Bats don’t need much space to get into your home. In fact, many bat species can push their bodies through gaps no wider than a dime! This means they can easily sneak through spaces like vents, gaps in your roof, your chimney, and more. Once they’ve found these openings, they may either roost in walls or keep crawling until they find your attic.
To keep bats out, it’s crucial to patch up any openings and gaps in your home. No opening should be left untouched—bats do not discriminate when they are looking for a place to keep warm. If you’re wondering, how do bats keep getting in my house? Read our list below.
How Do Bats Enter a House? Here are the Most Common Ways.
Don’t let bats sneak right past you—keep an eye out for the following entry points:
1. Damaged Roofing
Bats frequently find their way into attics by squeezing past damaged or rotting shingles. Along with their ability to squeeze through tiny openings, bats can also push through rotting wood to make their own entry points.
Look for damaged, cracked, peeling, or missing shingles on your roof. Patch up any openings as quickly as possible by resealing or replacing the shingles. Consider having your roof professionally inspected if you notice substantial damage.
2. Vents
Vents are the perfect roost for bats because they’re dark, warm, sheltered, and secluded. Bats are very good at finding and accessing home vents. Sometimes, bats fly all the way through the vent and into your space. Luckily, keeping bats out of your vents is relatively easy! Invest in vent covers. Bat vent covers fit over the end of your vents outside and prevent animals from flying inside. You may have to replace vent covers once every couple years.
3. Chimneys
Chimneys are a popular bat roost. Bats fly inside because chimneys are warm, protected, and easily accessible. Once inside, they might use chimneys as permanent homes and even raise their young inside. Bats may even decide to fly down the chimney and into your home.
How to Keep Bats Out of Your Attic: Chimney Covers
Chimney covers are bat-proof screens that fit over the top of a chimney and keep animals out without restricting air flow. You’ll have to replace your chimney covers every now and then because bats can easily work their way through damaged covers.
4. Gaps in Framing
Over time, door and window frames crack, warp, and begin to break down. When that happens, gaps appear between the frame and wall, window, or door. All kinds of pests (including bats) use these gaps to make their way inside.
Every spring, check the outside and inside of your door and window frames for signs of damage. Keep your eyes peeled for cracks, gaps, and other damage—make sure the door and window sits in the frame properly. Use caulk to fill in any gaps and cracks.
5. Under the Fascia
The fascia board is a long, straight board mounted where the roof meets the wall of the house. It supports the roof trusses, the lower edge of the bottom tiles, and the rain gutters. Over time, your fascia board may warp or become damaged. When that happens, bats can squeeze up and under it to access your attics or walls. Inspect your fascia for signs of damage and fix them ASAP.
6. Rotting Siding
Unfortunately, bats can even use gaps in your siding to get into your home. When siding is damaged, it can reveal small cracks. Bats can easily wiggle through those spaces and find access points into your home or walls. Siding naturally breaks down after enough time and exposure to the elements. Replace damaged, rotting, or worn siding periodically to help keep bats out.
7. Gaps Under the Soffit
Soffits tend to take a lot of abuse from the elements. When they’re damaged, they can easily fall away or start to dangle. Bats can crawl up through damaged soffits and make their way into your attic or walls. If your soffit looks damaged, you should patch it up ASAP. It might be possible to replace your soffit relatively easily.
8. Open Windows
This one sounds obvious, but it happens more often than you’d think! Remember: bats only need a tiny gap to get into buildings. This means that bats have zero problem entering your home through an open door or window.
If you keep your windows open, especially at night, make sure your screens are sturdy and well-secured. Don’t leave unscreened windows open for extended periods of time, especially at night. Consider replacing your screens once a season, even if it seems like they’re not damaged. Be sure to close your windows whenever you’re not home.
How to Find Where Bats are Getting In
There will likely be bat guano (bat droppings) nearby where the bats are entering your home.
Along with guano, you may also find urine stains along popular bat spots (like gaps and cracks, for example). Bat urine is sometimes tough to see—however, look for a white mark or splash.
Keep the Bats at Bay with Bat Exclusion and Removal Services
Above are the most common ways bats get into houses, but not the only ways. You can do your best to prevent bats by caulking gaps and cracks and repairing damages to your home. However, the best way to keep bats from entering your home and prevent them from coming back is by hiring a professional wildlife control company. If you’ve got bats in your home, get in touch with Varment Guard. We provide humane and effective bat removal from attics, walls, and more. Plus, after we’ve kicked them out, we’ll make sure they cant’ get back in!
