RATS! I have bats!!

[Candace]

This morning I noticed a couple dozen bats entering the barn loft. I don't mind having them around since I know they are helpful with keeping the insect population down. I am more concerned that they establish some kind of mega-colony. Does anyone have experience with this? I don't know if there is a way to discourage them from roosting there or are we stuck with these little guys? I mean, seriously, how do you seal up a barn? This is a big ol' late 1800's, early1900's model. Thanks.

[deaconjim]

Your best bet is to work at night when the bats are out. I don't know how your barn is constructed, but screen wire is pretty effective if you keep it tight against the surface of the walls. Obviously, large door openings are more of a problem, but you might have to at least temporarily close those off with tarps of something similar. Before you make any attempt to seal them out however, it might be helpful to put up some bat houses nearby to give them another option once they aren't able to get into your barn.

[Use Less]

Yes, try bat houses. Please never, never kill bats! They are a force of nature. Some species are very, very sick, with huge populations here in the NE decimated over the last 5-10 years. Sue

[Alice In TX/MO]

You don't seal up a barn, and you don't bother the beneficial bats.

[Candace]

Oh my! I have no intention of harming them. I don't think it sounded like that that was my intention. Anyway, I don't mind them being there. I am more concerned that they decide to colonize big-time in the barn. Yes, bats are beneficial but their droppings can also be a hazard. Our barn is HUGE with a very high lofted post & beam barn. The eves are vented so sealing it off with screening sounds like a good idea but it won't/can't all get done very quickly. I like the idea of offering bat houses and I think the way they get ready to roost by circling in a group is a beautiful sight. Plus, anything that eats mosquitos is a friend of mine!! Even if I did want to try to eradicate them, Indiana's brown bats are protected little guys. Looks like this is a summer project and we'll have to try and work on the barn after they've migrated.

[Belfrybat]

I wish I had your "problem". I've done everything I can to encourage bats to take up residence in my two bat houses, but no luck. I know the droppings can be a problem, but it is also great manure. Bats usually roost very close together, so if you can find their roosting area, perhaps you can put down straw or sawdust under it to collect the bat guano. I don't know the rate of bat growth, but I imagine it will take quite some time for the colony to grow large. In the meantime, if I were you, I'd set up bat houses for next year and partially screen their main access to the barn.

[salmonslayer]

We have bats in our dairy barn and we encourage them. They seem to self regulate and we dont get big colonies here; I would say we have 5 or 6 at any one time and we enjoy watching them snap up the bugs at night under the Sodium Vapor light.

[RedDirt Cowgirl]

They will probably limit themselves to one spot - your barn would have higher populations in the past than you're likely to have these days. The droppings will be mostly insect skeleton parts, not the goopy quano you hear about. Bird droppings are much worse, healthwise.

Here's the best source for proper bat houses (free designs too) and information: http://www.batcon.org

[stamphappy]

we have a gentleman that sells bat houses on Craigslist; you might want to check your area if you're not wood-construction savy.

I envy you on the bats. I was just telling my DH that we need some bat houses.

[Danaus29]

There's only certain spots they find suitable enough to roost and raise their young in. They don't like open exposed spaces like the underside of the roof. There's probably been bats in that barn since shortly after it was built. You've just now noticed them.

[Candace]

Thanks all for the comments and advice. While I am fairly confident that I would have noticed bats before this year, I could very well be wrong. I see some bat house making in the near future and some research as to where to best place them. I'd probably be less apprehensive with a nice little group of 6, or so, but for now, it looks like our "family" has grown by a few dozen. :0)

Originally Posted by Candace

Thanks all for the comments and advice. While I am fairly confident that I would have noticed bats before this year, I could very well be wrong. I see some bat house making in the near future and some research as to where to best place them. I'd probably be less apprehensive with a nice little group of 6, or so, but for now, it looks like our "family" has grown by a few dozen. :0)

Bat babies are flyers by the end of August..so you'll have to wait until then to estimate how many bats are in your belfry ..

[7thswan]

Open up your barn as much as you can they like dark enclosed areas.. We have bats ocasionaly in the house,not sure how they get in.

[Aseries]

My suggestion is build them there own house, and let them stay the poop is amazing fertilizer and they eat tons in bugs. Relocate them to a permenant home, they need tight spaces normally you build the houses with spaces very tight and long so they can get up in them, about 1 to 2 inches apart they fly in from the bottom. Look online replicate one and just build a super size one. I wish I had bats I'd welcome them with open wings lol

[po boy]

Go here and learn: http://bathouseforum.org/forum/

Very beneficial...................... Build bat houses

[tinknal]

Bat guano sells for $5. per pound.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CFMQ8wIwAQ

[Candace]

[QUOTE=tinknal;5268905]Bat guano sells for $5. per pound./QUOTE]

Hmmm, $5 a pound?!!? Here little bat!!!

Seriously, such good advice and lots of information. We plan to do as mentioned by several folks to offer an alternative home with bat houses once we research to find the best location. As long as we don't become bat central, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.