Spring is near, so many homeowners are preparing their properties for the onset of wildlife within the local Virginia borders. If you too are a nature lover, and enjoy watching and accommodating the surrounding wildlife around your home, you should consider installing a bat house or two. Not sure if you have a bat population, locally? Well, if you have never seen a bat flying around your house around the time of dusk, or just after the sun sets, then you might not. On the other hand, if you have seen a bat before, you can safely assume there is a thriving population in your area.
But as it is with all wildlife practices around your property, it is important to know what you are doing for the purpose of safety. The same applies to installing and managing bat houses. It is necessary to adhere to certain guidelines in order to protect bats, yourself, and your home from potential bat intrusions.
Continue reading to learn the top installation tips for bat houses, as well as what you should do if you think bats are a nuisance around your home.
Bat House Construction
You can choose to buy a manufactured bat house, or you can construct your own. If you choose to make your own bat house, be sure you know what you are doing, and use a certified blueprint. Bat houses must be built in a certain fashion to ensure that safety of the bat, and the overall function of the bat house. If you wish to purchase a prefabricated bat house, look at your local garden or home improvement store, or search online at related retailers. You can expect them to come in an array of designs and sizes, and range in price between $12 and $100.
Bat House Location
You cannot place a bat house just anywhere on your property; you must choose a safe and suitable location. Bat houses should be installed on wooden or metal poles, or on the side of a building, like a barn or shed. You should never install bat houses on trees because there is not enough sunlight to adequately warm the house, and it puts bats directly in the path of their predators. Branches and leaves can also cause entrance obstructions, forcing bats to find another place to roost.
Bat House Installation
When mounting your bat house, be sure you choose a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of ample sunlight. Select a spot that faces East or South for best results. This will ensure that the house stays warm enough at night for the bats.
Mount bat houses at least 12 to 20 feet above the ground, or the tallest vegetation or tree. Also, be sure your bat houses are mounted at least 30 feet from your home, nearby tree branches, and power lines. This will help divert bats away from your house, and prevent bat infestations and intrusions. It will also help protect them from potential predators.
Do your best to mount your bat house near a natural body of water, like a stream, creek, pond, or river. This will ensure a thriving bat population, year round.
Nuisance Bat Control Tips
If bats are becoming a problem around your property, or you find a bat in the house, immediately separate yourself and your loved ones (including pets) from the vicinity of the bat’s location. Under no circumstance should you attempt to touch or trap a bat. Your next step is to contact a licensed Virginia bat removal company for bat removal and control service.
Got bats in the attic? Found a bat in the house? Need to get rid of bats? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for prompt and professional bat removal and control services you can afford. We serve all of Old Dominion, including Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and more.
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