Getting Rid of Unwanted Pests: A Guide to Rat and Bat Removal

Bat Removal - How to Get Rid of Bats in Your Home

Bats are amazing creatures that play an important role in our ecosystems. However, having bats roosting in your home can present some challenges. Here are some tips for safely bat removal from your house.

Why Bats Enter Homes

Bats may enter homes through small openings in the roof, walls, chimney, or eaves. They are attracted to dark, warm spaces like attics for roosting. Female bats may also enter houses in spring to give birth and raise baby bats (pups).

Health and Safety Concerns with Bats

While most bats don't cause problems, their droppings can allow germs to grow, including histoplasmosis. Bats should always be handled with care as they can carry rabies. If you find bats in your living space, have them tested. Also wear thick gloves if handling them.

Inspection and Identification 

Inspect your home's exterior carefully to find potential entry points. Watch the house at dusk to see where bats exit. Identify what type of bat species you have - this will determine necessary removal steps. In the U.S., common species include little brown bats, big brown bats, and Mexican free-tailed bats. An expert can help with identification.

Removal Methods

Here are some common methods to get rid of bats:

Exclude: Once the bats leave to forage at night, seal shut all possible entrances with caulk, foam, netting, steel wool, or other excluders. This is the most effective long-term solution.

Use lights/sounds: Set up bright lights or ultrasonic high-pitch sounds in the roosting area. These can help repel bats.

Remove by hand: If just a few bats are present, an expert can capture and release them outdoors using thick gloves and nets. This should be done at night when bats are active but less mobile.

Clean-up and Prevention

After removing bats, it's critical to clean areas contaminated by guano and urine which may contain microscopic spores. Wear protective gear. Disinfect and sanitize the space thoroughly. Also install new insulation if needed.

To keep bats from returning, continue sealing up any remaining gaps and holes they could use to re-enter. Place new screens, chimney caps, and vents as needed. Monitor areas for any new signs of bat activity. Act quickly if bats attempt to roost again.

Proper bat control takes patience but is important for health. For severe infestations, contact a local bat removal company for assistance. With the right methods, you can evict bats humanely and reclaim your home.

Rat Removal – How to Get Rid of Rats in Your House

Rats can multiply quickly and cause major damage if infestations aren't addressed promptly. Here are effective methods for removing rats and keeping them away from your home.

Why Rats Enter Houses

Rats require food, water and shelter to survive. They enter structures looking for easy access to food waste or pet food. Rats will shelter in hidden crawlspaces, attics, wall voids, and cluttered areas.

Health Risks from Rats  

Rats can spread over 35 diseases to humans through bites, urine, droppings, or simply contaminating food. Diseases linked to rats include salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever. Rats should always be handled with extreme caution.

Inspection and Identification

Check inside and outside the home for signs of rat activity. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, rub marks, tracks, burrows, and nests. Also listen for scratching or gnawing sounds at night. Identify what type of rat you have – roof, brown, or Norway rats are most common in the U.S.

Removal Methods 

Here are some common and effective ways to get rid of rats:

Traps: Snap traps or live cage traps lured with peanut butter, nuts or dried fruit can be very effective. Place along walls or rafters.

Poison baits: Rodenticide baits kill rats but also carry risks of poisoning pets or children, so use with extreme care.

Seal entry points: Check the exterior and interior to seal up any holes, cracks or openings wider than 1⁄4 inch that could allow rats to enter. Use steel wool, caulk, concrete, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting. 

Remove clutter and food: Store all food including pet food in sealed metal or thick plastic containers. Get rid of clutter and junk piles where rats hide.

Post Removal Prevention

After rats have been removed, take steps to prevent re-infestation:

• Continue sealing up structure gaps and holes.
• Install rodent-proof screens and vents. 
• Use deodorizers to eliminate rat odors.
• Clean and sanitize rat-infested areas thoroughly to remove feces and disease risks.

Controlling rats takes patience and persistence. For severe cases, contact a professional pest control company. With diligence, you can make your home rat-free.

Conclusion

Bats and rats entering homes can create frustrating and hazardous situations for homeowners. However, through humane bat removal and rat removal techniques, these pests can be safely expelled and excluded from properties. Sealing up all possible access points after removal is critical to prevent bats and rats from re-entering and re-establishing nests. By taking early action when spotting the first signs of infestation and utilizing proper control tactics, homeowners can successfully eliminate bat and rat issues and maintain pest-free living spaces. With patience and persistence, bat removal and rat removal can be achieved for good.