You’re watching TV or making dinner when you hear the flapping of wings. Imagine your surprise when you discover it’s not a bird, but a bat that’s found its way into your home!
Nobody likes uninvited guests. But compared to common pests like flies, ants, or mice, a flying bat circling above you is universally spooky. That’s because these winged creatures have developed a reputation as disease-carrying pests out to infest your home.
They’ve been known to carry rabies. And their droppings can carry diseases, too. But are bats really as dangerous as their reputation suggests?
Here’s the truth: Despite their prominence in horror films and Halloween decorations, bats are actually beneficial for the environment. In fact, bats are crucial to insect control, pollination, and seed dispersal. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than 10% of bats tested for rabies are actually infected.
A lost or curious bat can fly into your house through open windows or doors. If that’s the case, odds are it’s looking for a way out.
But a more common reason bats invade your living space is to find a place to have babies in the fall or spring. Whatever the time of year, bats can sneak in through an entry point as small as 3/8 of an inch wide. This includes gaps in your siding, roof, or soffit, as well as chimneys and attic vents. And if they make themselves at home, there’s no limit to how long they’ll stay.
Whether you have a rogue flyer or a momma bat in the attic, use these bat removal tips to help it get back outside — and out of your living room:
Once the bat is safely out… the next course of action is finding how it got in.
Bats prefer to roost in high places, like attics, chimneys, or porch ceilings. Bats are typically quiet animals, although you might hear squeaking or scratching noises when they’re on the move. The telltale sign of where bats are roosting is their droppings – they look like mouse droppings, but larger. You might also find rub or scratch marks at the point where they enter your home.
Related: Here’s why you should get a professional chimney inspection every year
Bats are beneficial to the environment (and help eat pesky mosquitoes!) so relocating it outside where it belongs is the best course of action. Once it’s out, seal off the entry point with caulk, screens, or netting.
Bats living in your home can damage your house with foul odors and stains. However, bats are less likely to cause damage by gnawing or chewing. If you see teeth marks, it may be more likely that you have a problem with mice, rats, or squirrels. Learn how to spot the signs of other pest problems.
Generally speaking, damage from bats isn’t covered by your homeowners insurance. That’s because pest infestations are considered a home maintenance issue, since the damage is gradual – as opposed to a sudden event, like your neighbor’s tree falling on your roof. An Erie Insurance agent can help you understand what your insurance does (and doesn’t) cover. Talk to your local agent to ask questions or get a customized homeowners insurance quote.
Haven’t heard of us? Erie Insurance started with humble beginnings in 1925 with a mission to emphasize customer service above all else. Though we’ve grown to reach the Fortune 500 list, we still haven’t lost the human touch.
Contact NorthGroup Insurance today to experience the ERIE difference for yourself.