Five Steps to Catching a Bat in the House

If a bat finds its way into your home, it is important to know what to do. Removing a bat on your own can be risky, so be sure to use extreme precaution if you insist on getting rid of a bat without the help of a professional. Continue reading to learn the fastest and safest way to catch and remove a bat in your house without harming it or causing any damage to your home or family.

Step One: Take Precautionary Measures

Before you start attempting to capture a bat in your home, first be sure you are protected. Put on a pair of sturdy, thick gloves to protect your hands from potential bites and scratches. Also, open all the doors and windows in the rooms the bat is occupying to give it a clear exit. Sometimes, a bat will sense the fresh air and migrate toward it on its own. The easiest way to get rid of a flying bat in your house is to let it fly out on its own. When this doesn’t seem to work, continue on to the next step.

Step Two: Allow the Bat to Land

When you have a bat flying rapidly through your living room, you instinctively want to swat at it mid-flight or capture it in the air. This is a normal reaction, but not the most effective one to follow. Bats are agile flyers, and they can remain in flight for a long time. If you continue to aggravate or alarm the bat, it will continue to fly around. It can knock over valuables, fly through your hair, scratch up walls, and more. It is best to not overwhelm or aggravate a wild bat in your home. It can make the process much more difficult. It is almost impossible to catch a panicked bat in the air. Simply take a break, stay out of the bat’s way, and allow it to land somewhere in order to take the next step. You can also use a coffee can or other container to gently coax the bat down from high places.

Step Three: Safely Restrict Their Flight

Wait for the bat to land low, if possible. This will give you an advantage and more control. When the bat does land, use a medium bath or kitchen towel and toss it on top of the bat. This will immediately restrict its flying capabilities and can even force it to remain still. Try locating a heavier towel with thick fibers. This will ensure even more protection for you and the bat. You never want to kill or harm a bat. They are highly beneficial to our ecosystem and surrounding environment. Always try to use safe and humane practices when handling a bat.

Step Four: Scoop Up the Bat

Once the towel in on top of the bat, it will not be able to take off again. Scoop the towel in your hands and wrap the bat up. Use a minimal degree of force so that you do not hurt the bat in any way. You may hear clicking sounds coming from the bat; this just means they are frightened. Once you have the bat scooped and wrapped in your towel, you can continue to the last step.

Step Five: Release the Bat

After a long process, the bat could be tired and scared, so try to place it next to a tree that it can climb. It is easier for a bat to take flight from a tree than the ground. If there are no trees around, simply release the bat far from your property, away from other residential areas. Ideally, the bat will immediately fly away as soon as you let it outside. Remove the towel from the bat and allow it to hop on the ground. It should take flight soon after.

If you would like professional advice on how to catch a bat in the house in Indianapolis, IN, call our bat removal experts at 317-535-4605 today. We are DNR licensed and insured bat control and bat exclusion professionals with decades of experience working with bats. We are happy to offer free estimates, advice, and general information on bat control any time. Visit our website at http://www.batremovalindianapolis.com for information about our company and bat removal and control services we offer in Indianapolis, IN.