Bat (s)-

[mattl]

Got a weird issue.  Once or twice each warm season I get a bat or two flying round my house.  In the past I attributed it to opening the attic access and dropping my whole house fan over it.  But this year I have not done that yet, I still have storm windows up at this point.  Last night I was watching TV and a bat comes zooming through the family room.  I got my shoes on and went out to remove a storm window so it could escape, but could not find it after I got back in the house, opened the window anyway. A few hours later it was active again, after circling the room for 5 or 6 minutes it found the window and off it went.

 

I looked around the house trying to identify exactly how it got in, could find nothing.  Only thing I could find was a slight crack, maybe1/4- 1/2" if that with the covers on my chimney dampers.  I have spring loaded stainless steel covers at the top of my fireplace flues to keeps the heat in.  The fireplace in the study was tight, but the fireplace in the living room had just a little play in the cable.  I'll reset the cable stop a bit but other than that at a loss was to entry point. 

 

How much space does a bat need to get in?

 

[lowefficiency]

Bats need surprisingly little space to get inside...

Here's an example:


It's worth calling an expert if you can't find anything obvious yourself. We had a couple bats last year, and the company we had do our house looked it over from top to bottom (they were even up on the roof), and found a dozen or so places that needed attention. They were able to pinpoint an entry point and identify it as their "front door" based on the marks they left as the oils rubbed off of their fur as they squished through, then they installed a one-way valve to let them out but not in, and after a couple months they returned, removed the valve, and sealed up that final hole.

It can be counterintuitive finding that spot, too, because they can "appear" in the living space through quite a convoluted path through your walls, ceilings, roof, etc.

Good luck!

 

[bradfordwhite]

There so ADORABLE

and they eat lots of bugs that would otherwise bother us.

Get them their own house and put it up in a sunny place so they won't have to enter your house.

 

[circlew]

I think I'd just as soon have a lion in the house as I would a bat. They're one of the few creatures that terrify me. When I was in high school one got in our basement one night. I ran up the stairs and into the bathroom and closed the door. I wouldn't come out until my parents searched the house. They reported they couldn't find anything. A couple days later my dad found it dead next to the furnace.

 

[bradfordwhite]

awwwww, poor bat.

I found a dead hummy bird in the shed once like that. poor thing

But, you know, back in "the old days" people would victimize various animals, bugs, and creatures for the sake of DRAMA.

Bats, spiders, bugs, apes, black cats, hornets, etc.

It's a shame it left a scar on society so people fear animals that are our friends.

A reasonably good 1959 Vincent Price and Agnes Moorhead movie.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Not a good idea to live too close to bats...

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200210144854.htm

Bats and rabies FAQ's - Bats, rabies, and health in the UK - Bat Conservation Trust

About rabies Rabies is a rare but serious viral infection of the nervous system that's usually caught from a bite or scratch of an infected animal, but ...

www.bats.org.uk

 

[justjunque]

They must be very much like mice in that regard. We get mice regularly, and were told that if there's a hole big enough for a pencil to fit through, a mouse can get through it.
We've never had a bat in the house so far, but they fly around in our yard every evening.
We love them! If we're out in the yard, they'll even occasionally "buzz" us; making low passes just overhead. Presumably, they're after the flying insects that are pestering us.
We've even bought a bat house for them. Just have to find a good location to put it up.

Barry

 

[askolover]

Can anyone besides me hear them?  We've been at the lake on our boat before and I've heard this faint very high pitched sound...then a bat will come zooming by.  I googled it to see if I was some kind of mutant and found out that there are humans who can hear bats.

 

[jmm63]

I have one that comes every summer and likes to roost under at the peak of the house under the fascia boards. There is probably just a couple inches that he can get under. The only way I know is that its right above the kitchen door and there are droppings on the steps. I usually get the hose out and put the nozzle on jet stream and give him a good squirt. Creepy as hell seeing him fly out of his spot, and last time he buzzed my head. Hoping he finally got the hint.

 

[justjunque]

Greg,

Lol. You mutant!
Now you have me thinking. (Which always hurts a little bit.)
I can't remember now if I hear a faint, almost chirping type of sound when they're flying overhead.
I'll have to try to notice this year.

Barry