When people think of bats they often think of diseased, blood sucking pests. However, only a small percentage of bats carry rabies and they are a crucial for insect control, pollination, and seed distribution. That doesn’t mean that anyone would want to have one in their house. Bats usually don’t enter homes but when they do, how do hey enter and how do you get rid of them?
Entering the Home
When a bat becomes lost it can find its way into a home through open windows or doors. In which case they usually try to find their way out. However, the most common reason a bat enters a home is because it is looking for somewhere to have babes. Bats can sneak into a home though opens as small as 3/8 of an inch. This can include chimneys, attic vents, gaps in siding, roof or soffit. When bats enter a home, they most likely wont leave until forced out.
Getting Rid of the Bat
No matter what situation a homeowner finds themself in with a bat in their home, they should follow the below tips in getting rid of it:
- Wear Protective Gear. Never handle a bat with bare hands. If possible, wear thick leather gloves and even a mask. Though bats aren’t usually aggressive creatures it is always best to be prepared and protected from anything that could happen.
- Keep Calm. When bats are panicked or excited, they are more difficult to catch. People dealing with bats in their homes should stay as calm as possible and avoid yelling, scream, or chasing the bat. Homeowners should also remove pets from the area.
- Trap and Release. Homeowners should trap the bat in a box or container to be released back outside. Homeowners should wait for the bat to land on an object and place the box or container over the bat. Sliding a piece of think paper or cardboard over the box opening will effectively trap the bat. Homeowners should release the bat near a tree so that the bat can climb and then fly away as most bats cannot take off from the ground.
- Contact Local Professionals. In many states, bats are protected. If a homeowner isn’t comfortable or does not think that they can get rid of the bat safely then they should call a professional to handle the bat for them. If the bat problem persists then a professional should definitely be called in to handle the situation.
Is Bat in My Home?
Bats prefer high places like attics, ceilings, and chimneys. As bats are typically quiet animals, homeowners might not know that a bat is in their home unless they hear squeaking and scratching when the bat moves. Homeowners should also check any entrance point or cracks in the home for scratches or rub marks from the bat entering the home. The definitive proof of bat being inside the home is the presence of bat droppings. Bat droppings look like mouse droppings but are larger. Once a bat is relocated outside of the home, the homeowner should patch over or seal off any points of entry that a bat can get into. Netting, screens or caulk work well for sealing off areas that bats can get into.
Does Insurance Cover Damage from Bats?
When a bat is living in a home it wont cause much damage except for odors and stains. If a homeowner finds chew marks within their home, they most likely have a problem with mice, rats, or squirrels.
Damage from bats is typically not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Pest infestations are considered a maintenance issue because it happens over a long period of time not a sudden and accidental occurrence.
An adjuster at AAA Public Adjusters, LLC can help you figure out if your insurance covers the damage or not.
If you have experienced damage at your property call AAA Public Adjusters. You can reach us 24/7 at 800-410-5054.
About AAA Public Adjusters
AAA Public Adjusters, LLC, is a property loss consulting firm headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Additional offices are located throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. AAA Public Adjusters have been fighting insurance companies for over 25 years. AAA Public Adjusters, Maximizing Your Claim!
