How to Get Rid of Bats in a House

Today, we're talking about bats. Not the Halloween or vampire variety, but the little guys you may find living in your roof or chimney. If you've ever seen a bat in your home, you know it can be scary. How did they get in? Do you need to be worried about rabies? And most importantly, how do you get them out safely? Rest assured, we'll cover all the steps of how to get rid of a bat in the house so you can sleep soundly again.

Bat Safety First

You may already know that some bats carry the rabies virus. While it's important to note that only around 6% of bats tested carried the virus, it can be deadly to humans unless it's treated immediately. For this reason, it's imperative to handle the situation carefully. Let's go over some safety tips before we get started. Also, note that some species of bats are federally protected, and many are protected in various states – so getting them out humanely is important. Here are the safety materials you should gather before trying to eliminate the bats from your home: 

• Heavy gloves: Thick gloves to protect your hands from bites.
• Net or container: A small net or a sturdy box to gently capture the bat without harming it.
• Cardboard: A piece of cardboard to slide under the container to secure the bat inside.
• Protective clothing: Long sleeves and pants to protect your skin.
• Flashlight: To help you see if the bat is hiding in dark corners.
• Safety goggles: To protect your eyes from any possible contact.

How Do Bats Get In?

Bats can enter your home for various reasons, primarily seeking shelter or accidentally flying in through open windows or doors. They may also be drawn to warm air escaping from your attic or basement, signaling a cozy spot for roosting. Common entry points include gaps in your roofline, eaves, vents, and areas where flashing or boards have come loose.

Bats require only a small opening—sometimes as little as a half-inch — to squeeze into your home. Addressing these vulnerabilities can prevent bats and other wildlife from entering your home. It's beneficial to regularly inspect your home for any cracks or holes and consider a home warranty plan to help manage the costs of sealing these gaps and maintaining the integrity of your home's exterior.

How to Remove Bats from the House

Once the bat or bats have gotten in, it's time to get them out safely — for both you and the bats. Let's go over how to get rid of bats in your house safely and what steps to take if you are directly exposed.

Identify and isolate the area: It’s much easier to learn how to get rid of a bat in a room once you’ve determined where it is. Begin by finding where the bat is located within your home. (If unsure, listen for high-pitched sounds and follow them.) Once you've found it, isolate the bat by closing off the area. If possible, shut all interior doors and confine the bat to a single room to limit its ability to move to other parts of the house.

Encourage natural exit: Open all windows and exterior doors in the room where the bat is confined. Turn off interior lights and leave the room dark while leaving external lights on to guide the bat towards the exit. Often, the bat will fly out on its own.

Manual removal: If the bat doesn't leave on its own, you can attempt to capture it using a small net or container. Wear heavy gloves and protective clothing to avoid direct contact. Slowly place your container or net over the bat if it's sitting still, then slide a piece of cardboard under the container to secure the bat inside. 

Handle with care: If the bat seems sick, do not attempt to capture it. Sick bats may display unusual behavior, such as being active during the day or lying on the ground. Contact a wildlife professional or animal control for safe removal in such cases.

In case of contact: If the bat bites or scratches someone, seek medical attention immediately. If possible, safely capture the bat, as health professionals may need it for rabies testing. Use the manual removal method described above and consult health authorities right away. If a bat was in your room while you were asleep, you should contact your doctor immediately. They'll help you determine whether you need a rabies vaccination based on your risk of contact. 

Prevent future intrusions: Now you know how to get rid of bats in your home, but how do you keep them from returning? Inspect your home for entry points such as loose roofing, gaps in eaves, or open vents. You may need to call a pest control company to conduct an assessment and create a plan to exclude the bats from your home — this may include one-way bat valves, installing bat houses further from the house, or other solutions.

If you have a roof leak caused by normal wear and tear that allows bats to sneak inside, home warranties may help cover the repair cost. However, repairs for pests may not be covered by a home warranty.

How to Clean Up After Bats

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to get rid of a bat in the house. After safely removing a bat from your home, it’s important to thoroughly clean the area to eliminate any health risks associated with bat droppings or urine. Wear disposable gloves, a face mask, and protective clothing to avoid direct contact with contaminants, then follow these steps:

• Ventilate the area well by opening windows and using fans to disperse any airborne particles.
• For surfaces contaminated by bat guano, use a spray bottle to lightly moisten the droppings with a solution of water and bleach (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) to prevent the release of harmful spores.
• Carefully scoop the droppings with a plastic shovel or similar tool, place them in a sealed plastic bag, and dispose of them according to local regulations. You can also call your local wildlife organization or animal control for tips.
• After removing the droppings, disinfect all affected surfaces with an enzymatic cleaner or a bleach solution to kill any remaining germs.
• Finally, wash your hands and any clothing worn during the cleanup in hot water to ensure all potential contaminants are removed.

Taking these precautions helps ensure your home remains safe and healthy after encountering bats. 

Benefits of Keeping Bats Around

While they can be a nuisance and health risk, they're great to have around when they're not in your house. Bats are highly beneficial to the environment, serving as natural pest control by eating thousands of insects, including mosquitoes, each night. They also play an important role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds for many trees and plants.

Now that you’ve learned how to rid your house of bats, it’s both kind and practical to provide a safe alternative habitat for them, such as a bat house. Bat houses should be placed at least 15 feet above the ground and in a location that receives ample sunlight during the day to maintain a warm environment. Make sure they're away from bright lights and in the quietest area possible. Installing a bat house can encourage these residents to continue their role in the ecosystem while keeping them safe and outside your home.

FAQs About How to Remove Bats from the House

Why do bats keep coming into my house?

Bats look for uninhabited dark places to roost, raise young, or stay warm over the winter. Sealing up holes, even small ones, is important to prevent them from coming in. Just ensure they're already inside when you do; then you provide them with a safe way out, like a one-way bat valve that lets them out, but not back in. You can obtain a bat valve online or contact a local pest control or wildlife company. 

What do bats hate the most?

Need to know how to repel bats from the house? Bats dislike bright lights, strong smells, and loud noises. To deter them, try installing lights in areas you think they may be getting into. 

Where would a bat hide during the day in my house?

During the day, bats can hang out in any dark, secluded place in your home. Chimneys, attics, and unoccupied areas of the home are all good places to look. 

Is it safe to sleep in a house with bats?

In short, no. Sleeping in a home with bats increases your risk of rabies exposure, and it's not recommended. 

Will bats go into a room with lights on?

It's uncommon to find bats in a well-lit area. If you find a bat in a room with lights on, it may be sick, injured, or simply lost and trying to find a way out. Please avoid contact with the bat and encourage it to leave on its own. If it doesn't, follow the steps above to safely remove it.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.