Rats...I have bats!

[MikeT]

The past few weekends in our beach house project, we have noticed a bat flying in our unfinished house.  After some careful observation (they fly so fast and in the dusk it is hard to spot them inside), I think I know where it/they are holing up.  Now comes the challenge of eviction!

From some reading, it is clear that I need to inspect each gap in the eaves etc and try to eliminate all possible entry  points, leaving one for an exit.  Then I need to leave a window open and given him/her/them some time to get out.

The only solace is that this forces me to look carefully at infiltration places and it gives me something to do in the early morning and the evening when it is hard to saw, nail, or pull wire.

It looks like I need to construct a bat house too.

mt

[Pox Eclipse]

Definetly consider a bat house; if you can encourage them to stay in your area, it will cut down on mosquitos and other flying insects.  Bats are good! (but not in your house).

[MikeT]

I should post this link.  I can't say it has been helpful yet, but I hope it will prove to be:

http://www.batworld.org/bat_problems/batsin%20buildings-exclusion.pdf

[desimulacra]

Good source for a Bat House

http://www.habitatforbats.org/

[glenn kangiser]

Nylon stocking with a end cut off lets them out but not in.  Check our bat article here.

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=505.0

[MikeT]

I remember that thread!  Thanks.

Just like there are no new ideas, there really are no new threads, either....

mt

[glenn kangiser]

There must be at least one... hmm

[MikeT]

Well... I suppose. 

To continue this batty thread, here is the basic bat house design I plan to use....

http://www.batcon.org/bhresearcher/bv6n2-5.html

I will partner a post off my deck with good sun exposure and appropriate height.  It probably will not get much bat action this year, but maybe next summer....

I will spend part of the next few weekends sealing up gaps in the vent blocks and then creating a one way channel for the critters to exit but not reenter.  I only hope I can get ahead of them having pups.

[glenn kangiser]

The feature at dinner tonight at the local restaurant was to go out on their patio when the bats arrive to entertain the dinner guests.  Go figure...