The bats have inspired all kinds of stories and myths for generations, however, although some species are part of the animals that they feed on blood, we know that most are completely harmless. Still, you may not like their presence in your home and wonder how to keep bats away.
Currently, the habits of bats, added to deforestation, have caused both species to coexist in the same habitat. But, how to drive away bats? In this article on our site we will share with you some non-harmful remediesand very effective. Read on to meet them!
Why scare away bats?
Bats are flying mammals not dangerous to humans, however, through their foul-smelling feces, called " guano ", can transmit certain diseases, such as viruses, rickettsiae, bacteria, spirochetes, leptospires, fungi, protozoa, and helminths[1]
Another reason may be the noise they make at night. But in addition, and especially in the most developed countries, bats have become the most important source of infection of animal rabies, both for people and for animals. domestic animals, causing a complex epidemiological situation[2]
Can I use bat poison?
Evaluating different options to know how to drive them away, many people even consider using bat poison and even seek to know how to make poison home. However, it is something that we should never do. Aside from the fact that using poison poses a significant risk to young children and pets, the vast majority of bat species are in danger of extinction, for what killing them is an environmental crime
Likewise, we remember that bats play a very important role in ecosystems, as they feed on a large number of insects, thus controlling their population. In fact, some people consider installing bat nests to fight mosquitoes. They also stand out for being pollinating animals For all these reasons, we also do not recommend scaring away bats with ultrasound.
The methods to scare away bats at home should be focused on getting rid of them, whether they are a few or an entire colony, without causing them harm or causing them discomfortTo do this, it is necessary to know that these animals leave their nests at night to feed and return with the first light of day. In addition, they prefer dark and small places to live, so chimneys, attics, low ceilings, attics, beams and any crack that exists outside is a good place to take refuge.
Repelling bats at home
Before you chase away the bats, you need to know that they don't just take shelter to sleep, they also use the nest forraise and protect the youngest specimens during the first weeks of life. Because of this, it is important to identify the species of bat that nests in your home before using home methods to scare them away.
The reason is simple: if you chase away the adult specimens during the breeding season, the babies will not be able to survive on their own, they will die of starvation and that will bring you more problems, like rotting and unpleasant smells.
Observing bats as they leave the nest can help you identify them. A more effective option is to contact the protection centers in your community, since there are different species of these flying mammals in each region. Once identified, you can choose the best time to start the process of scaring them away, remember to do it outside the breeding season.
Repel bats with mothballs
naphthalene is a remedy frequently used as a homemade bat repeller Wherein lies its effectiveness? It is an aromatic hydrocarbon whose pungent odor is very unpleasant for bats. It should be used when they have left the nest to feed, spreading the product in considerable quantities. When it's time to return, the scent will deter bats from re-entering the house.
Naphthalene, however, is toxic to humans and pets. In addition, it is highly flammable, so it should only be handled and used by professionals using protective measures, such as gloves, masks and disposable safety clothing.
Repel bats with lights
Bats are nocturnal, preferring to sleep during the day and feed at night. One way to scare them away is to locate the space where they live and install strong lighting that makes it uncomfortable for them to rest. Many people wonder if bats are blind, but the truth is that they are not.
Ideally, install when they are away, ie at night, and keep the lights on to deter them from coming back. This method can be effective, but it has a weak point: any space with less lighting or where shadows form will become a possible nest.
Most effective method to keep bats away from the house
The most effective method to get rid of bats is to prevent them from entering the home, it is the only way to achieve it without causing harm or putting the family at risk. To do this, the following is recommended:
1. Detect nest locations
The presence of bats can be guessed by the noise caused by the colonies on the ceilings and spaces they inhabit. However, guano is the indisputable indicator, it is characterized by having a rounded and brittle shape with a strong musky odor. If it's fruit-eating bats, you may also find gnawed pieces in your garden.
two. Discover the species
When you have located the space where the bats live, wait until nightfall to watch them come out. Pay attention to its external characteristics so that you can detect the species In this step, you can consult with specialists to determine which species are typical of your locality. Once you locate the species, you will know what stage of life it is in and, therefore, you will know when you can drive them away without affecting the breeding season.
3. Wait for them to come out
How to drive away bats from the house is very simple when you verify that the specimens that live there are adults. For a couple of days, pay attention to their habits, that is, make sure of the time they leave the place where they live. In this way, when they do, it will be the ideal moment to apply the method that will prevent them from entering again.
4. Seal all entries
The best way to repel bats at home is to prevent them from re-entering your home. When everyone is out, worry about sealing the cracks and fissures they use to enter. The materials will depend on the place where they have been installed, it can be plaster, metal grids, cement, clay, among others.
5. Deep cleaning
Once the entrances are sealed, it's time to do a Thorough cleaning Bat guano is toxic, so cleanup should be be done with gloves, a mask and an eye protector, in addition to a change of clothes that will then be discarded. The ideal is to loosen the dry feces with spatulas, dispose of them in hermetic bags and, later, carry out a deep disinfection with bleach.
The naphthalene can also be used in this case in order to scare away the bats when they return to your house, however, the most important thing is to seal the cracks they use to enter.
During this entire process, it is recommended that you have the advice of people belonging to protection centers or agricultural and livestock services in your area. In many areas, they could be in charge of scaring away the bats to relocate them in a more suitable space, always ensuring their well-being. In the same way, these organizations could be in charge of carrying out a professional cleaning and checking possible critical points in your home to prevent bats from nesting there again.
