Help with Bats

[entrique]

I have a house on my property that has Bats living in the eaves between ceiling and roof. They have lived there for 8 years that I know of. Mostly they don't bother anyone just eat a ton of mosquitos.

This week two days in a row there was one in the house. The person living there is understandably a little freaked. We are thinking it is time to get the bats out. I want to build bat houses so they have a place to go. But anyone have advice as to how, At night when they leave I can block the entrance but there are some still there I think and they won't be able to get out and probably would find a way into the house. Anyone heard of a one way door? They can get out but not back in???? Helpful advice or people that know what to do please write. Thanks :):

[decterlove]

must be lots of bat experts around but you might try calling Olympali State? Park in Novato....they have about 20 different kinds of bats on their property and frequently have bat lectures during the summer.


I have a house on my property that has Bats living in the eaves between ceiling and roof. They have lived there for 8 years that I know of. Mostly they don't bother anyone just eat a ton of mosquitos.

This week two days in a row there was one in the house. The person living there is understandably a little freaked. We are thinking it is time to get the bats out. I want to build bat houses so they have a place to go. But anyone have advice as to how, At night when they leave I can block the entrance but there are some still there I think and they won't be able to get out and probably would find a way into the house. Anyone heard of a one way door? They can get out but not back in???? Helpful advice or people that know what to do please write. Thanks :):

[Lenny]

Try calling a local grammar school to see if anyone knows "The Bat Lady's" phone number. She still might be around. She lived in Marin but would go anywhere to talk about her bats. Interesting lady and after seeing her we all started building bat houses! None came to us as we did not live near a body of water. Your post shows how lucky you are to have them near by, but I can understand the tenants being upset. Or you can send them to The Bat Lady!
Anyway, if she's around, she'll tell you how to deal with them. Also the Humane Society.

[Braggi]

Try calling a local grammar school to see if anyone knows "The Bat Lady's" phone number. ...

The Bat Lady is Patricia Winters. Her contact info is here: https://www.californiabats.com/contact.html

-Jeff

[Eukaryote]

You might also try Wild Birds Unlimited in SR which has pre-built bat houses (pricey), brochures on build your own (if reasonably good with saw and drill), plus info on how to do the one way door. The only risk of that is if there is a young brood in the nest, and the adults cant get back in to feed. WBU or Bat Lady can probably tell you the brood liklihood at this time of year.

www.wbu.com/edu/bats.htm (sorry, havent figured out how to insert a live link)

We have several small colonies living in the shake siding of our house. They do keep the bugs down, and are not a nuisance if they cant work there way through into the interior (which sounds like your problem.)

[oliviathunderkitty]

must be lots of bat experts around but you might try calling Olympali State? Park in Novato....they have about 20 different kinds of bats on their property and frequently have bat lectures during the summer.

Go to www.californiabats.com, where you will find instructions on what to do if you find a bat in your house. On the list of contacts, you'll find contact information for Patricia Winters. She lives in Forestville, where she has bat rahab facilities. Call her. She is as helpful as anyone can possibly be. She is absolutely wonderful.

Currently, it is baby season and so any exclusion must be done carefully, by a professional. Some advise waiting until baby season is over.

Would you be so kind as to post something when there is a resolution? I'll worry about your bats . . .

[Zeno Swijtink]

I have a house on my property that has Bats living in the eaves between ceiling and roof. They have lived there for 8 years that I know of. Mostly they don't bother anyone just eat a ton of mosquitos.

This week two days in a row there was one in the house. The person living there is understandably a little freaked. We are thinking it is time to get the bats out. I want to build bat houses so they have a place to go. But anyone have advice as to how, At night when they leave I can block the entrance but there are some still there I think and they won't be able to get out and probably would find a way into the house. Anyone heard of a one way door? They can get out but not back in???? Helpful advice or people that know what to do please write. Thanks :):

Can you find out how they get in the house?

If you can block that entrance, or if it's a behavioral issue, help the renter change his/her behavior, that would be the most straightforward and cheapest way!

[oliviathunderkitty]

Can you find out how they get in the house?

If you can block that entrance, or if it's a behavioral issue, help the renter change his/her behavior, that would be the most straightforward and cheapest way!

There are exclusion nets that can block entry but allow exit, which is the standard. However, it is crucial not to do this during pup season. Bat pups are completely dependent on their mothers and remain in nursery groups when the mothers go out at night to eat insects. To exclude now would condemn babies to certain death. Bat moms have a single pup, not a litter.

If there is a bat in the house the best thing to do is to open the doors and windows and then chill out for a bit. It will find its way out--it wants out at least as badly as you want it out, if not more.

[Zeno Swijtink]

There are exclusion nets that can block entry but allow exit, which is the standard. However, it is crucial not to do this during pup season. Bat pups are completely dependent on their mothers and remain in nursery groups when the mothers go out at night to eat insects. To exclude now would condemn babies to certain death. Bat moms have a single pup, not a litter.

If there is a bat in the house the best thing to do is to open the doors and windows and then chill out for a bit. It will find its way out--it wants out at least as badly as you want it out, if not more.

I meant, block the entrance to the living area. The bats have been living up in the house for years without problems. Try to get back to the previous, satisfactory situation.

[Dynamique]

A few years ago the "Bat Lady" drove up from Novato to rescue a bat that had taken refuge on my porch when her nesting site was bulldozed so yet another self-storage place could be constructed.

I reached her through Wild Animal Rescue at 707-526-9453.


Try calling a local grammar school to see if anyone knows "The Bat Lady's" phone number. She still might be around.

[oliviathunderkitty]

Patricia Winters, mentioned in this thread a couple of times, is the Bat Lady. She has moved to Forestville.

The web site, www.californiabats.com, has some good information but for emergencies Patricia suggests calling her rather than sending an e-mail. You can reach her at 707-820-1400 or 7070-570-5889 (cell)