leave around the spaces in your attic, making clean up difficult.
Signs You May Have Bats Living Inside Your Home
When bats enter a home, they may not make physical noises that are easily heard, but they typically make their presence known in one or more of several ways:
● Leave holes on the exterior of your home, stained with a black resin around the opening.
● High-pitched, quiet squeaking sounds that seem to originate from the walls and the attic area.
● A foul-smelling odor in the air (a pungent smell like ammonia).
● Dead bats around your property.
What To Do To Eliminate Bats
In many states, placing poison traps is illegal since bats are considered a vital part of the ecosystem. The best thing to do is to call in a professional wild animal removal company. You could also wait until the winter months when you are sure the bats will be gone, then seal up cracks and openings with boards, caulking, or screen mesh.
Preventing Bats From Returning
The late fall season is the best time to ensure that all openings to the residence are sealed off properly. Blocking entrances with any kind of materials (such as mylar tape) prove to be effective to prevent future entry. Some other things that have proven to work include the placement of mothballs, screen mesh, bright lights, and ultrasonic sound machines have all been reported as being effective in preventing a bat’s reentry.
Don’t let the bat(s) keep you up at night. Call Minnesota Wild Animal Management to find out how to not only remove the bat(s) humanely, but also work to identify potential entry places, clean up any mess that the bats left behind, and help to prevent future infestations. To find out more about how Minnesota Wild Animal Management can help you get rid of any problematic bats, give us a call today at (612) 386-1289.
