Bats
Facts: Bats can consume up to 500 insects an hour. A colony of 100 can consume over 250,000 insects in a night. Having a bat house on the edge of your property can help reduce or eliminate insect problems as well as help combat White Nose Syndrome, a fungal infection that has hurt bat populations. Bats are also important in polinating fruits and removing crop pests. If you are ever unsure, you can call CART or Animal Control (ask to speak with the Animal Control/Humane Officer. If there isn't one, call CART) for advice.
Problem:
Bats seen during the day- While bats are nocturnal, it is not uncommon to see them during daylight, mainly at dawn (returning home) and at dusk (leaving to hunt). This is normal and unless the bat appears sick or injured, is no cause for concern.
Bat looks sick or injuried- Bats are generally fearful of humans. If you see a bat that seems to not be expressing fear or appears to be injured, call CART or Animal Control to evaluate the situation. Do not approach a sick or injured bat unless you have experience working with wildlife.
Bat is grounded (on the ground crawling or not moving)- Bats can not fly from the ground. In order to get airborne, they must launch from a high spot and glide before flapping their wings. Bats also can't fly if they are too cold. If the bat doesn't appear sick or have oblivious signs of injury, it can be placed on an eye level branch in the sun. If you choose to move it, wear heavy leather gloves. Take a small container (butter or sour cream works well) and place it over the bat while placing the cover underneath. Place the container over the branch and remove the lid. The bat should slowly climb onto the branch. You can also call CART or Animal Control to assess the situation.
Found baby bat- Odds are the baby fell off mom while she was flying/roosting or something happened to mom. Call CART or Animal Control for transport to a licensed wildlife rehabber.
Bat Bites (Human and pets)- See page on wildlife bites
Bat in a room- If no one has been bitten, you can open a window or if safe, capture it and place it in a tree (see grounded bat). If you are not confortable doing so or if someone may have been bitten, call CART or Animal Control to assess the situation. Follow up with a pest control specilaizing in bats to determine if bats are roosting in the home.
Bats roosting in walls or attic- It is best to call a pest control company that specializes in bats. Visit Bat Con for more information on what to look for in a pest control as well as other options to safely remove bats.
Bats hanging on the gutters/eaves- Generally this is not a cause for concern. More than likely the bat is just resting near a food source such as a light (lights attract bugs which makes an easy meal for a bat). You can watch the eave or peak of the home about 30 minutes before dark to see if bats are leaving. If so, contact a pest control company (see above). It is best to leave them alone from May to September to allow young bats the ability to grow and not be trapped.
Bats behind the shutters-Bats roosting behind shutters pose no concern as long as there is no way into the home (loose fitting or gaps by windows). If you are concerned or the bats are unwanted, you can removed the shutters after dark and place them where bats can't get to them. Replace in 2-3 weeks. Do not remove between May and September to prevent causing orphans.