Bats are fascinating, intelligent creatures and can be beneficial for our environment (they eat mosquitos!), but they can also become a nuisance when they gain access to our homes. If you suspect you have them in your home, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible and strategize how to get rid of bats. They can carry diseases such as rabies, and their droppings can be hazardous to the health of animals and people.

Additionally, bats can cause expensive damage to your home’s insulation and electrical wiring, racking up hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs if left to rule the roost. Here are five ways that bats can enter your home.

1. Vents and Drains

Attic vents and dryer exhaust ports are particularly vulnerable. Bats can easily crawl through openings as small as a quarter of an inch, so it’s important to ensure all vents are properly screened. Drain pipes may also be a dark and safe place for a bat to hide. Professional installation of prevention screens can help help you avoid bat removal in Barrie. 

2. Rotting Siding

Inspect the exterior of your home for small openings in rotting or damaged siding. Over time, weather and pests can cause the siding to deteriorate, providing a perfect entry point for bats. Homeowners should address any issues promptly, especially as the weather becomes more tolerable.

3. Open Windows

Make sure your windows are properly screened and do not have any gaps or tears. Bats can fly through open windows, especially at night when they are most active. As spring and summer approach, it may be more tempting to leave your windows cracked at night. This is the easiest way for bats to enter your home. 

4. Under the Fascia

While it may seem unlikely, bats and squeeze under the fascia boards on your roofline. These small gaps can be difficult to spot, but they can provide a perfect entry point for bats. Wind, weather and damage from tree branches can cause your fascia to become penetrable. Plus, bats are flexible and small enough to squeeze through places you may not expect. 

5. Chimneys

Bats can enter your home through chimneys that do not have proper chimney caps, or where bricks in the chimney stack itself have become dilapidated. Homes are not always proactively designed against bats. Baby bats especially will be born this time of year and can wriggle into tiny spaces. Homes with attics, chimneys, and other small openings are especially vulnerable to bat infestations. Chimney caps can be easily installed to prevent bats and other wildlife from entering the home through the chimney.

When Do Bats Return in the Spring?

In the Barrie area, bats typically return around mid-April when the weather begins to warm up. The exact timing of their return can vary depending on the species of bat, as well as the weather conditions in a given year. This year’s Old Farmer’s Almanac says that May could be slightly warmer than average, so expect bats to roost at least by then, if not sooner. 

Skedaddle Knows How To Get Rid of Bats

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we specialize in humane bat control services. We use a variety of techniques, including exclusion and one-way doors to safely and effectively remove bats from your home.

Our technicians are trained and experienced in bat removal and exclusion, and we use only the most humane and effective methods. We also offer a lifetime warranty on all of our exclusion work, giving you peace of mind that your bat problem will be solved for good.

If you’re in need of humane bat control services in Barrie, contact Skedaddle today. Our team of experts can safely and effectively remove bats from your home and provide solutions to prevent future infestations.