Where do Bats Live and Sleep?

Throughout the year, bats move between roosts, often having one for the summer, where large groups of females form maternity colonies raise their young, and another roost for the winter where they will hibernating bats. In the wild, these roosts are formed in wooded areas, caves, rock crevices, and any other places that bats can find to protect them from the weather conditions and allow a safe resting place away from predators.

However, due to the loss of their natural habitat, species of bats such as big brown bats, Mexican free-tailed bats, northern long-eared bats, little brown bats, Virginia big-eared bats, and hoary bats must now seek alternative places that suit their needs, which is why you may notice them appearing in your attic, chimney or crawlspaces within the home. Although these roosts may start off with just one or two bats, with the right conditions and in an area of high bat population they can grow to host hundreds or even thousands of bats which is bad news for homeowners.

As well as being known for being carriers of rabies, there are a number of reasons that you should seek to avoid having a bat roost in your home. Although these creatures are relatively harmless, their living habits do not make them good house guests. You also have to bear in mind bat conservation as these creatures are protected.

One of the first things you may notice about a bat roost is the smell. Large piles of droppings (bat guano) accumulate beneath the roost and with colonies of several or even dozens of bats. This accumulation of bat guano is a significant health hazard and can attract additional pests and insects to the area, which can cause secondary problems. Their urine also has a particularly pungent odor that can linger in your home for a very long time. Once you have cleared your home of a bat roost, a deep clean and redecoration will likely be needed to return the area to its previous state.

One of the best ways to avoid a bat roost in your home is to address the reason why one might form there in the first place. That means to provide a suitable and preferable alternative roost location which will help them keep safe and warm following the loss of their natural habitat.

By creating a suitable environment you can help protect these endangered species and support conservation efforts, without the hassle of having them in your home. What’s more, you are likely to also appreciate the side effect of a significantly reduced mosquito population in the surrounding area.

While the fight to halt the loss of their natural habitat continues, providing a safe and warm location for them to roost is not only a great way to help the species and the environment but also a way to give you peace of mind and stop your home playing host to large, foul-smelling bat colonies.

When installing a bat house, you should position it between 10 and 20 feet above the ground and ideally far away from trees that may host predatory owls, helping the bats feel safe in setting up their roost. Bats do not search for new roosts all year round. So, for this reason, you may not see immediate occupancy, but if the roost is well-positioned then the bats will be sure to come when the time is right