Someone educate me on bats please...

[GartenSpinnen]

OK, so im absolutely terrified of bats. I know, thats probably retarded, but they scare the hell out of me. Anyways... i have been hearing bat noises lately, a lot, around my house, especially on the patio while smoking. And i have a hunch after seeing probably 20 of them fly out from under the vent in my roof where my attic is that my attic is probably filled with them. I have not mustered up the courage (yes im a pansey when it comes to bats) to look in the attic, but i plan on doing so tonight.

Despite my fears of bats, i respect them as very unique and essential creatures who are killing problematic insects like mosquitos around my house. The only worry i really have about living with them, is if there feces might carry some sorts of diseases and of them getting inside my house and someone getting bit. Mostly im just worried about the first issue because theres very little chance of them getting inside the main living space of my house seeing how the attic is well sealed off. Anyways, any insight into this would be much appreciated. I will take a look tonight at what is up there but also a bit worried that they will come rushing out of the attic door when i open it .

Cheers

 

[Mushroom Spore]

my attic is probably filled with them. I have not mustered up the courage (yes im a pansey when it comes to bats) to look in the attic, but i plan on doing so tonight.

DO NOT DO THIS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat#As_vectors_for_pathogens
Due to the risk of rabies and also due to health problems related to their faecal droppings (guano), bats should be excluded from inhabited parts of houses. The Center for Disease Control's website on bats and rabies provides full detailed information on all aspects of bat management, including how to capture a bat, what to do in case of exposure, and how to bat-proof a house humanely.
http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats.html

Call Animal Control. Do not screw around, do not put it off, do not go "oh I'm sure that's not necessary," do not go in the attic. Yes, bats are not evil and they kill lots of insects and we need them, but going in there is taking a possible huge disease risk for yourself.

AC should be able to help arrange to have the bats moved out of there and relocated, and your house sealed up so they can't get back in.

 

[arachyd]

If you want to see them don't do it at night. They will be active and flying around. It is much safer to take a peek in daylight. Don't attempt to handle or catch them. Bats are very fragile and easily hurt. They also have razor sharp teeth and disease is a concern as already stated. If you decide to overcome your fears there are simple bat houses you can make to put on a tree, shed or garage so they aren't in your house. The plans are pretty easy to find online. A bat house looks a bit like a louvred vent. They crawl in and hide behind it. Have animal control or an exterminator remove them and make sure all openings to the attic and eaves have been completely closed up. Replace any damaged vent screens. A bat can squeeze through a tiny space just like a mouse can.

 

[ballpythonteen]

first if you want them to stay get a bat box before you do anything then have an exterminator just kick them out of your attic not kill them and once they are all out seal off your attic and put up the bat house they should use this instead

 

[JohnEDove]

Please, Please, PLEASE listen to Mushroom Spore and let the profesionals deal with this. Though it is not likely they will be harmful to you the possibility exists.

 

[crpy]

this thread is almost a month old, I wonder if he delt with them