Bats

Managing bats in a landscape involves creating an environment that supports their presence while minimizing potential conflicts with humans. By implementing these strategies, you can create a bat-friendly landscape that supports their ecological role while reducing potential conflicts.

Signs of Bats

Droppings are the most common sign that bats are present. Droppings are 1/8 - 1/4in long, black, and dotted with speckles. Bats can enter through openings as small as 3/8in. The presence of smudges and rub marks near eaves, vents, chimneys, cracks, and other openings is also an indicator.

Provide Roosting Sites

• Bat Houses: Install bat houses to provide roosting spaces. Place them in sunny locations (6-12 hours of sunlight) and at least 12-15 feet off the ground.
• Preserve Natural Roosts: If you have old trees, leave them standing if they don’t pose a safety hazard. Bats often roost in tree cavities, under bark, or in dead trees (snags).

Minimize Human-Bat Conflicts

• Exclusion Techniques: If bats are roosting in unwanted areas like attics, use exclusion methods to humanely remove them. Install one-way doors that allow bats to leave but not return.
• Seal Entry Points: Seal any potential entry points into homes or buildings after ensuring no bats are inside. This should be done in late summer or early spring when bats are not rearing young.
• Night Lighting: Reduce outdoor lighting, as bright lights can disrupt bat activity. Use red or amber lights, which are less disruptive to nocturnal wildlife.

Create a Bat-Friendly Landscape

• Native Plantings: Plant native species that attract insects. Night-blooming flowers can be particularly effective.
• Tree Management: Maintain a mix of tree species, including those that can develop cavities, to provide natural roosting sites.
• Avoid Harmful Chemicals: Pesticides and herbicides can harm bats by reducing their food supply or contaminating their environment.

Monitor and Protect Bats

• Surveys and Monitoring: Regularly monitor bat activity in your landscape to understand their patterns and needs.
• Education and Awareness: Educate neighbors and the community about the benefits of bats and the importance of their conservation.

Handling Bats Safely

• Avoid Direct Contact: Never handle bats with bare hands, as they can carry diseases like rabies. If a bat needs to be moved, use gloves or contact a local wildlife professional.
• Encourage Responsible Behavior: Teach children and others not to disturb bats, especially during roosting or hibernation periods.