Bat House Forum

[Linzilu1982]

Ok hi bat lovers.. I am Lindsey from Central IL, Fulton County, and Lewistown to be exact. My parents bought a new home in November of last year and it is a brick home built in the 40's its made very strong. Well my parents decided to make me an apartment downstairs a few weeks ago and we bought a pool table off an old man who kept it in his basement and the outside door was always open to it and the basement was damp. Well a few nights ago we brought in the pool table and that night I was in my room and a bat started flying around my room. I freaked out and ran upstairs and my dad came down but was not able to catch it.

My question is this.. first I made him go up into the attic and there was no bats, nor was there any bat droppings. This is the first time we have seen the bat in the house and I think it came from the pool table. We took the pool table out and i have not been back downstairs since because i am terrified of bats. Is there a way of knowing if the bat is still around? If so he has been sleeping through some massive construction the last 2 days as my dad has used a table saw, air compresser, and nail gun to close up my bedroom so that the bat couldnt get in there.

At first I wanted to catch the bat and kill it however after doing some research online I do not have the heart to kill it. I just want it to go away and never bother my new apartment again.

Is it possible it could of been inside the pool table when we brought it downstairs? Also I only see it between 1-2 am which is weird because I thought they came out at dusk? Is there a way to make it wake up so that it will start flying when my dad is awake to help me catch it?

Help me please I am desperate.. and scared to death. I didnt think it was possible to be so scared of this thing but just the idea of going downstairs gives me panic attacks!

[Terry Lobdell]

Lyndsey, if you have a window open it will leave........it could have been in the pool table..........I commend you for having a change of heart about killing it...........bats do us a great service in the number of insects they consume.........if the bat is still trapped down there you would see it flying around at about dusk trying to get out...........and relax! I am around bats all the time and I've never had one so much as touch me!;) They will fly close to your head but they never run into people or get in people's hair. They are completely non-aggressive.......If you go a couple days without seeing the bat, it's most likely gone. hope this helps!

[Dave Miller]

If you have a fast internet connection, you should watch this video produced by Bat Conservation International.  It shows you how to safely remove a bat from a room (if it is not finding its way out an open window or door). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntAf-47gC7E

[Linzilu1982]

that does help thank you... we have seeled up my bedroom but I have inclosed pictures if you think there is any spots where the bat could be that I am just missed let me know. Also if the bat is still in my basement would it fly every night because I havent seen it since Friday and I was not sure if maybe it was sleeping or if I should see it every night.

Here are the pictures

[Terry Lobdell]

Lyndsey, I would say it's gone if you haven't seen it in a couple days............a word of caution.............if bats are in a room they like to roost in folds of fabric.........it's very common for them to be found in curtain folds up in attics.........if you take a clothing item off the rack just make sure the bat is not roosting within the clothing..........I think it's probably gone now though.......

[Gran]

if you take a clothing item off the rack just make sure the bat is not roosting within the clothing..........

I'm sure she will be much calmer now:

[IowaNate]

Lindsey, you are probably fine as it was more than likely just a bat that happened to find it's way indoors (please try not to be scared). I commend you on not wanting to kill it, as I have done some bat rehabilitation here in Iowa and they are wonderful little animals. And Terry is correct about bats not wanting to harm anyone, even the injured bats that I cared for never showed any intent on biting or aggression.

  If you see the bat again it can be easily caught when it lands using leather gloves or a towel and then escorted outside. 99.5% of bats are healthy and pose no risk of disease or harm. If you happen to come across the bat (or any bat) again just treat it as though it was baby bird...just be calm and gentle when encountering it if it is inside your home.

                             Nate

[Linzilu1982]

Hey Everyone just giving an update. I have been staying downstairs in my apt now for 2 weeks and it is coming up on 3 weeks already! I have not seen a bat since that faithful night and I am hoping it is gone for good!!

Other then checking every peice of clothes at least 5 times before I put it on I havent thought much about my bat visitor!

Thank you for all the help!

Oh and iowa nate you are cute lol you should know it!