When temperatures start getting colder in the winter, humans begin to want to spend less time outside. Animals operate the same way, as they seek to avoid the cold weather in favor of a warm, heated spot. As such, bats, which hibernate during the winter, can try to find their way into your home for a quiet and restful hibernation period.
During the cold winter months, not enough insects are available outside for bats to have enough energy to survive the temperatures. And while the creatures have historically flocked to caves for hibernation purposes, many bats have recently discovered that attics are also a nice place to hibernate, as they snuggle into the insulation in walls or find a nice cozy spot.
Of course, not all bats go into hibernation, as many different kinds of bats simply migrate to warmer climates, similar to birds or butterflies. For the bats which remain in cold climates, though, they treat fall as a period of eating and fattening up in preparation for the slight winter months. Beginning in about November, bats will begin to hibernate until March or April, depending on when it becomes warm enough for the furry mammals.
Bats can enter a home through a wide variety of methods, but the common factor is a small hole or opening that they can squeeze into. A loose or missing shingle on the roof of the house, a gap in brickwork and a simple opening into an attic are all ways bats can find their way into a home.
Once bats are inside a home, they are not silent, even during hibernation periods. The bats are not asleep during the entire four or five-month period, which presents the chance for a scary encounter with a bat. If they nestle in the walls, they move around every few weeks or so to reposition their bodies, producing a scratching sound from the walls. Additionally, they may cause a unique and unpleasant smell to develop with their waste productions.
Bats may also search out in seek of food, and could fail to make it back to their original hiding spot, leaving them fluttering around your home. If you do happen to come across a bat in such a situation, trap the bat in a room and call Shumaker Animal Control. Bats do not attack humans, but they can carry rabies in certain situations, so it best to leave removal to the experts.
If you are concerned over a potential bat problem in your home, leave it to the experts at Shumaker Animal Control to take care of your problem and secure your home.
At Shumaker Animal Control, we are a family-owned business who cares about the safety of you and your family but also about the well-being of the animals themselves. All of our trapping and control methods are humane, as we never try to hurt the angry or scared animal.
Call us at 443-854-8072 or view the our website and fill out our contact form for more information.
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