Bats are part of a chain that brings the whole ecosystem into balance. Bats play a vital role in an ecosystem as insect population control, especially in areas like Michigan. But having bats in one home may otherwise bring very serious health risks and structural damage that may prove expensive to repair.
This guide will give detailed, effective ways to get rid of bats in your house while operating in accordance with Michigan laws.
How to Identify Signs of Bats in Your Home?
Before taking any action, it is wise to confirm that bats are present. An indication of such might include hearing nocturnal noises, such as scratching, chirping, or fluttering from walls, attics, or ceilings.
These bat droppings (guano) really smell of ammonia because of accumulated droppings usually found inside an attic or around entrances and window sills. On the other hand, if one sees bats flying around the house at twilight or dark stains on the walls, especially near roof or vent openings, it would be safe to say these signs may strongly indicate an infestation.
There are multiple ways to eliminate bats from your homes and buildings in Michigan.
4 Steps to Getting Rid of Bats Around Homes and Buildings
1. Timing is Everything
What season are you in, Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall? In every season, bats have different rates of vacating your home or building. More importantly, timing comes into play when it concerns maternity colonies.
Bats, typical of anywhere in Michigan, normally give birth to pups from late May to early August. By then, most of the pups cannot fly; therefore, conducting live bat exclusion could be considered cruel and possibly illegal. Only professional wildlife removal experts in Michigan can determine whether a female bat colony is present on-site.
2. Locate Entry Points (Inspection)
Where are the bats getting in? During the day on a sunny day, check for missing roof shingles, rotten eaves, openings in soffits, etc. Then go around your home (to every side) one clear and warm summer evening before dusk and pay attention to any bat activity. Other signs of entry may be greasy brown smudges or tracks around entrance points.
3. Bats Evacuation
After confirmation of the entry points, it will be important to let the bats fly out unimpeded. This is done by attaching an exclusion tube or bat netting over the entry point, the so-called one-way door. Caution: You should not wait for the night for the bats to exit and seal them out.
Not every bat in the colony will leave the same night. After installing exclusion devices, it is vital to seal all other probable entry points in the house, or bats will just find another entry.
4. Preventing Further Entry of Bats
Now that you are able to identify the main entry points and the bat exclusion devices are installed, it is time to seal the rest of the house. This very critical step will ensure that everything you have done is not for nothing.
Sealing the other entrance points is done while the one-way doors are being installed. Bats can get into gaps as small as 0.5 inches high and 1.5 inches wide. As a rule of thumb, we seal off any areas that are 0.25 inches or greater just to guarantee no re-entry.
Conclusion
Bats are beneficial to Michigan’s environment, but they should not be living inside homes or buildings. By using humane removal methods, sealing entry points, and implementing preventative measures, you can effectively resolve bat infestations. If you need assistance, professional wildlife removal experts in Michigan can ensure a safe and permanent solution.
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