Your unoccupied cabin in the woods may be prime real estate… for bats.  Bats typically roost in tropical and temperate areas with a plentiful food supply—the same areas commonly chosen by vacationers. Without eternal vigilance, a colony of these freeloading tenants can move into your vacation home virtually unnoticed.

Bats, swathed in lore as vicious blood-sucking creatures, actually provide a priceless service—insect control.   They are nature's very own pest control service, ridding cities of unwanted mosquitoes, gnats, and flies in their wake.  But what do you do when a colony of nature's Orkin men move into your vacation home?

Small and nimble, bats can squeeze into a hole the size a grape, usually entering the upper areas of the home by finding gaps between the roofing and siding.  These gaps can be caused by squirrels, birds, aging wood, or poor construction.  While bats do not create the holes, they are pros at finding them.

Think you may have bats?  Look for these signs:
• Droppings on the ground surrounding your house.  Droppings are dark brown and slightly larger than a grain of rice.
• Stained window edges, siding, or window-mounted air units-- the natural oils on a bat's fur leave a brown residue on any surface the bat touches.
• An unpleasant, musty smell.
• Unusual noises (i.e. squeaking, rustling) coming from the upper regions of your house.
• Seeing two or more bats on your property on more than one occasion.

If you determine that a bat colony may be roosting in your rental home, immediately call a professional pest removal service to evict them.

If a professional cannot come right away, follow these steps:
• Post warning signs alerting renters to the presence of the bats and the dangers of rabies and histoplasmosis.
• Identify possible openings during the day and then watch the holes at dusk to see where the bats exit.
• Seal secondary openings with a sealant such as caulk or expanding foam.
• Wait to tackle the primary opening until after the bats leave at dusk.  If the opening is small, seal it.  Otherwise “bat proof” it, by covering the opening with bird netting and shining bright lights into and out of its entrance.

While bats are important parts of our ecosystem, they are not exactly beloved houseguests.  Like most of nature's furry freeloading occupants, bats can be thwarted by a few preventative measures before they get the chance to check-in.

How to prevent an infestation:
• Check your home regularly for holes between the roofing and siding.
• Fill discovered holes with a sealant such as caulk or expanding foam.
• Cover vents with a fine screen.
• Keep squirrels and birds from congregating around your house.
• Close chimney flutes and dampers when not in use.
• Provide alternative housing for bats elsewhere on your property.

© Copyright 2006 HomeAway, Inc.

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