Bat House Forum

[Joe W.]

My family has a seasonal home at a nearby lake.  We generally close it in late November and open it again in late March, after which it's used primarily on the weekends.   Over the years we've had bats flying through the house, usually late at night.  This year I also found a few dead bats when I arrived.  These are small brown bats.  I think there are a few nesting in the attic.  I see 2 or 3 flying around the house in the evening, but I haven't been able to see where they come out.

This February I would like to bat proof the attic before the bats return.  Some suggestions I've seen on the net are:

Seal all cracks.  Tough to do because it's an old house and I've seen a bat come out of a crack the size of a quarter edge on.

Leave bright lights on in the attic all the time.

Hang strips of aluminum foil or mylar baloons in the attic. 

Install an attic vent fan to make the attic cooler which may discourage the bats from nesting.  I'll probably do this anyway.

Any other non-lethal, non-chemical solutions?  

[Joe Spencer]

Are you in the states (Canada?) and if so which one?


"This February I would like to bat proof the attic before the bats return.  Some suggestions I've seen on the net are:"

Seal all cracks.  Tough to do because it's an old house and I've seen a bat come out of a crack the size of a quarter edge on.

 Do an exclusion at the proper time (fall). However, if you have big brown bats which frequently overwinter in buildings you can accidentally seal them inside (major problem for them and you).  Try to determine the species.  Little brown bats do not hibernate/over-winter in dwellings.
 
http://www.batcon.org/home/index.asp?idPage=51&idSubPage=48

Leave bright lights on in the attic all the time.    Does not deter them.

Hang strips of aluminum foil or mylar baloons in the attic.  Does not deter them.

Install an attic vent fan to make the attic cooler which may discourage the bats from nesting.  I'll probably do this anyway.  Rarely effective.

Any other non-lethal, non-chemical solutions?   Yes.  Give them an alternative home such as well designed bat houses.

Check out our site for help and also http://www.batcon.org for more information.

[Joe W.]

I'm in the states, Western Pennsylvania. 

I'm pretty sure these are small brown bats.  If I find a dead one I'll post a picture.  After Labor day I don't see them flying around any more.

There's a detached garage on the property and this year 2 bats nested in the garage.  I though I could make the ones in the attic move to the garage if I made it uncomfortable for them.  I'm willing to try a bat house though.  How far away from th e house should it be?  Can I mount it on a nearby tree?

I just don't want to end up with bats in the attic, the garage and the bat house.

 

[Terry Lobdell]

Trees do not work........The bat house has to have lots of sun. The high temperatures are what attract the bats........thats why they often roost in attics.........One of the best things to discourage bats is a white roof...........I've never seen little brown bats roost in an attic of a house with a white roof. Big brown bats sometimes do but rarely in large numbers.........

Mount the bat house nearby in full sun if you can............The links Joe Spencer posted have info that pretty much cover what you need to know........ 

What area of Western Pa do you live? I live in Crawford County.........

[Joe W.]

Hi;

My place is in Crawford County too.  Near Pymatuning lake just south of Linesville.

[Terry Lobdell]

I may be putting up a bat house for a guy right in Linesville this summer. He says he has 500+ little brown bats in his attic.......