What to do if a bat flies into your apartment?

Signs of bats

Bats live in warm places inhabited by humans - in the attic, balcony, barn, summer cottage, and can also fly into living quarters. They are very agile and can squeeze into gaps of 1-1.5 cm.

There are a large number of methods for breeding bats that help solve the problem.

The main reason for the appearance of animals in a house or country house is the search for shelter for reproduction, so most often it is not individual individuals that appear, but entire colonies. In the spring, their number increases significantly, and by August the grown offspring begin to fly, then the problem becomes obvious.

Constant rustling, squeaking and the possibility of suddenly flying into an apartment can create a feeling of fear even in those who have strong nerves.

The appearance of bats can be determined long before this moment by the following signs:

• The appearance of extraneous noise and squeaking at night.
• When inspecting the premises, traces of fur can be identified.
• The appearance of a sharp unpleasant odor.
• In settlement areas there will certainly be round-shaped animal excrement, called guano, and urine stains.

Based on its habitat and nutritional characteristics, the animal is not classified as a pest.
A subtle sign of the appearance of bats is a decrease in the number of mosquitoes and midges and beetles on which they feed, which bring undoubted benefits. Some species of animals eat fruit, so they can significantly spoil the harvest. But the most important danger is the likelihood of infection due to the bite of these creatures, since they are carriers of dangerous diseases. Therefore, it is better to get rid of such a neighborhood in a timely manner.

Very rarely does a bat come into contact with people, since it lives in dark, inaccessible areas.

Bat repellents

Since these are rare animals, many of whose species are in the Red Book, you should not be cruel or use inhumane methods when breeding them. The desire to drive mice away from your territory is quite natural. Therefore, below we will tell you how to drive out a bat using popular and effective methods.

For a private home

If you are the happy owner of your own home within the city or outside the city, you can use the following tips to get rid of mice. You should wait until the animals start flying to hunt. At this point, seal the holes through which uninvited guests enter your territory.

Some homeowners choose to smoke out mice with a smoker. But this procedure will need to be carried out repeatedly, since the animals have time to get used to their new place of residence.

These creatures also cannot tolerate water. Which can also be used in the fight against them. To do this, you need to use a hose to arrange a shower for the mice. Since they do not immediately understand the hints, the procedure will also need to be repeated several times.

You can hide your hair under a headscarf or hood and take children and pets out of the room. Next, open the window or door to the street, and close the door from the rooms to the corridor or adjacent ones. This is necessary so as not to chase the animal around all the premises. Take a towel or pillowcase, which you need to wave, driving the mouse towards the window. Some try to grab the animal with their hand. It is not advisable to do this, but if you do decide, at least wear thick gloves. Then, if an adult bites you, it will not be able to infect you with rabies. Sometimes the animal can be covered with a box or pan on top. Be sure to place a cutting board or cardboard under the container, and only then remove it from the table. Some homeowners are able to hang a sheet indoors and wait for a mouse to fly onto it. But this method cannot be called effective. Since the result is not guaranteed, and it will take a lot of time to wait.

Some owners of private houses use both methods in combination. First, the mice are driven out by treating the room with a spray, and then an ultrasonic repeller is installed for preventive purposes.

They also recommend making a small house in the garden for uninvited guests. Then you can lure the mice there. And they will not disturb you with noises, sounds, appearance, and will even help clean the garden from harmful insects.

For apartments

Since in urban dwellings animals choose loggias and ventilation systems for their habitat, the methods of sealing cracks discovered during inspection and smoking out work here too.

They also recommend using bags of mothballs. Because the smell of this substance is unpleasant for animals. Of course, this is more of a deterrent. And removal using this method will take a lot of time. But as a result, uninvited guests will leave your territory.

Many people have a dislike for bats, a fear of them since childhood. This is facilitated by many superstitions, mystical stories, films associated with such creatures. Therefore, they do not want to fight the animals on their own. There is a way out - you need to call a special team. Its specialists most often lift floorboards where mice can live. So be prepared for this.

When only one animal is found indoors, there is no need to begin a merciless removal. You just need to open the window, and then the animal that happens to be with you will painlessly leave your territory.

After getting rid of animals using any of the above methods, it is recommended to carefully surround the entrances to the home with fiberglass and seal any cracks found. Fiberglass is irritating to the skin of bats. Therefore, animals will not poke their noses into the dwelling around which it is located. By creating a reliable barrier, you don’t have to worry about mice ever entering your area and causing discomfort.

How to get rid of bats

There are several methods for removing bats from your home, but in any case, you should know how to do it correctly. Some countries have laws aimed at protecting bats from extermination. There is also a certain period when getting rid of animals is not recommended. This should not be done in the cold season - in winter bats hibernate, all metabolic processes in the body slow down, so the animals may die.

Bats can even be useful. For example, gardeners, summer residents.

After the birth of the offspring, it is impossible to drive away the adults, since the cubs will be doomed to a painful death by starvation. In addition, dead animals can cause an unpleasant odor and the spread of infection. Therefore, the procedure is carried out before their birth or after the feeding stage. Poisoning and killing bats is strictly prohibited, so the methods of control presented below are the most humane and effective.

It is prohibited to remove a bat using poisons and chemicals.

How to behave correctly?

If a bat is found in the house, you need to remain calm. There is no need to kill the chiroptera: it is a living creature that entered a residential building completely by accident - it flew into a window, door or across a balcony.

First, you need to escort adults and children out of the room - they can either get hurt themselves or damage the chiroptera. What to do next with the bat depends on the situation.

Bat in the apartment

Chemical methods of control

This method involves the use of special chemicals aimed at repelling bats. They should be used when animals leave their home in search of food.

When choosing products, they rely on their ease of use, the number of mice living in the attic or barn, and the price.

• Special repellents. Animal habitats and openings through which they enter the room are treated with aerosols.
• Mothballs. The smell of mothballs repels bats, and over time they leave their favorite place. Since the smell dissipates over time, the procedure should be repeated.

Bats are extremely sensitive to its intrusive odor.

Important! Naphthalene is a hazard class 4 chemical whose vapors pose a threat to human health. The placement of this chemical in residential areas is prohibited.

Naphthalene can be a real help in the fight against bats.

Effective methods of control

There are many options explaining how to get rid of bats in the country. Choose a control method based on the simplicity of the method and the number of individuals living in the country.

Chemicals

The use of such products is not recommended. Remember that bats are protected by law and it is better not to destroy them. Bats can also get trapped in a crack and die in a hard-to-reach place, emitting a foul odor as they decompose.

Therefore, when choosing a pesticide, give preference to aerosols. For example, 876 4-Pack BatRepellent, which includes peppermint. The product is sprayed on the habitats of bats (strictly in their absence). The smell of chemicals will scare away the animals.

Use chemicals only in non-residential areas where there are no pets. When working with drugs, do not forget about personal protective measures (masks and gloves).

Repellers

To find out how to get rid of bats in your country house, consider using special devices - ultrasonic repellers. This is a safe and effective method. When operating, the repeller emits ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 35-60 kHz. They are not detected by humans and are harmless to them. But mice are sensitive to radiation and cannot tolerate it.

Using the device is simple - it is connected to a power outlet and the operating mode is set. After 1.5-2 weeks, the bats will leave their homes.

Among the most effective repellers are the following:

In rare cases, ultrasonic repellers can trigger migraines in people with high sensitivity. Therefore, it is better not to stay within the range of the device for a long time.

Traditional methods

Study time-tested folk methods that explain how to get rid of bats in the country.

What means do you use to combat bats?

PopularRepellers

All these methods are absolutely safe and do not require material costs:

• Water . Chiropterans do not like humidity and will never settle in damp places. To expel mice, you need to spray their holes with water daily.
• Naphthalene . The animals have an excellent sense of smell and cannot tolerate strong odors, which include naphthalene. In order to combat uninvited guests, mothballs or pieces are laid out in their habitats (they are first placed in gauze bags).
• Light . Chiropterans will never return to their burrows unless it is dark. Place several powerful light sources in such a way as to illuminate the mice’s hiding places, and after 2-3 days the animals will leave this area.
• Polyurethane foam . It is needed to tightly seal all the cracks possible for penetration. But be sure to make sure that there are no animals in the holes, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to get rid of the stench later if the mice die in closed places.
• Smoker . Chiropterans cannot tolerate the smell of smoke. To smoke animals from your favorite territory, use a smoker for 2-3 days.
• Fans . Try using a fan as well, directing the air flow into the mouse den.
• Loud sounds . Although this method has not been proven to work, try scaring away a family of mice with the sounds of loud music.

Expert opinion

Mityuk Stefania Bogdanovna

If all methods have been tried, but stubborn bats are not drowning in leaving their homes, contact a specialist. Professionals will explain how to get rid of bats in your dacha and help you with this. SES representatives have all modern equipment. They will quickly and reliably get rid of bats.

Traditional methods of repelling bats

Traditional methods are less effective and are observed only after some time, but it is still worth a try.

• Additional lighting. Bright light discourages nocturnal creatures, so you can install lamps and leave the light on at night.
• Water. Since bats prefer only warm and dry places, you can water the room within reasonable limits so as not to damage the property. Dampness will definitely discourage guests. In addition, you can direct a stream of water directly at the animals, then they will certainly fly away, but they may soon return.
• Spraying smoke. To do this, you need to light a fire in a tin can, and then smoke out the animals using smoke. This procedure will have to be carried out over several days.
• Use of a fan. The disadvantage of this method is that it will only work if the air flow is directed directly at the animals.

Note! Due to the low effectiveness of these methods, it is recommended to use them as additional means.

What should you not do if a bat flies into your house?

If a bat flies into a house or onto a balcony, it is unacceptable to catch it with your bare hands: the bite of the animal can lead to serious, including incurable, diseases.

Chasing a chiroptera in a room, knocking it down with a mop or a broom is unacceptable - you can cripple the animal or collide with it yourself and get bitten.

If a bat is caught, it does not need to be thrown out a window or over a balcony - it must fly away on its own.

On the loose

Important ! It is unacceptable to use bait or aerosols with chemicals - many species of bats are protected by law, so you can receive a large fine for your actions.

Application of electrical appliances

Particularly popular are special electrical devices that affect bats using ultrasound. Sound waves of variable frequency through the hearing organs have an effect on the nervous system of animals, so they leave their habitats. The effect does not occur immediately, it usually takes two or three weeks.

The ultrasonic bat repeller acts quite humanely towards the animals.

The devices differ in some characteristics:

• by purpose: for animals, insects or universal;
• by installation location: indoors and outdoors;
• by mounting method: stationary and wall-mounted;
• by impact: with different frequencies.
• according to the zone (area) of the device.

A device that emits ultrasound waves repels critters from the attic and prevents them from returning.

Important! Such devices are completely safe for people, since humans are not sensitive to sound waves in this range. But if you have pets, you should remember that the effect of the device will also apply to them. It is recommended to isolate pets during installation of the device.

May-July is the breeding season for bats, so it is recommended to get rid of bat colonies either before May or after July.

Bats: pests or not?

There are many superstitions and prejudices associated with bats. They allegedly get tangled in hair, attack everything white, drink blood and generally portend misfortune. Many, having discovered bats in their home, strive to get rid of them at all costs. Are bats as dangerous as they sometimes seem?

On the territory of Russia, near human habitations, there are mainly several species of bats:

As can be seen from the table, bats are even useful creatures for humans, since they destroy pests and mosquitoes. The only danger that comes from these animals is the possibility of infection with the rabies virus, transmitted through a bite. However, this probability is 40 times lower than the possibility of contracting rabies from a dog. In bat populations, the prevalence of the virus is only 0.1%.

All species of bats living in the European part of Russia are protected by international conventions. According to Russian environmental legislation, not only the mice themselves, but also their shelters must be treated with care. It is prohibited by law to destroy a discovered bat colony.

When you need to call special teams

If all the methods tried have not brought the desired result, and the number of breeding individuals is growing exponentially, you should contact the sanitary and epidemiological station for help or call a special team that deals with pest elimination. Experts know how to effectively get rid of mice in the attic, in the shortest possible time and using absolutely legal methods.

If the above methods do not solve the problem with flying individuals, then the only quick option for removing mice is to call a special sanitary service.

The main problem created by small attic inhabitants is the possibility of a person becoming infected with various diseases from bat bites. They themselves do not attack humans, but when trying to drive them away from their homes, bats can bite.

If you are bitten by a bat, you must immediately seek medical help and get vaccinated.

The most common diseases that these creatures carry are the following:

• Histoplasmosis is a dangerous disease caused by a fungus that affects the respiratory tract. Birds and bats spread it through their excrement.
• Rabies. Infected bats live only a few days, but the likelihood of a bite during this period still exists.
• Ebola and Marburg viruses. According to official data, the main focus of the spread of the virus is Africa, but precautions are never superfluous.

You should protect yourself from direct contact with bats.

Additional Information. Special services will take measures to remove bats and also disinfect the premises with special preparations permitted by law. This will allow you to get rid of intrusive inhabitants for a long time.

SES workers have modern drugs and equipment.

Fighting tactics

To get rid of flying pests once and for all, you need to use a comprehensive method of controlling them. The tactics for treating the attic space are as follows:

• First, the under-roof space is fumigated with a smoky sulfur bomb, which forces bats to leave their permanent habitat.
• Those individuals that do not want to leave their homes can be carefully picked up with a thickly gloved hand, transplanted into a small container or box, taken out of the house, and then released in a safe place.
• Then you need to inspect the attic for nests, and they also need to be removed from the house, unless local environmental regulations prohibit this.
• When the attic is clear of unwanted neighbors, you need to seal all the holes through which they can again enter their favorite place.
• As a preventive measure, it is better to install an ultrasonic repeller, which will probably scare bats away from your home for a long time.

Bat nests in the attic of a house

Note! When smoking mice, you must follow fire safety rules and also use personal protective equipment.

Preventive measures

Like any other nuisance, it is easier to prevent the appearance of bats in the house than to spend time and money on getting them out.

After expelling the bats from under the roof, the attic must be cleaned, destroying all traces of their presence, and also disinfected.

It’s worth preparing for this in advance, before the colony settles down thoroughly and breeds offspring:

• It is regularly necessary to inspect attics, basements and other places where owners are extremely rarely found. It is precisely such rooms, if they are also insulated, that attract bats.
• It is necessary to seal all possible openings through which bats can enter the room. To do this, large openings should be covered with grating, and small cracks should be eliminated using sealants or construction foam.
• It is very practical to install a special device with a unidirectional output. Such a device is attached in places most susceptible to penetration by animals. Its operating principle is based on blocking reverse entry. Even if the bats have managed to get into the house, once they leave it, they will no longer be able to return.

It is important to seal the cracks, repair the roof, or re-roof it, or plaster the attic.

Important! When getting rid of bats yourself, you need to take precautions. Rubber gloves are put on the hands, the respiratory organs are protected with a respirator, and the eyes are covered with goggles. Discovered excrement should be thoroughly moistened with water before cleaning to prevent the spraying of dried guano. The cleaned area must be thoroughly washed with a disinfectant.

Take precautions and do not neglect protective equipment.
Fighting bats is not a one-day process; it may take a long time to eliminate them or the help of special services. In any case, it is important to remain calm, show patience and humanity. The right method will allow you to get rid of uninvited guests once and for all.

A suitable method for removing chiropterans will not only clear the space, but also prevent the return of mammals.

What to do if bats are a nuisance

If peaceful coexistence with bats is still impossible, then it is worth finding a humane way and trying to resettle the animals. However, you should do everything very carefully so as not to harm them.

How to determine where exactly bats have settled

Bats are able to penetrate even the smallest holes, 1.5-2 cm wide. You can determine their exact habitat by following them in the evening, after sunset. At this time, the animals leave their shelter and go hunting.

Bats are nocturnal animals.

What time can you start fighting bats?

Most often, bats settle under the roofs of human houses only for the summer period. Such temporary colonies consist primarily of females seeking shelter to give birth and raise their young. But, some species settle down and live next to humans all year round.

It is best to evict bats during their absence. For temporary colonies, this is the late autumn period, after the females and grown cubs leave their shelter.

If bats live in this place all year round, then eviction should be carried out in the summer and at night, after the animals leave the shelter. This way, the least damage will be caused to the animals.

How to drive away bats

It is quite possible to get rid of unwanted neighbors on a site without harming them, and there are several effective methods for this.

Mechanical method

Bat.

This method is one of the most effective and simplest. After the animals leave their shelter, it is necessary to board up all possible holes and cracks to prevent them from returning. At the same time, it is very important to make sure that no one is left inside the home.

Another effective method is to install one-way departure means . Such structures will allow bats to leave the shelter, but will not allow them to return.

The installation of such “doors” should be carried out only after the baby bats grow up and are able to get out on their own and get food for themselves.

Otherwise, the parents will not be able to return to their babies, and they will die a slow, painful death.

Repellents

The most effective method to nuisance bats is to use repellents. Mothballs are very helpful in this matter.

The sharp unpleasant smell of these balls will scare away animals and force them to leave their home. In order to properly place them under the roof, you should make small bags of gauze and hang them near the bats’ habitats.

Such bags must be changed every 2-3 days, since the smell emitted by the balls weakens over time and does not give the desired effect.

Smoking

You can drive bats out of the attic using a regular smoker . In order for the animals to leave the building, the premises will have to be treated with smoke for several days in a row. Once bats stop appearing in the attic, all cracks and openings must be sealed immediately to prevent another infestation.

Another effective method is candles made from ground red pepper and sulfur powder. Such candles are placed in a deep metal container, set on fire and left in the attic. After the candle begins to smoke, you should immediately leave the room, otherwise you may get burns to the mucous membranes.

Ultrasonic repellers

Such devices are safe and very easy to use. The high-frequency sound emitted by repellers irritates bats and causes them discomfort.

In order for the use of such devices to bring the desired effect, you should choose high-quality models that have proven themselves in the market.

Using bright lights

Installing constant lighting inside and outside the attic will most likely not be liked by bats. The bright light will blind the animals and prevent them from getting inside their shelter. In addition, bats always make their homes in dark places and the presence of lighting will sooner or later force them to leave.

Bats do not like bright light.

What to do if a bat flies into the window of a residential building

Most often, young individuals that are just learning to fly fly into the windows of residential buildings. This does not happen often, and if a bat does end up in the room, you must perform the following steps:

1. Remove small children and pets from the room.
2. Turn off the lights in the room, open the window and leave the bat alone for 10-20 minutes. Most likely, the animal will calm down and be able to leave the room on its own.

   Bats are driven out at night.

3. If this does not help, and the animal still remains in the room, you should wait until it sits on a flat surface and can be covered with a box, jar or other suitable container. This should be done with gloves and very carefully to avoid animal bites.
4. After the bat is caught, it is necessary to insert thin plastic or thick cardboard between the surface and the trap and release the animal to freedom. It is necessary to release the bat only at night, since during the day it will be difficult for it to find shelter.

Construction of houses for bats

Diagram of a house for bats (click to enlarge)
In Europe, hanging houses for bats around the site is the same common and widespread practice as in Russia - the construction of birdhouses. Our summer residents should also take this experience into account in order to attract potential night defenders of the garden and create comfortable living conditions for them.

The design of such a house can be arbitrary. The main thing is that the design meets the following requirements:

• had cuts, protrusions and other roughness on the inner walls that animals could get caught on;
• did not have any other cracks except the entrance.

It is advisable to hang the bat house at a height of about 5 meters, preferably on the south side of a tree or building. Attracting bats to the site helps to effectively get rid of pests without the use of chemicals.

How to catch a bat in an apartment or room?

Use our tips to catch the animal correctly and quickly:

• Under no circumstances should you pick up the animal with your bare hands;
• forget about panic and fear, it will only hinder you;
• You need to take your pets out of the premises, if you have any, because they will try to catch the “uninvited guest.” This could result in a bite or death for them;
• wait until the bat lands somewhere, because if the mouse flies, you will only injure it;
• put on good thick gloves and handle the animal. Then place it in a normal sized crate to avoid harming it. An alternative is to simply cover it with a container. Then you need to insert thick cardboard between the container and the surface and turn the box over. After this, the bat will be caught;
• If a bat flies into your home during a warm period, then simply release it. Take it outside in the evening, and it will happily fly away on its own;
• if the animal does not fly away, hold it with gloves and wait until it starts to move - this is the moment when it is about to fly away;
• if it’s cold outside, it would be cruel to drive the animal out, because it will simply die. You need to help him - either call and transfer him to the necessary specialists, or give him the opportunity to survive the cold with you.