Since childhood, many of us were afraid of bats. Frankly speaking, I surely was. With time, I realized that they are not vampires and cannot turn into a witch, Dracula, or something.
However, they remain unpleasant due to their pest nature in relation to human dwellings. And I’m not talking about old gothic castles. They can get into and create their nests in our regular houses, for example, in the attic.
That is why people look for the best bat repellents to protect their homes. It is not only about the inconvenience and annoyance but about the safety as well.
Bats lead to the uncleanliness of the house, can damage the utilities and house structures, or even distribute some diseases. Let’s find out more about how you can solve this problem and what is important to consider.
Top 5 Best Bat Repellents: Reviewing My Favorite Products
- 150 Watt LED Light Bulb, Super Bright
- Lasko Oscillating Industrial Fan
- FlyBye Copper Mesh
- Old Fashioned Original Moth Balls
- Snake-a-way Repelling Granules
I collected 5 solutions for fighting bats that I’ve found effective. Below, you will find my reviews on each of them and recommendations for their usage.
1. 150 Watt LED Light Bulb, Super Bright: an Affordable Best Bat Repellent
Specifications:
- Light Type: LED
- Indoor/Outdoor Usage: Indoor
- Wattage: 150 Watts
- Item Weight: 1.04 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 5.85 x 3.12 x 5.58 inches
- Light Color Daylight: White
It is a well-known fact that bats are not fans of the bright light. For their nests, they choose dark and quiet places, and they live nightlife. That is why a bright light bulb can become the best bat repellent that is safe for you and the environment at the same time.
Comparing to some popular products that use chemicals, LED Light Bulb just lightens up the area making it uncomfortable for bats. Experts recommend illuminating the nests you might detect so the animal will leave them soon after this.
It is important to make sure the room is light enough, and there are no dark corners for bats to relocate or hide. For a large attic, you might need a few bulbs. LED technology is energy-saving so you will not spend much on electricity while fighting bats. However, the downside of this method is that you need electricity for bulbs to shine, so make sure your attic has the required power supply.
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2. Lasko Oscillating Industrial Fan: Unexpected Bat Deterrent Devices
Specifications:
- Electric fan design: Floor Fan
- Power Source: Corded Electric
- Room Type: Warehouse, Office, Garage, Basement
- Item Weight: 41 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 30.5 x 33 x 90 inches
Another surprising anti-bat trick is the oscillating industrial fan by Lasko. The thing is these creatures also hate the direct airflow along with the light. So setting fans in the dark closed areas is a proven method for repelling bats.
This fan is a good choice as it covers a large area due to its rotating feature. You can put it into the corner and treat the open area. Moreover, as soon as all bats are out, you will have a wide industrial fan that is useful in hot days or when you need extreme ventilation.
But, as it was with light bulbs, here we also need the energy supply to keep the fan working, and it will probably require more electricity. Also, it might be noisy, and direct airflow might move light objects in the room. And if the room is stuffed, the airflow might not reach some corners leaving bats in their hiding places.
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3. FlyBye Copper Mesh for Repelling Bats
Specifications:
- Roll is 6 inches wide, double folded 100 ft long
- Material: Copper Mesh
- Item Weight: 2 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 x 6 inches
- Pest Types: Birds, Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Cats, Dogs
How to prevent bat invasion? Just cover all possible entrance holes for them. That is what this FlyBye copper mesh is used for. This is a soft material that you can cut it in any size to cover cracks, crevices, and other holes the animal can use for getting inside.
This is one of the bat control products that are used for keeping them out. There are no chemicals in its content, so it is safe for your family, pets, and the environment. Also, covering holes with this mesh will help you to prevent other kinds of infestation (mice, rats, snails, birds, some insects, etc.). Moreover, it is non-flammable, so it cannot cause any danger considering this issue.
But be aware of using this mesh when the bat is already inside. Covering its entrance, you might trap the animal inside, and then you will need to find other ways to get the bat out.
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4. Old Fashioned Original Moth Balls as Bat Control Products
Specifications:
- No Clinging Odor
- Volume: 1 Fluid Ounces
- Item Weight: 15 ounces
- Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.6 x 4.5 inches
- Pest Types: Moth, Carpet Beetles
Mothballs are proven against moth and carpet beetles, but they can also help in our battle with bats. They contain chemicals that can repel bats from closed places like attics, wardrobes, closets, etc. Even when the smell is gone, the repelling effect remains, which makes it a good idea to use moth balls for bats. One package contains approximately 120 balls, which is enough to cover up to 42-cubic-feet area.
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5. Snake-a-way Repelling Granules: Using Against Bats
Specifications:
- Active Ingredient: Naphthalene 7%, Sulfur 28%
- Item Form: Granules
- Item Weight: 4.03 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 15 x 12 x 12 inches
- Target pests: Snakes
A well-known chemical that works against bats is naphthalene. These Snake-a-way Repelling Granules contain enough of it to repel bats. In combination with sulfur, naphthalene creates an odor that is unpleasant to bats as well as snakes. These granules cause nervous distress and keep the pests away.
Among downsides, I can name the fact that chemicals in this product are not safe for pets and children, as well as the environment. So consider this before use. However, they are safer than bat repellent spray, as you have to use it on the animal directly.
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Types of Bat Control Products
There are plenty of products that are claimed to be effective starting from essential oils to get rid of bats and ending with ultrasonic devices. Their main purpose is to create the conditions the animals will feel uncomfortable in so they leave the place eventually. Here are the main types of repellents:
Chemicals
They can be in the form of a spray, balls, granules, etc. These products distribute chemical elements like naphthalene to release it in the air. Bats will not be able to breathe properly so they will look for another place with fresh air.
Physical impact
Many devices are designed for repelling bats. However, there are some objects like light bulbs or fans that can help you with pests, remaining useful in the house afterwards. Among special devices, I can name ultrasonic bat repellers, but they have not been confirmed as proven anti-pest treatments. At the same time, light, and direct airflow deter these nocturnal animals for sure.
However, there are some challenges you have to consider. For instance, light bulbs must be bright enough and illuminate the entire place not leaving the dark corners. Fans with direct airflow should also cover the entire room.
Alternative remedies
There are some cheaper and easier ways for fighting bats that, however, are effective in some cases. For instance, you can replace sprays and treatments with harsh chemicals with peppermint oil for bats. There are also various recipes for homemade repellents.
Another way to protect your home is to cover holes and cracks with cooper mash or another stuffing to close any entrance that bats can use to get into your attic.
Methods for Repelling Bats
Although most people are afraid of bats, they are not aggressive animals. Only a few spices bite and literary drink blood, while others eat insects, fruits, and small amphibians. But for people, bats in houses can cause big problems starting from noise and odor and ending with diseases, transmitted or caused by their feces. Here are some approaches that will help in protecting your home from the bat invasion:
- Regular check. Even the best house wears out eventually. So you have to check the exterior regularly to detect damages and prevent cases of bats and other pests getting inside. Seal or stuff cracks and holes with special sealant or mesh.
- Create uncomfortable conditions. As I have already said before, bats like when it is dark and quiet. So if you clean and create some movements in the risky area regularly, you will send bats the message it is not a good place for them to live.
- Create alternative nests. It is a less harmful solution as you provide an alternative for bats preventing them from looking for shelter inside your house.
- Repellents. You can use any of the described repelling methods starting with light or airflow and ending with trying out some devices that make bat repellent sound (but remember, their effectiveness has not been proven yet).
- Clean the affected areas. Getting rid of bats is not enough for preventing re-invasion. Make sure you vacuum bat droppings and scrub the area with a cleaning product to eliminate the smell, which can become a signal for other creatures.
Bat in the House: What to Do?
There are two cases when you can meet a bat in your house: when a solitary animal accidentally gets inside your house or when there is a colony somewhere in the building. The second case requires a comprehensive approach and, in most cases, professional treatment.
But in the first case, you can release the animal easily without harming it. Moreover, bats are good for nature, so it is better to look for safe repelling methods. Here’s what you should do:
- Take pets and kids away to protect them from accidental injuries;
- Open the window and turn the light off. The bat will calm down and leave the room in a few minutes;
- In other cases, you can trap the animal with a box or jar, stick a cardboard piece under it and then bring the bat outside.
Note the following:
- While dealing with a bat, protect yourself with thick gloves or mittens, if possible.
- Do not release bats during the day, wait till night.
- Do not take and throw a bat away while it’s sleeping, but take it into your hands, wake it up, and then release.
- If you catch the animal during the hibernation season, it is better to keep it inside till warm or bring it to the vet.
FAQ
What Attracts Bats to Your House?
Bats like dark, quiet, and cramped places. Therefore, attics, closets, and small dark rooms are very attractive to them. They also might choose your house as they like the temperature, humidity, and other physical conditions.
As soon as the bat starts looking for a cover, open windows, cracks, holes can become their entrance. Also, you might live near the food source that is an obvious attractant.
How to Repel Bats Naturally?
You can use a natural bat repellent like essential oils, eucalyptus or cinnamon. Other safe methods of protection against bats are:
- repaired walls – the fewer openings in your house, the fewer the chances bats will fly in;
- mirrors – in combination with lighting, you can illuminate a wider area;
- water spray – you can repel bats without harming them by watering their nests regularly;
- Christmas decorations – they are shiny and blinking, so bats will never fly towards them.
Do Electronic Bat Removal Devices Work?
Most of these devices are not effective enough or have a short-range coverage, so they cannot guarantee the 100% result. They might be good as an addition to a strong repelling method.
Do Moth Balls Repel Bats?
Yes, as they contain the effective bat control repellent naphthalene. And mothballs contain a lot of it. These balls are effective against bats as they not only repel but also eliminate cases or re-invasion. But mothballs with naphthalene can be harmful to your health.
Prevention Is Better Than Fighting
We have discussed some effective anti-bats methods and reviewed some qualitative bat deterrent devices. But I want to point out that it is better to prevent bats from getting inside your dwelling. These creatures are not that bad when they are outside.
So, by maintaining the order inside your house, you will repel bats without even knowing about it. Make sure that your attic window is closed; all cracks and holes are stuffed and sealed, and there is no mess in your place where bats can create nests.
Have you ever faced problems with bats inside your house? Or maybe you know how other people have dealt with this problem? Tell your story in the comments.
References:
- Bats (Judy Loven, Animal Damage Management Specialist Department of Entomology):
https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/ADM-11.pdf - Bats in Houses (Maryland Department of Natural Resources):
https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/bats/batsinhome.aspx - BATS (Arizona State University):
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/bats - Bat Control (Missouri Department of Conservation):
https://mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/nuisance-problem-species/nuisance-native-species/bat-control
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