If you are like most people, the mere thought of having a bat in your home is enough to make your skin crawl. Whether it crawls in through an open window or door or gains access from below by way of gaps and cracks in basement walls and foundations, bats can find their way inside to roost — leaving both homeowners and renters alike feeling uneasy.
In order to quickly get the bat out and ensure their safety (and yours!), it’s important to know how to remove them properly.
Fortunately, there are ways to safely remove bats from basements without doing harm either to them or yourself. In this blog post, I’ll discuss the basics of how to get bat out of basement that has taken up residence in your basement – safely, humanely, and permanently. Read on for helpful tips and answers about getting rid of that pesky unexpected intruder!
Why Bat Comes in the Basement?
1. Warm Ambience
In order to properly address the issue of bat removal, it’s important to understand why they are in the basement in the first place. Bats usually enter basements because they’re looking for a warm, dry shelter that is free from predators and parasites. Basements often provide these ideal conditions for bats, so if you’ve noticed them coming in, it’s likely due to their need for a safe place to rest and nest.
2. Easy Access
Another reason why bats may enter your home is because of gaps, or in the foundation or walls that provide easy access. Bats can fit through surprisingly small openings, so even if you think there might be no way for them to get in, it’s possible they have found a way.
Required Items
In order to safely remove bats from your home, you will need a few simple things:
- Protective clothing such as gloves, a hat, and long sleeves
- A flashlight
- An extendable ladder (if necessary)
- A soft fishing net or dog cage
- Bat exclusion material such as mesh, plastic sheeting, etc.
10 Ways How to Get Bat Out of Basement
1. Identify Entry Point
The first step in getting rid of a bat from your basement is to identify the entry point or points that they are using. Inspect around windows, doors, and walls for any gaps or openings that may be allowing them access, and take note – as this will be important when you need to seal them up afterwards.
2. Wait Until Nighttime
Although bats can leave their roost during the day, most will remain inactive in a state of torpor until nightfall when they will fly out to hunt insects and other prey. Therefore, it’s best to wait until dark before attempting any removal process, as this is when they are most active and likely to vacate the home.
3. Clear Out Basement
Once you’ve identified the entry points, it’s time to clear out any furniture or clutter from the area around them so that you can safely get in to perform bat removal without tripping over or knocking anything down.
4. Turn Off the Lights
Turn off all lights in the basement as well as any outside lights that may be attracting bats and creating a beacon for them to come inside. Instead, use a flashlight or lantern to light up the area you’re working in.
5. Cut-Off Access
Once you’ve identified their entry points, it’s time to seal them off using exclusion materials such as mesh, plastic sheeting, or other materials. This will prevent any bats from re-entering the area and give you peace of mind that your home is safe and secure once again.
6. Put on Protective Gear
Now it’s time to don your protective clothing so that you can safely handle the bat if necessary. Gloves, long sleeves, and a hat are all important to have in order to prevent any potential bites or scratches.
7. Position Ladder
If the bat is out of reach, position an extendable ladder as close to the entry point as possible so that you can safely remove it from the area without putting yourself at risk. Setting a ladder can also be useful in the event that you need to physically remove the bat from its roost.
8. Use a Net or Cage
When the bat is within reach, use either a soft fishing net or a dog cage to capture it and remove it from the area. If you’re using the net, be sure not to grip it too tightly so as not to injure the animal. Using the cage, be sure to leave some air holes so that it can breathe while you transport it outside.
9. Release Bat Outdoors
Once you’ve captured the bat, release it outdoors in a safe location away from your home and other structures. Be sure not to release it too close to humans or pets as this could cause an issue for both parties.
10. Clean Up the Area
After releasing the bat, go back inside and clean up any mess that may have been left behind. Make sure to wear protective clothing while doing so in order to prevent any potential contamination or harmful bacteria from spreading.
Following these simple steps will help you get rid of a bat safely and humanely from your basement – and help you get a good night’s sleep, free of worries from unexpected visitors!
Hopefully, this blog post has given you the information you need to safely remove bats from your home. If you have any additional questions or concerns about bat removal or safety, don’t hesitate to contact a local wildlife expert for professional advice.
8 Safety Precautions to Follow
When trying to remove a bat from your basement, safety precautions must always be taken. Here are 8 safety tips to keep in mind:
1. Wear thick leather gloves and eye protection while handling the bat. Bats can carry rabies and other diseases, so it’s important to protect yourself with protective gear. Wearing long sleeves and pants can also help protect your skin from bites or scratches.
2. Use a thick cloth, blanket, or towel to capture the bat. Never use your bare hands to try and catch it, as this could increase the risk of being bitten or scratched by the animal. Thick cloth is also impermeable and helps prevent the bat from escaping.
3. Make your home uninviting to bats by sealing any potential entry points, such as broken window screens or small openings in doors or walls. Once the bat is removed, seal these areas immediately to discourage future visits.
4. If you can’t safely capture the bat, call a local pest control company for assistance. They can safely remove the bat and help you take steps to prevent future visits. Safely remove the bat, and help you take steps to prevent future visits.
5. Vacuum up any droppings or urine left behind by the bat. Cleaning these areas thoroughly can help reduce the risk of infectious diseases being spread to you or your family. Keep in mind that the droppings may contain parasites, so wear a face mask when cleaning.
6. Keep pets away from the area where the bat was found, as they may be more susceptible to diseases carried by bats. Keeping pets away from the bat can also prevent them from being scratched or bitten.
7. Do not attempt to kill the bat, as this is against the law in most states, and it increases the risk of injury due to its sharp talons and teeth. Otherwise, the bat could also become aggressive and attack you.
8. Contact your local wildlife rehabilitator to help release the bat in a safe location away from people or pets. This can help prevent any potential problems for both parties as well as ensuring that the bat has a chance of survival outside of captivity.
Following these safety precautions can help ensure you and your family stay safe while getting rid of bats in your basement. It is important to remember that most bats pose no threat to humans and are simply looking for shelter.
Conclusion
In summary, getting a bat out of the basement should be done delicate but firmly. By closing windows and doors while allowing it to fly towards an open exit can work if no additional safety precautions are taken. If there is a risk, then remaining outside and enlisting the help of professionals is advised. In either situation, the safety of oneself and the bat is essential and any action taken needs to prioritize that first.
While bats are naturally shy and harmless creatures, they should still be respected, given their sharp claws and ability to carry diseases. These steps on how to get bat out of basement are simple but effective when it comes to safely removing a bat from one’s property. When done correctly, these tips can provide not only an easier way to handle this problem but also peace of mind in knowing that all parties involved remain unharmed.