Okay, so it’s your third night in a row not sleeping properly, and you’re just plain tired. What is going on up there? And what exactly are the noises that have been keeping you up at night? Maybe it’s a ghost, in which case, we’re stumped when it comes to solutions.
Or maybe it’s some sort of home intruder, or as some call them, a pest that has infiltrated your attic and made a cozy home within. Rats, opossums, and even squirrels are all possible culprits, and it’s likely that the thought has already crossed your mind. But what if it’s bats?
Below, we’ll clue you in on some common tell-tale signs that point to a bat infestation in your attic, and click here for more tips when it comes to dealing with bats.
1. Look out for droppings
Naturally, any animal intruder will leave feces scattered in and around your property. And this is bad news for you since animal droppings carry a hoard of diseases that put your health and safety at risk. If bats are causing the noises in your attic, then you’ll most likely find droppings around entryways, on windowsills, on the roof of your deck, and even on your attic floor (if you dare go up there).
Insider tip: We know it’s yucky, but you can identify bat droppings from their smell. Bat poo has a distinctly pungent scent that resembles ammonia, which is toxic if inhaled for a long time. Because of its toxicity, it is best to call a professional as soon as possible once you notice the presence of bat droppings. Visit batremoval.org for help.
2. Listen to the sounds they make
Most bats are active during the early morning, just as dawn breaks, and late at night. But then, that’s true about other intruders also. You might be able to identify bats by the chirping noises they make as they fly around your attic. You might also hear the bats scratching and moving about inside the walls of your home, in which case it might either be a solitary bat stuck in the wall, or much, much worse… an entire bat colony taking over your house.
3. Slick and greasy, that’s bats for you!
Bats have a special coating on their bodies that greatly resembles grease. So when you have identified the possible entry point of the bats, look for grease stains on the area around it. If you see them, then it’s more than likely it’s bats. Also, keep an eye out for grease stains on walls and around your house, which may point to a bat being nearby.
4. Just look
We know. Nobody wants to see a bat, as they awaken a primal fear inside most people. But if you go outside at night and look toward your roof, there’s a good chance of spotting the bats as they fly in and out of your attic. This is really helpful, because it allows you to localize the area of the entry point, so you can promptly seal it.
If you don’t know what you’re dealing with, your best bet is to call a professional wildlife removal company to safely and efficiently rid your house of the intruders.