Balancing Act: Safely Removing Bats From North Dakota Homes

If you’ve ever found bats in your home, your first instinct might be to pick up the phone and call pest control. However, in North Dakota, it’s not that simple.

Bats are a protected species under federal and state law, meaning removing them is not as straightforward as getting rid of other household pests. This is especially crucial during the fall, as bats prepare for hibernation.

Bats play an essential role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests. In North Dakota, several bat species, such as the little brown bat and the northern long eared bat, are federally protected, making it illegal to kill or harm them.

To complicate matters further, bats tend to roost in attics and chimneys, areas that mimic their natural habitats. Removing them requires not only adherence to the law but also ethical and humane practices.

Ethical and Safe Ways to Remove Bats Before Winter

Here are several humane methods for getting bats out of your home before they hibernate:

1. Exclusion Devices: These are one-way exits that allow bats to leave your home but prevent them from re-entering. You can install exclusion tubes or nets at entry points. This method works best before mid-August, after young bats are old enough to fly but before hibernation begins.
2. Sealing Entry Points: Once the bats have left, you can seal up potential entry points like vents, chimneys, and gaps in the roof. Make sure to inspect your home for small openings, as bats can squeeze through cracks as small as 3/8 of an inch.
3. Professional Wildlife Control: Some companies specialize in bat removal and are trained to comply with state and federal laws. They can perform a thorough inspection of your home and install exclusion devices properly.
4. Bat Houses: Consider installing bat houses outside your home. These structures provide bats with an alternative roosting spot and help deter them from seeking shelter indoors.

Attempting to remove bats in the winter can be harmful since they may be in hibernation, and disturbing them could lead to their death. By taking action in the late summer or early fall, you can ensure both your home and the bats are safe and protected.

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If you’re unsure of the best course of action, contacting a bat conservation group or a certified wildlife specialist is always recommended.