It’s never fun to be kept up at night by strange noises in the attic, and it’s even less fun to discover that the noises are coming from some sort of pest infestation. The two most common attic dwellers are squirrels and bats, which is what we’ll be talking about in this article.
First of all, why do you need to get the bats out of the attic as soon as possible?
The presence of bats (or wild animals, in general) in the home can pose a serious health concern for both you, your family, and your pets. Even if none of you comes into direct contact with the bats, their presence can still be dangerous because bats carry a wide range of serious diseases. It is believed that the new coronavirus may have come from bats, initially, so that’s one extra reason you’ll want the bats out of the home as soon as possible, particularly if you have vulnerable children or elderly folks living in your home.
Beyond that, bat feces are a breeding ground for mold and may even lead to respiratory diseases in humans.
So it’s imperative that you get bats out of the attic as soon as possible, so as to protect your family and pets.
What are some things you can do to get rid of bats in the attic?
1. The best thing you can do is call a wildlife removal expert.
If you have no experience dealing with bats, it’s probably best if you don’t attempt to tackle this problem by yourself, as you risk getting scratched or otherwise injured, and thus exposing yourself to said diseases.
Instead, look for a pest removal professional like those at Florida Wildlife Control that use humane methods, such as live trapping. This will not harm the bat (or bats), but allow the professional to remove them quickly and safely from your home.
2. Identify any holes or cracks in the walls.
It’s very important to figure out how the bats got into the attic in the first place. It’s usually through a hole in the wall, and you’ll need to fix that immediately, so as to prevent future infestations. If you like, you can ask the removal expert to help identify the root of the problem. This might help get you a more professional opinion than your own.
3. Clean your attic thoroughly.
Once the walls have been fixed and the bats removed, it’s time to assess and clean up the damage. As mentioned, bat droppings can carry various respiratory diseases, so it’s important that you wear adequate protection (ideally a breathing mask, gloves, boots, etc.) when cleaning your attic, so as not to come into contact directly.
If you like, you might also employ a professional cleaning firm that specializes in this sort of thing. Your attic, as well as everything in it, will need to be cleaned properly, to be rid of bat traces. You’ll also need to have the situation assessed, to see if the mold has caused deterioration of your insulation or home structure.
