Des Moines's Best Bat Removal

How to Find a Bat Hiding in Your House?

If you ever need to deal with a bat in person, you need to keep yourself protected. The species of bats native to North America are generally insect-eaters and their bodies are not much bigger than your thumb. When you are preparing to handle a bat or catch it, find the thickest set of gloves you can, such as a pair of outdoor working gloves. Utilize a flashlight instead of turning on the room lights. Do NOT put your hand anywhere you have not looked at first. You can get injured, the bat can get injured, and there can be more problems in getting it out.

Smaller Than We Think

Of the 1,300 species of bats globally, about 50 species live in North America. There are no wild flying foxes or vampire bats in the US. These species can range in size, although most in the US are not much bigger than a few inches. These guys can roost in the strangest of places and get through smaller spaces than you likely realize.

Mistakes Are Made

If the bat flew into the home from a window or a doorway, and has not encountered anyone, leave its entry point open. Chances are, you will be able to shoo it back out the way it came in.

If you think it might have some sort of disease or virus, close the exits, and start your search. Begin at the top of the room it was last seen in. Thoroughly investigate the curtains and wall hangings. Check behind any large pieces of furniture as these dark areas are safest for a little bat. If there are holes at least 3/8 of an inch in diameter, the bat may have escaped through one.

Check Twice, And Again

Be certain of each room before moving on. It is easy to overlook small things like bats when their wings are folded. Always start at the top, by the ceiling and in the attic. Bats like high, out of the way, dark, and quiet places. You should look at the folds of the tops of curtains. If the bat ‘disappeared' then it might have landed and chosen to hide. Bats are timid creatures who are more scared of you than you are of them.

Do Not Freak Out

If the bat is flying, keep a cool head. It is important to note that you are several thousand times larger than it. Just because it can fly does not mean it is not scared of you. If it is behaving abnormally, let the bat tire and land before getting close to it. Catching a bat mid-flight is tricky and can lead to scratches or bites out of fear from the mammal and is much more work than capturing it when it lands.

Capturing Method

Once it has landed and you have access to it, place a wide mouth jar or container over the bat. Slide a piece of paper between the container and the surface or wall it was on. Make sure the bat is secured in the container without suffocating it. If you know it has not interacted with anyone, you can release the bat outside in the reverse manner.

Releasing Method

Place the container paper-side against a tree. Slowly slide the paper out from between the container and the trunk. With caution and slow movements, remove the container. The bat is now safely in a tree, where it can rest or take off in flight if it chooses. A tree can make the bat feel safer from predators than if it was on the ground. This method of capture and release is generally harmless to the bat.

Check for More

If the bat was alone, it will be easy to deal with. If it is part of a colony that lives nearby, that might be more dangerous. Maternity colonies are made up of females who are pregnant or recently gave birth to a pup. Some males will stay nearby the colony to act as protectors because pups cannot fly for several months.

If you have come across any dark stained areas and little dark brown pellets, you may have stumbled onto a colony. This means that you have a roost and may need professional assistance in dealing with it. A single bat flying around your home may have just made a mistake and needs help getting outside. Finding droppings and other signs of bats can be more difficult to handle.