Bats are helpful when they’re outside, but they can be menaces in your home. They squeak, they scratch and they spread disease. Once they’re in your home, they’re difficult to remove in a humane and safe manner, especially without expert help. Here’s how you can steer bats away from your home.
Chimney Screens
Bats love dark places, and one of the areas where you’re likely to find bats in your home is the chimney. Fortunately, you can buy chimney screens to protect your chimney from these pests. Look for a steel or copper mesh cap to place at the top of your chimney, as well as screens to put up around the fireplace when it’s not in use.
Seal Cracks and Crevices
Like most pests, bats will not fight hard to get into your home. However, if they encounter an easy entry point, like a crack in the exterior walls, they’ll fly right in. Check the exterior to see if you can figure out where bats may try getting in, and get those spots sealed. Other pests, like mice and squirrels, enter the same way, so this can help prevent more than just bats.
Keep Doors and Windows Shut
If you’ve inspected your home, and there are no cracks in the interior or exterior walls, bats may be flying in through open doors or windows. Make sure your windows and doors are securely shut at all times. You may need weatherstripping on your doors or caulk on your windows if you can’t figure out how they’re getting in.
Install a Bat House
You can deter bats from entering your home by building a home for them! Bat houses sometimes take a while to attract bats, but once they do, they can be a great solution for homeowners (and they’re also great when it comes to keeping insects at bay). Install a bat house or bat box at least 10 feet above ground, ideally 12 feet or higher. Choose a sunny location on the east or south side of your home so bats can get about 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Do routine maintenance on the house once a year when bats aren’t inside.
Declutter Outdoors
Leaves and branches create dark, sheltered spots where bats love to roost. Removing debris from your yard on a regular basis can help prevent several types of pest infestations. A clean yard has less risk of attracting most pets, especially ones like bats that love to hide and aren’t picky about where.
When bats find their way into your home, they can destroy property and spread disease. The best way to avoid a bat infestation is to avoid attracting these pests to your home. Think you may be in need of Des Moines bat removal services? Call Pro-Staff at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.
