Bat Trapping - How to Trap Bats

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How To Trap A Bat
Bats are animals that will tend to live together in large colonies, and it is common for those living in caves to number many thousand. However, there are situations in which it is possible for bats to find a way into the roof space of a domestic property, and in this situation they can often prove to be a noisy and messy problem. The natural instinct of many people will be to trap these animals or even to try and kill them, but in many situations this is more likely to cause more problems rather than solving them.

Choosing Your Bat Solution
In terms of trapping the bat, there are a number of solutions that can be adapted to catch bats if it is really necessary. The main problem is that trapping will not necessarily solve the problem of an infestation.

For those who are certain that there is a need to trap bats then the best way to do so is to trap them alive. Because most bats live in colonies, a trap for a solitary animal will very rarely solve the problem, so a repeater trap that will allow the animals to fly into the cage but not back out again will usually be the best way to trap bats.

There are some unscrupulous companies that will be willing to place glue traps in your roof space which will kill any bat that gets stuck to the trap. However, this is not only a slow and painful death for the bat, but it can also lead to other problems such as the odor from a decaying bat and the potential for attracting different pests into your attic.



The Real Solution To A Bat Infestation
The problem with trapping bats, whether they you do so with live or lethal traps is that it doesn’t solve the problem of a colony of bats in the roof cavity. To solve this, the roof cavity needs to be examined very carefully for any exit or entry points into that space. These should be sealed leaving only one or two exit points. A one-way valve or one-way netting should then be installed that will allow all of them to leave, but won’t allow bats back into the property. Once all the bats have been excluded from the attic, then these can also be sealed.

Locating The Bat Trap Or One-way Exit Solutions
For these methods to be effective they will need to be placed over the points in the roof space that the bat uses to go in and out. These can be very small, such as a loose roof tile or a hole about the size of a coin. It is best to use one or two traps or one-way exit solutions, as this will reduce the overall cost and will mean finishing the job once all the bats have been caught or have left will be less work.

There is no recognized bait for bat traps, because they are so difficult to catch in the open air. They do generally feed on flying insects, but trying to bait a trap in this way is almost impossible.



Handling And Removing The Bat
Bats are known for carrying rabies, and there are also other diseases that are associated with their droppings. This is another reason why exclusion is a much better solution to a bat problem rather than trapping. If there is no other alternative, ensure that you are wearing thick gloves when carrying or handling the trap, and avoid any contact with the bat at all.

In terms of releasing the animals, there may be local regulations about doing so. If the trap is opened in an area at least ten miles away from the property, the bats will quickly fly away.

More in-detail how-to bat removal articles:

Information about how to kill a bat - with fumigants or poison.
Information about how to keep bats away - prevention techniques.
Information about how to catch a bat - remove one stuck in the house.
Information about bat repellent - analysis of types and effectiveness.

This site is intended to provide bat education and information on how to trap a bat in your house or attic, so that you can make an informed decision if you need to deal with a bat problem in your attic or house. This site provides many bat control articles and strategies, if you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. If you are unable to do so, which is likely with many cases of bat removal, please go to the home page and click the USA map, where I have wildlife removal experts listed in over 500 cites and towns, who can properly help you with your nuisance bat.

For more information, go back to my main how to get rid of bats page.