Why do bats come into the house?

Bats seldom come into homes or hang around human dwellings unless there’s a clear attraction. Some people have recurrent bat problems which can be very frustrating.

First off, these flying mammals aren’t likable. Bats look scary.

Any homeowner will want to know why they’re continuously having or dealing with a bat problem. If this is a situation you face, this article will provide you with possible answers.

Multiple factors could lead to bat presence in and around homes. You’ll need to understand these factors to enhance your treatment strategies.

What Attracts Bats to Human Dwellings?

If you wonder what lures bats to your property, their presence could be influenced by several factors. Such factors include food, water, and shelter.

For bats, these three requirements are available in the wild.

At the same time, all three are available around human dwellings as well.

Sometimes, a single bat may mistakenly wander into a home through many entry points.

When such a situation is noticed, there’s no need for concern as the bat can be removed with the help of a wildlife conservation specialist or wildlife removal service.

I’ve had Multiple Bat Infestations; what could be the Problem?

There are cases of bat presence where homeowners have had to deal with multiple bat presence within the space of a year or less. If this sounds like your situation, it’s important to find answers.

The answer is quite simple; you’re likely having an infestation.

Maternal bat colonies begin when each female bat gives birth to a pup. Due to their stealth behavior, bats can remain unnoticed for extended periods (a year or more).

Some species breed twice a year while most breed once. By the time you find out, these nocturnal mammals may be running into the hundreds.

Reasons Why You’re Seeing Bats in Your Home

When bats continue to show up in your home even after having them removed, the colony size may have outgrown the space it was.

Also, bats could be influenced by weather conditions in addition to pup season.

Let’s discuss these points, shall we?

  • Colony Size

Because bats live in colonies, there comes a time when such a colony outgrows the space being occupied. This is most evident when such bats live in your attic.

An overpopulated bat colony will result in some members straying beyond their dwellings. You may find these nocturnal creatures in the basement or other sections of your home.

Now, having such bat(s) removed might not solve the problem as long as the colony remains in the attic. This leads to a recurring problem of bat presence in your home.

More drastic action will have to be taken like calling for professional assistance in relocating bat colonies.

  • Weather

Weather conditions influence bat presence in homes in several ways.

First, there’s disorientation caused by changes in the transition time between seasons. This is especially true between winter and spring.

Here, the circadian rhythm is altered, thus leading to wandering bats that end up in homes.

Secondly, when bats set up colonies in your attic, continuous rains might hinder them from going out. Because they want to move around, you may find these nocturnal creatures in your home.

This will be most common during times of continuous rainfall.

  • Pup Season

Another reason why bats keep coming into a home is due to the inability of the young ones to fly.

This mostly happens when the bat moms teach their young how to fly. These mammals tend to venture out on their own when they’re a bit grown.

However, such action doesn’t always end well as they lose contact with members of their colony, thus ending in unlikely places like homes.

Ways Bats Get into Homes

Having discussed the “why” of frequent bat presence in homes, it’s necessary to also consider how they got into your home in the first place.

It doesn’t matter where they are located within the structure, knowing the possible entryways enables you to bat-proof your home.

Bats are likely to get in through many entry points that include windows & framing, fascia boards, roofing, sidings, chimney, walls, vents, and spaces not frequently used.

Unless these points are screened off or blocked completely, you’re likely to keep having bat issues.

  • Windows & Framing

Open windows and framing serve as an open invitation to bats.

These flying mammals will readily swoop into your private space and take up residence for as long as the condition remains suitable.

Sometimes, their presence may not be noticed for extended periods.

  • Fascia Boards

Outer structural components such as your fascia boards are continually exposed to the elements. These could easily deteriorate, leading to wood rot.

With a rotten fascia, it’s easy for bats to access spaces created to nest within your attic or roof.

  • Roofing

Your home’s roofing can become an easy entry point for bats especially when it’s cracked. Bats are known to squeeze through tiny holes and take up residence for as long as nothing’s done to get them out.

You’ll need to have your roof checked and caulked where necessary.

  • Sidings

When sidings steadily deteriorate due to rot, they become or create easy access points for bats to get in. You might notice a more frequent bat presence in your home due to the opening created.

  • Chimney

Your chimney could serve as a ready nesting ground as well as a passageway for bats into your home. This is mostly the case when the chimney has no cap.

It’s easier to have the chimney opening fixed in spring by having a cap installed.

  • Walls

Sometimes, walls develop cracks or gaps due to settling among other conditions. When these gaps are formed on walls, it creates an entryway into your home.

A variety of pests, including bats, will exploit such gaps to get in.

Now you have an idea about why bats keep coming into your home. What remains is to take necessary actions to have them excluded. Call wildlife conservation specialists or wildlife control for your exclusion needs.

Also, have your home bat-proofed to prevent future bat presence.

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