Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley

A Rehabilitation, Release & Educational Facility
Bats
Coexisting with Our Neighbors
   
More than twenty species of bats exist in California. However, their numbers are declining due to loss of habitat. Most bats communicate and navigate with high-frequency sounds, much like dolphins. During the fall in some regions, bats migrate to warmer areas or hibernate. Most bats are insectivores, while others feed on fruit, mice, and small vertebrates.

Preventing a Problem: Walk around the exterior of your house to look for places that can serve as a point of entry for bats. Bats can fit through very tiny spaces, so your search must be thorough. Bats do not chew holes in walls or electrical insulation. Look for:
  • unscreened windows; uncapped chimneys; loose-fitting screen doors
  • doors with a space at the bottom (buy a draft guard)
  • any hole greater than one-half inch in diameter or a crack .25” x 1.5” or greater

Openings should be closed with steel wool, duct tape, or a screen.

Removal of a (healthy) individual bat

If the bat is awake: Open all doors and windows in the room that lead outside. Close off the rest of the house. You may wish to observe from outside to verify the bat leaves the house.
If the bat is asleep:  Without touching the bat, gently scoop it into a small container (like a shoebox) using a cloth or a piece of paper. Put a soft cloth into the box to give the bat something to cling to. Cover the box and place it where it cannot be disturbed by pets or children, and allow it to awaken before releasing. Before a bat is able to fly, it needs time to warm up as it comes out of sleep. When the bat is awake, release it outside. Remember, bats are wild animals, so never touch the bat directly with bare hands.

Removal of a Bat Colony

Most bat colonies naturally leave their roosts in the fall, so this is the best time to bat-proof your house for next season.

If you don’t want to wait until fall, watch as the the bats leave at dusk to feed. Observe point of exit, and cover exit. DO NOT do this during the summer months (June - August). This is when flightless young are present. It is inhumane to separate a parent from a dependent offspring.

What to do if you find an injured bat: If you find a sick or injured bat in your house or yard, leave it alone. Call the Wildlife Center for further information.

Consider building a bat house: Bats are living in attics and other human dwellings because they are facing a serious loss of habitat. Bat houses are compact and take up minimal room. In our climate, the optimal placement is where they can receive eight hours of sun per day. Bat houses can be purchased through www.batcon.org or build your own! Instructions for building a bat house can be found at www.californiabats.com.

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