Did you know that bats make up one-quarter of all mammal species? There are 1,400 different bat species worldwide and 19 species in Canada. Bats are also a protected species in Canada, so it’s best to have a professional pest control service remove them rather than attempting it yourself. So, what should you do if you have a bat pest control issue in your home? What are some common areas that bats may be hiding in your home? What happens if you get bitten by a bat? Don’t worry, we’ve got answers to some of the most common questions and concerns homeowners have about bat control and bat removal.  

Are Bats Pests?

Bats actually play an important role when it comes to natural pest control and the ecosystem. For example, the Little Brown Bat can eat 600 insects in about an hour. Their love of munching on moths, mosquitoes and beetles helps to manage insect pests all over the country and contributes to a healthy ecosystem. But when bats get into our homes and buildings, they can quickly turn from beneficial to pest.

Where To Find Bats In The Home

Bats often get into buildings through unscreened vents and gaps around the exterior, loose or overlapping sheeting/sidings and unscreened chimneys. These pests will settle into their winter homes before searching for their next colony site in early spring. Common roosting sites include:

  • Attics: A common spot when dealing with bat pest control, attics can be a comfy spot for bats. Because many bats are nocturnal, they will take refuge during the day and cling to walls, ceilings and beams inside attic spaces.
  • Wall voids: Some bats tend to roost in small crevices. For these bats, wall voids offer the protection and seclusion they need to survive.
  • Roof eaves and sheltered areas including crawl spaces: Structures sheltered from the sun with access to the outdoors are prime locations for bat nurseries.

A small brown bat resting in an attic on a wooden floor near a wall.

Bat Behaviours and Habits

Bats are truly remarkable creatures. As the only flying mammals on earth, they possess unique adaptations like echolocation, allowing them to hunt prey with remarkable precision. Beyond their hunting prowess, bats are essential pollinators, contributing to the health of many plants, much like bees and hummingbirds. From how they hunt for food to when they sleep, bats are quite interesting. Understanding the importance of bats not only highlights their diverse behaviours, but also underscores their critical contributions to our environment.

How do bats find food?

Bats use echolocation for navigation and for hunting insects. They use their larynxes to make echolocating sounds through their mouths and can detect an insect up to 5 meters away. However, most of these sounds are too high-pitched for human ears to register. Once they get close enough to their prey, they increase the volume of their call and turn off their middle ear to protect their hearing for that second. They’re also good eaters—bats will eat their body weight in insects and can consume over 1,000 mosquitoes in about an hour. 

When are bats most active?

Bats are nocturnal animals; they are most active from late evening to sunrise. You may even hear bat sounds or see bats flying at night searching for food. You’ll usually notice bat activity around your home if you see their droppings or hear them loudly squeaking. 

A bat in flight in search of food at night.

Do bats hibernate?

While bats in warmer climates may never hibernate, most local species wait out Canadian winters by either heading south or going dormant. Caves, rock crevices, homes and barns are common places for colonies of bats to seek shelter. As the only local species that hibernates inside buildings during the winter, big brown bats give homeowners the most trouble.

Plus, many hibernating bats return to the same sites every year, travelling up to hundreds of kilometres in the process. 

Problems caused by hibernating bats

Bats generally move as little as possible during winter to avoid burning up their stored fat reserves. However, when woken by loud noises, lights or raised temperatures, these pests may fly around the house searching for insects. Those unable to find food often die and eventually decay in attics or hollow walls. Residents who happen upon colonies by accident may wake the whole group, causing an intense, panicked commotion. To retain body heat, bats also nestle inside insulation. This behaviour may allow fleas, mites, ticks and even bat bugs on their bodies to spread throughout homes.

A bat hanging upside down hibernating from a cave ceiling, with its wings wrapped around its body.

What You Need to Know About Bat Bites

Although bats don’t typically bite humans, it can happen and can be harmful. In Canada, bats are known as one of the most common animals to carry rabies. Here’s what you need to know if a bat bite does occur, and what to do to minimize your risk of infection and disease. 

What do bat bites look like?

Due to literary comparisons between bats and vampires, some people expect a bat bite to resemble fang marks. In truth, bat teeth are so sharp and so tiny, they might not leave any mark at all. If they do, it will more closely resemble a pinprick. It is uncommon for a full set of puncture marks to accompany a bite.

Why do bats bite people?

Bats may bare their teeth and squeak loudly, leading many people to believe they are vicious. In reality, the bat is usually trying to scare away a predator. It is extremely rare for a bat to attack a human unprovoked. Nevertheless, if sleeping bats are disturbed, they might bite instinctively. If they fly too close to a person and are swatted away, they may bite in retaliation. There have also been instances of the pests getting into rooms at night and being surprised by unsuspecting people, resulting in bat bites and scratches.

What to do if bitten by a bat?

With the risk of contracting rabies, anyone who suffers from a bat bite should seek immediate medical attention. First, wash the affected area with soap and water to flush away as much bacteria as possible. Rabies is entirely preventable with proper medical treatment. To avoid being bitten altogether, homeowners should contact the professionals at Orkin as soon as bats are found on their property.

Addressing a Bat Population

A bat population isn’t just a nuisance to your property. Bats can also carry parasites such as bat bugs, mites and fleas into your building and leave behind droppings that contain harmful fungal spores. So, catching a bat problem early on is essential. But before you implement a bat control program, there are a few key pieces of information to consider:

  • Bat removal should not occur between May and mid-August, when young may still be in the roost.
  • Bats are a protected species, so it’s best to leave removal to the professionals. Check with your local Orkin Canada branch to learn about when and how bat removal can occur.

To help avoid bat problems, first inspect your property to ensure no bats are already inside. Then, keep them away by implementing these exclusion strategies:

  • Seal all gaps in siding;
  • Close attic windows at all times so the bats can’t fly inside; and
  • Install screening over chimneys and vents.

An Orkin Pro with a flashlight assessing an attic for pest activity.

How to Remove Bats From Your Home

When bats roost in or around homes, residents often look for fast, easy fixes like commercially available repellents. Unfortunately, repelling bats is hard work that requires an eye for long-term management, which most common products do not provide.

Common bat repellents

Lights: Since bats are nocturnal creatures, they shy away from bright environments and dislike lights. To encourage them to leave potential nesting areas, consider installing lights and keeping them on continuously for 24 hours. Regular incandescent bulbs can do the trick. 

Electronic and Ultrasonic Devices: Several products on the market claim to repel bats using electronic or ultrasonic technology. These devices emit sounds or light that are supposed to deter bats. However:

  • High Cost: These devices can be expensive, making them a costly solution for many homeowners.
  • Limited Effectiveness: Studies and user experiences have shown that these devices are generally ineffective over time as bats may become accustomed to the noise or light.

Aerosol Sprays: Some aerosol sprays marketed for repelling animals like cats and dogs are also used to deter bats. These sprays often contain ingredients meant to create an unpleasant environment for the bats. However:

  • Inadequate Results: These sprays are typically inadequate for long-term bat prevention and may need frequent reapplication.

When to Call for Bat Removal

There is no magic product to repel bats, and simply waiting out an infestation of roosting bats won’t provide a long-term solution. The most effective way to bat-proof your property is to contact the professionals at Orkin Canada. Our trained specialists and wildlife experts will thoroughly inspect your home and implement proven strategies for prevention and safe removal, ensuring lasting protection.