As bat season in Florida approaches, you may start to notice an increase in bat activity. As if bats living in your home isn’t a big enough surprise, you might find yourself with a colony of bats in your home–including the presence of bat babies.
The spring season is significant for bats as they seek out safe places to give birth and raise their young, also known as pups. It’s possible to coexist safely with these creatures, especially since they are so important to the ecosystem. Let’s talk about how to prepare for bat season in Florida and what to do if you have a colony in your home.
What Happens During Bat Baby Season in Florida?
During bat season in Florida, female bats look for warm, dark, and quiet places to give birth. They’ll look for safe places to nest, including wall cavities, and other secluded areas.
Typically, this season sees an uptick in bat populations inside residential areas. But the good news is that there are common signs to watch out for when it comes to bat infestations. Be sure to keep a keen eye out for the following during the spring season.
Signs of Bats in Your Home
Bats are nocturnal creatures that prefer to stay hidden during the day, making them somewhat difficult to spot. However, there are several telltale signs that can indicate their presence in your home.
From the unmistakable sounds they make to the physical traces they leave behind, being aware of these indicators can help you identify a bat infestation before it becomes a problem.
- Noises at Dusk or Dawn: Bats are most active during these times.
- Scratching Sounds: Often heard in walls or ceilings.
- Bat Guano: Found near entrances or inside.
- Urine Stains: May discolor walls or ceilings.
- Grease Marks: Left by bats around entry points.
- Odor: Accumulated guano and urine emit a strong smell.
- Visible Bats: Spotting bats flying around your home at twilight.
Where do Bats Like to Hide?
If you were a bat, where would you think about hiding in your home? Bats’ ability to squeeze through small gaps—sometimes as narrow as 3/8 of an inch—means that almost any crevice or opening can become a gateway to a new roosting spot. Here’s an exploration of alternative common hiding spots for bats and their babies:
- Behind Wall Cavities: Bats can enter through cracks and make their way between the walls, finding quiet, undisturbed spaces to settle.
- Chimneys: Offering a direct route from the outside, an uncapped chimney is akin to an open door for a bat in search of a home.
- Under Roof Tiles: Loose or damaged tiles provide an easy access point for bats, allowing them to crawl underneath and find shelter.
- Eaves and Soffits: These architectural features can create small openings perfect for bats to roost, especially if there’s any damage or gap.
- Behind Shutters: Wooden shutters or those with gaps can host small bat colonies, especially if they’re seldom disturbed.
- Vents: Bats can navigate through or around vent covers, especially attic vents or those leading to crawl spaces, to find a cozy corner.
- Behind Siding: If there are loose or damaged panels, bats might find the space between the siding and the house structure appealing.
How Bats Get Into Your House
It’s bat season in Florida, and you discover bats having babies in your home. How did they get in there in the first place?
Bats can enter through all different areas of the house. They will come inside by using:
- Open Windows or Doors: An easy access point for bats seeking shelter.
- Cracks and Holes: Small openings around the roofline, eaves, or near windows and doors.
- Vents: Uncovered or damaged vents can be an entryway for bats.
What to Do If You Discover Bat Babies in Your Home
If you find pups in your home, don’t panic. Finding bat babies in your home requires a careful and humane approach. Here’s what to do if you discover bat babies in your home.
Don’t Disturb the Babies
Do not attempt to remove or disturb the bats, especially the babies, as it is illegal to harm or disturb bats during their maternity season.
Contact us at World Class Wildlife Removal
Reach out to a wildlife control expert or a bat removal service. We are trained to handle the situation legally and safely.
Preventing Future Bat Intrusions
It’s early enough in the season to take preventative steps against spring bat intrusions. If you want to keep bat colonies out of your home during bat season in Florida, try the following approaches.
Inspect Your Home for Potential Entry Points and Seal Them
Conduct a thorough inspection of your home’s exterior, looking for any cracks, holes, or gaps that bats could use as entry points. Pay special attention to areas around the roofline, eaves, windows, and doors.
Even small openings can be an invitation to bats, so be sure to seal these gaps with appropriate materials like caulk, mesh, or metal flashing. This not only prevents bats from entering but also enhances your home’s energy efficiency.
Install Bat Houses on Your Property to Provide an Alternative Roosting Spot
Offer bats a suitable alternative to your attic or walls with their own bat house. Place bat houses in sunny locations, ideally 12 to 20 feet off the ground, and away from bright lights to attract bats. Bats usually do best with 6-8 hours of sunlight.
Keep Windows and Doors Closed or Screened During Bat Active Months
Screen or close windows and doors during the evening and night when bats are most active. If you prefer to have windows open for ventilation, make sure they are fitted with screens without any tears or holes. This simple measure can significantly reduce the chances of bats or other pests entering your living spaces.
Use Chimney Caps and Vent Covers
If your home has a chimney, use chimneys and vents with caps and covers to block entry points without restricting airflow. Bats can use these as portals into your home if left uncovered.
Maintain Your Yard and Reduce Attractants
Trim trees and branches that are close to your home, as they can serve as launch pads for bats trying to enter. Meanwhile, minimizing outdoor lighting can make your property less attractive to bats seeking a new home. That’s because light can attract the insects bats feed on, subsequently attracting the bats themselves.
Worried About Bat Season in Florida? Call World Class Wildlife Removal
You don’t need to deal with bat intrusions on your own. World Class Wildlife Removal can safely and humanely remove bats from your home–including babies.
After the bats have been safely relocated, seal any entry points to prevent future invasions. However, this should only be done once it’s confirmed that no bats are left inside.