Going Batty Upstairs? Why Bat Activity Increases in the Fall and What to Do If They’re in Your Attic

Bats have a way of sneaking into our everyday conversations. We might call someone “batty” or say they have “bats in the belfry” when they’re acting a bit unhinged. You can “bat your eyelashes,” run like “a bat out of hell,” or be “blind as a bat.” These winged creatures have fluttered into our language so effortlessly they’re practically welcome in our conversations. However, we appreciate their presence far less in our attics and homes.

Bats: A Misunderstood Mammal

Bats have long been the stars of spooky tales, often cast as villains thanks to myths like Dracula. In reality, these creatures are more like superheroes than monsters. Bats are an essential part of the ecosystem, devouring thousands of insects each night—including mosquitoes, some of which carry viruses like West Nile. Certain bat species also help pollinate plants, like the agave plant, which is essential for making tequila. So, the next time you enjoy a Margarita, you might just have a bat to thank!

And here’s a fun fact: Bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight. But as much as we admire their insect-eating prowess and pollination powers, we’d prefer they keep their activities outdoors and not inside our homes.

Why Bat Activity Increases in the Fall in New England

Bats in New England are particularly active in the fall for several reasons:

• The Pups Are Leaving the Roost: By late summer, bat pups start learning to fly in preparation for leaving home. In fact, you might hear scratching and squeaking as the pups make their way outside.
• Preparation for Hibernation: As the weather cools, bats start preparing for winter. In New England, most bats hibernate during the cold months, so in the fall, they are busy searching for food to build up fat reserves that will sustain them through hibernation.
• Migration: Some bat species in New England migrate south for the winter. The fall is a critical time for these bats to feed heavily before making their long journey. However, not all migrate. The big brown bat, one of the most common bats in New England, may choose to hibernate right in your attic.
• Mating Season: For many bat species in New England, fall is also the mating season. Male bats are particularly active during this time as they seek out females to mate with before hibernation begins. The females can delay fertilization, so they don’t give birth until spring.
• Insect Activity: Bats feed primarily on insects, and in the fall, there is often a surge in insect activity before the first frost, which provides bats with a final opportunity to feed before the insects disappear for the winter.

How and Why Do Bats Go Indoors?

Bats want to live in your home for the same reasons you do: There’s shelter, warmth, and safety. They need only 3/8” (about the size of a dime) to get in, so gaps in the roof, walls, or foundation, vents, loose screens, chimney flues, and even pet doors can all give them easy access.

Why Do Bats Love New England Homes?

New England’s homes, with their charming (and often drafty) old-world architecture, are like a paradise for bats. With countless nooks and crannies, these homes are perfect for bats looking for a warm, cozy place to roost and raise their pups. Bats are long-term tenants: Females may return to the same place to roost year after year.

Signs There Are Bats in Your Home

Keep an eye out for telltale signs like dark stains caused by the oils on a bat’s body that leave behind a brown or black residue when they squeeze through a hole. Other signs include small piles of guano (bat droppings) or an ammonia odor from bat urine. These are clear indicators that you might have some uninvited guests in your residence.

Bats and Health Issues

Having bats in your attic isn’t just an inconvenience; it can lead to a host of health problems. Piles of guano (bat droppings) carry potential health risks like histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by breathing in a fungus that can grow in the guano. Severe infections can be life-threatening.

Bat Removal and Prevention the Humane Way

Trying to handle bat removal on your own? That’s a bit, well, batty! Bats will bite to defend themselves, and since they can carry rabies, you definitely don’t want to risk a bite. If you’ve noticed you have some tiny, winged tenants flying around your home, it’s time to take action—humanely, of course.

At the first sign of bats, call a pest management professional. They have the experience to find bat entry points and evict your unwanted guests from the premises using exclusion, the gentle process of persuading your nocturnal visitors to find a new place to hang out. It’s the best way to protect both your home and these fascinating little creatures.

Our Pest-End Exclusion Pro Home System is a chemical-free and humane solution for gently guiding bats out of your home and keeping them from returning. Non-lethal, durable wildlife barriers safely remove the bats and get them back outdoors where they belong. They also prevent them from getting back into your home.

Our bat removal service includes a thorough inspection, exclusion devices, entry-point sealing, and a service warranty. If any bats happen to come back, don’t worry—we’ll be there to take care of it and keep your home bat-free.

Timing Is Everything

If you seal up your attic before the bat pups leave the roost, you risk trapping them inside. There, they may die or find a way to get into the rest of your home. Desperate to reunite with their young, the mother bats might also enter your living spaces, creating even more chaos as they search for their pups. Fall to early spring, when bats are hibernating, is the best time for exclusion measures. Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation inspection!

‍