How to Bat-Proof Your Home: 5 Proven DIY Fixes Backed by Experts

Let’s face it: bats don’t break in for fun. Your house is providing them with what they need, if they are present: a place to stay, warmth, and convenience. And I’ve witnessed this occur more frequently than you might think.

Bats are able to squeeze through half-inch gaps. Your pinky is thicker than that. Therefore, little spaces like vents, soffits, or rooflines can be large ones even if your home appears to be sealed. Bats were entering one of my clients’ attic vents because the screen was gone. That was all. It only needed that.

It’s not only the openings, though. They may also be attracted to your surroundings. Standing water sources, such as birdbaths or clogged gutters, will attract insects, which bats will use as food. More bats are a result of more bugs.

They do not wish to frighten you. They are simply searching for the simplest means of obtaining food and ensuring their safety, just like animals do. What is the real issue? Unless you take action, once they’re in, they frequently come back year after year.

The first step in permanently stopping bats is not using traps or sprays. It’s comprehending why they first choose your house. That serves as the basis for all subsequent fixes.

Have you observed any potential entry points for bats? Examine chimneys, vents, and even small spaces along the roof. Which location will you check today?

How to Find and Seal Every Entry Point (Even the Ones You Can t See)

Before you do anything else, you must determine the precise method via which bats are entering. Don’t speculate. Not hoping. examining it in person. They will return immediately if you miss even a single tiny spot.

The roofline should come first. The most frequent issues I see are loose flashing, broken soffits, open vents, and cracks where the roof meets the siding. Attic vents and chimneys are also frequent issues. Use a torch at dusk and keep an eye out for any activity. If there are bats within, they will depart at dusk.

A clever trick?Watch for bats flying out of the house for around half an hour after dark. Your primary point of entrance is where they emerge.

The moment has come to seal. The issue, though, is that you cannot seal the door while the bats are inside. You must first implement a one-way exclusion mechanism, which we will discuss in the following section. After that, you can safely release them and close all the gaps.

Avoid taking shortcuts during sealing.Use hardware cloth, metal mesh, or heavy-duty caulk, depending on what works best for the gap. Spray foam doesn’t stay long on its own, particularly when it’s exposed to pests or the elements.

If your vents have screens or caps, install them. Brick or siding gaps can be filled with high-quality silicone or expanding foam. Just make sure it’s animal-safe and waterproof.

The upper portions of their homes are often overlooked by homeowners. A ladder and a second set of eyes can therefore be quite helpful.

Sealing oneself should be your first line of defense. If you rush through it or skip it, you’re not solving the issue. You’re merely providing bats with a brief respite.

When was the last time you gave the attic vents and roofline a close inspection? This weekend, take a torch and go for a leisurely stroll. Observe what?

Use One-Way Exclusion Devices (The Only Humane Way to Get Bats Out)

Once you have located the entrance locations, do not immediately seal them off. Blocking those entrances keeps bats imprisoned if they are still inside. In addition to being cruel, that is illegal in many places. A gadget that only allows one person to enter is required.

These are straightforward but incredibly clever. Bats are permitted to go, but they are not permitted to return. It resembles an animal turnstile. You may make one yourself using netting or flexible plastic tubing, or you can purchase one online.I’ve previously worked with clear plastic tubing. It mixes in with the building and doesn’t frighten the bats, therefore it works perfectly.

Place the device over the primary exit. You should leave it there for at least five to seven nights so that all of the bats can go.Keep an eye out; they’re most likely gone if you don’t witness any movement after a few nights.

Crucial: exclusion should only occur following the maternity season, which varies by region. Late summer to early fall is the safest period of year in the United States. Bats will perish if you keep them outside when they are giving birth. In addition to being awful, this will result in a whole new set of issues (biohazard, infestation, and smell).

Close all gaps once you are certain they have disappeared. That’s the long-term solution.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is a good source of information.and a number of state agencies claim that this is the only method of bat removal that is both legal and efficient.

The primary argument is that one-way exclusion is effective since it is lawful, respects the animal, and accomplishes the desired result. Poison, traps, and premature sealing are all illegal, harmful, or both.

Are there any bat nesting sites in your area at the moment? Check your local wildlife site or call a local expert before posting anything. You may not think timing matters all that much.

Change What s Attracting Bats in the First Place (Most People Skip This)

Some homes still draw bats year after year, even after sealing every hole and putting in exclusion devices. Why? Because the area around your house is helping them, not hurting them.

Let s begin with bugs. Every night, bats devour hundreds of invertebrates, mostly moths, mosquitoes, and beetles. If your garden is a banquet, they ll stay. A big one is standing water. Birdbaths, clogged gutters, puddles, and even lawns that are too wet are all great places for mosquitoes to breed. If you fix those, you stop the feeding supply.

Next, there s light. Some outdoor lights, especially those with warm tones, attract a lot of bugs, which in turn attract bats. Change to yellow orbug-safeLEDs, or even better, utilise lights that only turn on when you need them.

Are trees too close to your roof? Cut them down. Bats often use branches that dangle down to get to higher places, like gables or attic vents. You make it tougher to get to your house if you take that runway away.

A lot of individuals skip this stage because they don t think it s important. But what about the homes that don t get bats back next year? They did this part right.

If your attic is unusually warm or poorly ventilated,your HVAC system might also be giving bats easy warmth and airflow accesssomething they instinctively look for when choosing roosting spots.

The lesson is that you re not just keeping bats out; you re also making your home seem bad from the outside. That s how you stop the loop.

What is one thing in your garden right now that could be attracting bats? Is it a birdbath, a bright light on the porch, or maybe an ancient tree branch that is close to the roof? Choose one and deal with it this week.

Try What Real DIYers Swear By: Proven Bat Deterrents That Actually Work

Deterrents give your home an extra layer of safety once you ve sealed it and gotten rid of the bats. On their own, these aren t miraculous answers, but when used with the methods above, they help discourage bats from finding your place.

First, let s talk about ultrasonic repellents. These plug-in gadgets make high-pitched sounds that bats don t like but people can t hear. Are they foolproof? No. But genuine homeowners, especially those with older homes, have had good success when they use them wisely, such near known entry points or in attics.

This tip came from a Reddit user onr/homestead:

We plugged one in near the attic vent, and the fluttering stopped that week.

After that, there are natural fragrance repellents. Bats don t appreciate strong fragrances like peppermint oil, cinnamon, and cloves. Soaking cotton balls and putting them near old entry points or attic corners won t injure anything and might keep any stragglers from coming back.

People talk a lot about mothballs, buthere s the thing:they re poisonous and not safe for kids or pets. Don t use them unless you have to in a remote, hard-to-reach area. Even then, be careful.

And last but not least, bat boxes. If bats are roosting close to your house, putting up a bat house 15 30 feet away can get them to go somewhere else. You re not simply forcing them away; you re giving them a safer, more controlled option that helps your yard too (they still eat the bugs, but not from your attic).

Deterrents aren t the first thing you do; they re the fifth. But they assist keep the long-term results by being used with sealing, exclusion, and cleanup.

Have you ever used ultrasonic, scent-based, or other types of deterrents? What worked (or didn t work) in your space? Someone else who is thinking about the same fix might benefit from your feedback.

Lock It In: Final Steps to Keep Bats Out for Good

So now you ve located the ways in, utilised humane exclusion devices, shut up all the holes, gotten rid of the things that attract them, and set up things that keep them away. That s a good strategy, but here s what makes fast solutions different from real results: Follow-through.

A lot of homeowners stop at step three and think the problem is fixed. But bats do the same things over and over again. If they slept in your attic once, they ll remember how to get back and will keep trying for years.

This is how to remain ahead:

• Check sealed sections again every season, especially after storms or strong winds. A little fracture that opens again can ruin all your hard work.
• Keep outdoor lighting bug-proof and water sources to a minimum. In the summer, mosquitoes come back quickly.
• Keep the junk in your attic well sealed. Mice and other vermin might try to get in next, even if bats don t.
• Keep track of when bat season starts and ends in your area. Know when it s okay to act and when you shouldn t leave them out.

And what if the problem starts to come back? Don t put it off. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to stay in charge.

Bat-proofing isn t something you do once; it s a way of thinking. Your home stays sealed, tidy, and off the map for wildlife with just seasonal upkeep.

And don t forget about drainageclogged pipes or poor plumbing can lead to moisture issues, which can attract insects and wildlife over time, including bats.

Stop the Cycle And Take Back Control of Your Home

Bats in the attic aren t simply annoying;they mean that your home isn t very safe. And the truth is, there isn t one thing or quick remedy that will make everything better. But if you follow a system find the entry places, let them leave safely, seal everything, cut off what attracts them, and install deterrents you ll never have to deal with the problem again.

You don t need to pay for pricey pest control contracts or assume what to do. You only need a plan, a ladder, and the time to do it well.

Bats will go once you ve closed all the doors and made your place unwelcoming to them. Then you ll be able to sleep better knowing they won t come back.

And if you want expert guidance, tools, or product recommendations you can trust, head over toBuild Like Newwe break down real fixes that actually hold up over time.

What happened to you?

Have you ever had bats in your house? What worked and what didn t?

Or if you re new, what s your biggest worry or question?

Leave a comment below. Someone else might need to hear what you went through.

Disclaimer:This article is for informational purposes only. Bat removal is regulated in many areas always check local laws before taking action. If you re unsure or dealing with a major issue, consult a licensed wildlife or pest control professional.

Build Like New does not provide pest control services and is not liable for misuse of tools or methods discussed.

Table of Contents

• How to Bat-Proof Your Home: 5 Proven DIY Fixes Backed by Experts

  • How to Find and Seal Every Entry Point (Even the Ones You Can t See)

  • Use One-Way Exclusion Devices (The Only Humane Way to Get Bats Out)

  • Change What s Attracting Bats in the First Place (Most People Skip This)

  • Try What Real DIYers Swear By: Proven Bat Deterrents That Actually Work

  • Lock It In: Final Steps to Keep Bats Out for Good

  • Stop the Cycle And Take Back Control of Your Home

• How to Find and Seal Every Entry Point (Even the Ones You Can t See)

• Use One-Way Exclusion Devices (The Only Humane Way to Get Bats Out)

• Change What s Attracting Bats in the First Place (Most People Skip This)

• Try What Real DIYers Swear By: Proven Bat Deterrents That Actually Work

• Lock It In: Final Steps to Keep Bats Out for Good

• Stop the Cycle And Take Back Control of Your Home