Why do I get one or two bats inside the living area of my house each year?
Contrary to popular belief, most bats in your living area entered via the attic and followed drafts into the warmer living space and NOT through a door or window. If more than one bat is found in your living space, even a year apart, it becomes a near certainty that you have a colony present in your home.
Can bats damage my insulation?
Bat guano and urine can contaminate and flatten your insulation, necessitating it’s removal and replacement. Damaged insulation greatly diminishes the R-value of your insulation, or it’s ability to hold in warm or cool air. This can lead to further issues like ice dams and water damage, making insulation replacement vital.
Can a bat give you rabies?
Yes. You should never touch a bat, and if one is found in your living area it is best to have it rabies tested, particularly if it occurred while people were sleeping or in the presence of children, the infirm, or the elderly.
How can I get them out of my house?
Bat colonies are removed from structures using a process called an eviction. Repairs will be effected over all potential entry points to your structure except the primary routes of entry the bats are using. Bat valves are placed over those active entry points and left on for a period of time. This allows bats to exit the structure, but does not permit reentry. Evictions can be completed during bats’ active season but outside the blackout period.
What is the “blackout period” people mention regarding bats?
Bats are nursing non-volent (non-flying) juveniles between June 1st and August 15th. We cannot perform an eviction during that time period as the juveniles are unable to themselves leave, and would die without food being brought back in to them.
How can I keep bats out of my house?
The repairs that are needed to keep bats from returning to your structure are the same ones needed to complete their eviction. Both active and inactive entry points must be fully excluded to ensure no re-entry occurs.
What should I do if there is a bat in my house?
Isolate the bat into a room if at all possible. Close the door and place a towel under the crack at the bottom, then call a professional to come remove it and submit it for rabies testing.
Why do inactive entry points need to be sealed, can’t we just put cones on the main ones and finish the eviction?
Bats will hang around a structure for days after an eviction, attempting to gain re-entry. If another entry point exists, they are likely to find it and use it. They follow drafts, and those drafts will lead them to the entries.
Can my homeowner’s insurance help cover this expense?
Some policies do cover the repair of an attic space after it is damaged by bats. Consult your agent or a public adjuster for more information. We can provide a referral upon request. Generally speaking, insurance will not cover dealing with the bat itself, but it will cover home repairs and anything required to bring the R-value of your insulation back up to code. Coverage is typically subject to a deductible.
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