Hearing fluttering in your attic? Noticing small squeaks at dusk? If bats have set up camp in your home, you’re likely wondering what to do next. But before you take any action, there’s something every homeowner must understand—maternity season.

Maternity season is a specific time of year when mother bats care for their newborns. Are you ready to learn how to get rid of bats the right way? For anyone hoping to remove bats from their property, timing is everything. 

Acting too soon could leave helpless baby bats stranded while delaying too long could lead to more issues for your home. Why is timing so important, and what’s the humane way to deal with bats? Stick with us as we break it all down.

Bat Reproduction 101: A Seasonal Process

Before you can understand why timing matters in humane bat removal, it’s helpful to know how bats reproduce. Unlike many other animals, bats follow a unique and carefully timed process to ensure their young are born under the best conditions.

Bats typically mate in the fall, just before heading into hibernation for the winter. However, unlike many species, female bats hold off on fertilization until spring. This fascinating process, called delayed implantation, ensures that pups are born during warmer months when food is plentiful and conditions are ideal for survival.

Bats aren’t monogamous and don’t mate for life. After mating in the fall, males and females go their separate ways. Come spring, the females regroup to form a bat maternity colony, communal spaces where they can safely raise their young.

How many pups do bats have? Most species of bats are not highly prolific breeders. Typically, a female bat will give birth to just one pup each year. This slow reproduction rate makes population recovery challenging, especially if bat colonies are disturbed or improperly removed. It also underscores why protecting them during maternity season is critical.

Bat Removal Done Right: Protecting Pups and Ensuring Humane Timing

By late spring or early summer (May to July in regions like Niagara), female bats give birth to their pups. Baby bats, or pups, are born blind, hairless, and entirely dependent on their mothers for survival. For about six weeks, these young ones stay in the roost while their mothers leave at night to hunt insects. Until they can fly and fend for themselves, pups cannot survive without their mothers.

If a colony is disrupted during this delicate stage, pups could be left behind as mothers are forced to flee. This not only threatens the survival of the pups but also creates an inhumane and unnecessarily stressful situation.

Timing is key. Bat removal is not just about getting them out—it’s about doing so responsibly and ethically. The best time to address an infestation is after their pups have matured and are capable of flying, typically in late summer to early fall. At this point, entire colonies can safely leave your property without harm.

Why Bats Choose Your Property 

You might be asking, “Why my home?” It turns out, bats are pretty specific about their living conditions. Bats often seek out warm, sheltered spaces. Attics, barns, and even wall voids provide the perfect environment for raising their young. These spaces offer consistent temperatures, protection from predators, and safety from the elements.

How do you spot a bat maternity colony? If bats have moved into your property, there will usually be signs. Listen for high-pitched squeaks coming from walls or the attic, look for droppings near entry points, and watch for bats flying out at dusk. Identifying these clues early can make the process of removal smoother.

The Risks of an Infestation 

When bats make their way into your home, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks they can bring. Here are some simple points to understand:

• Health Concerns: Accumulation of droppings, known as guano, can lead to respiratory issues like histoplasmosis. While rare, some bats may carry rabies, emphasizing the need to be cautious and not ignore the risk.
• Structural Damage: Guano and urine from bats can damage insulation and wood over time, potentially causing costly repairs.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Bats are protected species in Canada, and it is crucial to handle their removal in a humane and responsible manner. Harmful removal methods are both illegal and harmful to bat populations.

If you suspect a bat infestation, here are some warning signs to look out for:

1. High-pitched squeaks coming from walls or the attic.
2. Droppings near entry points.
3. Bats flying out at dusk.
4. Presence of a strong ammonia-like odour.
5. Stains or greasy markings near entry points.

Remember, it’s important to handle removal with care and respect for these crucial creatures. Seek professional assistance from a wildlife specialist who can ensure a safe and humane removal process, adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.

Humane Removal Starts with Timing 

One essential truth bears repeating—removing bats during their maternity season can have disastrous effects. Here’s why timing makes all the difference:

• Avoiding Harm to Them: Removing bats during the maternity season can leave pups to die, which is both inhumane and illegal. To protect these crucial creatures and promote their well-being, it’s important to understand the optimal time for removal and prevention strategies.
• Optimal Time for Removal: Late summer to early fall is the best time for removal once pups are old enough to fly. This ensures that the colony remains intact while minimizing harm to individual bats.
• Long-Term Prevention: Preventing re-entry without causing harm is essential for long-term management. Here are some strategies to consider:
• Seal Entry Points: Carefully inspect your home for potential entry points, such as gaps, cracks, or broken vents, and seal them properly to discourage re-entry.
• Install Bat Houses: Provide alternative roosting options by installing bat houses nearby to attract the bats away from your home.
• Use Exclusion Devices: Install one-way exclusion devices, such as netting or tubes, to allow bats to exit but prevent their re-entry.
• Trim Vegetation: Keep trees and branches trimmed away from your home to reduce access points for bats.
• Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly clean and maintain your property, including removing debris and trimming overgrown vegetation to discourage bat roosting.

By following these strategies, you can ensure the safe and humane removal of bats from your property while promoting their conservation and protecting the delicate balance of our ecosystem. Remember, seeking professional assistance is crucial to ensure proper execution and compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.

Expert Help for Humane Bat Removal 

Need help dealing with bats in your home? Here at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we specialize in safe, ethical removal methods. Our process doesn’t involve live trapping but instead uses one-way doors to allow bats to exit your home while preventing them from coming back in. Afterward, we seal entry points to keep them out for good.

Our team understands the importance of timing and always ensures every step is taken to protect both bats and homeowners. Humane removal isn’t just about doing what’s legally required—it’s about doing what’s right.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of bats or when you can get rid of bats, don’t leave it to chance. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Niagara today. From addressing your current issues to preventing future ones, we’ve got you covered. Request a quote today!