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Vinca

(50,168 posts)
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 06:24 AM Aug 2018

Is this an omen of how the week is going to go?

Woke up early and headed to the small bath off the kitchen. As I'm about to sit down, whoooooooosh. In flies a bat. So it's me and the bat in a tiny room with a puzzled cat sitting in the doorway. Instinctively, I ran out the door, closing it behind me. As my blood pressure began to drop I could hear fluttering back and forth. What to do, what to do. I went to get my husband, but he was still asleep so I let him be. Back to the half bath. After arming myself with a fly swatter, I entered with the plan of opening the screen so it could fly out. I entered quickly, closing the door behind me and saw my creepy little friend was sitting in the sink. I carefully held him down with the fly swatter and tried to get the screen off with one hand. No luck. Then I spotted the hand towel. In one quick move I threw the towel over the bat and removed the fly swatter. I gently balled him up in the towel and threw him out the back door. It took him about 2 seconds to crawl out and fly away. Now to figure out how he got in to begin with.

47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Is this an omen of how the week is going to go? (Original Post) Vinca Aug 2018 OP
It will definitely get better the week TEB Aug 2018 #1
Do You Have A Stove Vent? JimGinPA Aug 2018 #2
Our house was built in the late 1700's so we've got nooks and crannies everywhere. Vinca Aug 2018 #4
Well,... that is the deciding factor,.. there is no escaping it,... magicarpet Aug 2018 #15
I plan to buy a lottery ticket. If I win I'll build a bat-proof house. Vinca Aug 2018 #21
OMG, I'd be terrified janterry Aug 2018 #3
He's usually the bat remover, but I didn't have the heart to wake him up. Vinca Aug 2018 #5
When there's something strange on the bathroom sink.......who ya gonna call? leftofcool Aug 2018 #6
This is event #1. By #3 a pattern for your week should emerge. Hortensis Aug 2018 #7
I hope the pattern involves watching Junior enter a court house to enter a plea. Vinca Aug 2018 #11
Oh, bring that on! :) Hortensis Aug 2018 #13
In the old farmhouse we used to live in... N_E_1 for Tennis Aug 2018 #8
Thanks for the info. I don't think we have a big problem, but it's disconcerting when the odd Vinca Aug 2018 #9
This might be helpful... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2018 #10
I don't think the center chimney has a screen and there are 3 flues on it. Vinca Aug 2018 #12
Suggestion: Be careful if you place screen over a chimney. KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2018 #14
Good advice. Thanks. Vinca Aug 2018 #19
Just think how HIS/HER week began. Ferrets are Cool Aug 2018 #16
They're important little creatures. I'd just like them to be important outdoors. LOL. Vinca Aug 2018 #20
Our Eastern Seaboard bats are our best insecticide. Duppers Aug 2018 #17
Guess I should have given him the spa treatment before I ejected him. Cute video. Vinca Aug 2018 #22
Had a bat in the basement DeminPennswoods Aug 2018 #18
If you can, go into your attic on a bright day... LuckyCharms Aug 2018 #23
Bats used to fly into my house when I was a kid Le Gaucher Aug 2018 #24
Jan and Dean explain everything Kaleva Aug 2018 #25
I don't think I could recover from something like that ecstatic Aug 2018 #26
I'm with you lillypaddle Aug 2018 #30
On the other hand, in Asian cultures a bat Zoonart Aug 2018 #27
Sorry to say with catch an release there is a good chance he will be back. gordianot Aug 2018 #28
Bet that got your blood going lillypaddle Aug 2018 #29
Damn malaise Aug 2018 #31
It took me a few minutes to regroup after I shut him in the bathroom. Vinca Aug 2018 #44
Many years ago I found a bat in my toilet PatSeg Aug 2018 #32
Twice I battled with bats. Alwaysna Aug 2018 #33
Thank you for not hurting the little bat! BlancheSplanchnik Aug 2018 #34
Nah! Bats are cool. We went to BatCon.org and purchased a 100 bat home to control bugs at farm. TheBlackAdder Aug 2018 #35
Do you think if I bought a bat house they'd stay out of the human's house??? Vinca Aug 2018 #43
The risk is slight, just don't mount on a tree or against the house. Use a pole mount in the open. TheBlackAdder Aug 2018 #46
Thanks. I hadn't thought about guano, but my garden would love it. Vinca Aug 2018 #47
I lived in a house on lake Winnipesaukee in NH LittleGirl Aug 2018 #36
I wish the squirrels that occasionally get in my attic would consider suicide. LOL. Vinca Aug 2018 #42
No kidding! LOL eom LittleGirl Aug 2018 #45
Plug the holes Richluu Aug 2018 #37
Obviously it was Guliani doing his rounds, just wait for sun up. n/t Brogrizzly Aug 2018 #38
ROFL - my favorite response! Vinca Aug 2018 #41
I always thought if a bat was down, it could not secondwind Aug 2018 #39
My wife is terrified of bats -- and mice -- but especially bats. rsdsharp Aug 2018 #40

Vinca

(50,168 posts)
4. Our house was built in the late 1700's so we've got nooks and crannies everywhere.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 06:35 AM
Aug 2018

Earlier in the summer I discovered an opening in one of the unused chimneys where the little fireplace was blocked off. I'll have to check that again. I stuffed it with insulation, but maybe the bat opened it up. This is the third bat encounter of the summer. We didn't see them around for a few years, but they seem to be back, healthy and ready to drive me nuts again.

magicarpet

(13,935 posts)
15. Well,... that is the deciding factor,.. there is no escaping it,...
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:26 AM
Aug 2018

That episode officially makes you,...

BAT - (in the house)
POOP - (in the bathroom after all)
CRAZY - (.... "and ready to drive me nuts again...." - you said it yourself.)

Is the cat now avoiding you ?

Your day can not help but to improve in a very significant way !


 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
3. OMG, I'd be terrified
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 06:32 AM
Aug 2018

I've had them fly at me, before - when we were out walking at dusk. One cruised right by my hair! Thank heavens we've never had one in the house. I have a dog and a cat and between the two of them, they'd rip the house apart.

FWIW, I think it's your husbands turn- he needs to find out how they got in

Vinca

(50,168 posts)
5. He's usually the bat remover, but I didn't have the heart to wake him up.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 06:39 AM
Aug 2018

I took the chance to look at the thing while I had him pinned down and I think it's more the shock of their speed and sudden appearance that is what's frightening. Maybe I conquered a fear this morning.

N_E_1 for Tennis

(9,593 posts)
8. In the old farmhouse we used to live in...
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 06:56 AM
Aug 2018

we had a bat problem, the attic got infested once. When the exterminator explained about bats and how they live it was kinda eye opening. Gosh that guy talked way to much about bats. It was a little creepy the way he reveled in their lives.
Anyway as far as getting in...he showed me the hole they came in and out of, it was about the size of a half dollar coin, little smaller. How he knew that was the hole... the bottom of the hole was darker than the rest... this is where the body oils of the bat rubbed off after all the in and out.
He had us do a “bat watch” for a couple evenings, a little before the sun went down. He said to try to count the number of bats coming out if we could. He said for every one bat we saw there was maybe 5 to 10 more.
He finally got rid of them all. It was a creepy time. My wife had to go to her parents house for a couple nights.
Hope you don’t have that big of a problem.

So look for small holes that may have the dark spot as described above.

Vinca

(50,168 posts)
9. Thanks for the info. I don't think we have a big problem, but it's disconcerting when the odd
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:07 AM
Aug 2018

bat makes his way in. I'll have to do a check of all flues and cracks and crevices. Good info about the discoloration at the spot they get in. They seem to be able to squeeze through the smallest openings.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
10. This might be helpful...
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:08 AM
Aug 2018

Here's some info from a critter control company and the info seems credible....

See: https://www.crittercontrol.com/services/bats/bats-in-chimneys

Bats Near the Home

Bats live in both cities and wooded areas, eating half of their weight in insects every night. When looking for places to roost, they choose protected spots like sheds, attics, and smokestacks. At times, bats in chimneys cause problems due to their breeding habits and potential for disease.

Prevention

To deter bats from roosting in the chimney, a variety of methods can be helpful:
Exclusion tubes - This device is a one-way exit, allowing bats in the chimney to leave but not to return.
Mesh screens - Placing wire mesh over a chimney keeps bats out, though it is important to avoid trapping any animals inside.
Chimney caps - Similar to a mesh screen, a cap stops pest wildlife from entering.
Bat boxes - Installing this alternative home encourages bats in chimneys to move out on their own.

Setting up some of these devices requires special knowledge and equipment. Accessing the chimney also means getting onto the roof, which can be dangerous for homeowners.


Also, see: https://www.crittercontrol.com/services/bats/bats-in-homes

How Do Bats Get Into Attics and Basements?

Bats are small and it is not difficult for them to sneak into even the tiniest crevasses in your home which leads to bats in basement or bats in attics. It is also common for bats to enter through unscreened fireplaces or open windows. If you hear unpleasant noises around your house at night, you may have a bat problem or bats in the attic.


Good luck........

Vinca

(50,168 posts)
12. I don't think the center chimney has a screen and there are 3 flues on it.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:12 AM
Aug 2018

That would be a good place to start. Good timing, too, since we're about to be replacing roof shingles near the chimney. Maybe the sudden increase in bats is why our mosquito population has decreased significantly despite the wet weather. Good things come in small packages??

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
14. Suggestion: Be careful if you place screen over a chimney.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:24 AM
Aug 2018

If the wire is too fine, you can get a creosote buildup which can cause a fire and/or choke off the chimney's draft. Very coarse screen wire should work to keep bats and birds out.

Yes, bats are like bees - all a part of nature's wonderful design and process........

Duppers

(28,094 posts)
17. Our Eastern Seaboard bats are our best insecticide.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:35 AM
Aug 2018

Here on the east coast we'd be overcome with mosquitoes were it not for our bats. I experience these critters, mammals by the way, almost every night on my midnight walks. I welcome their swishing by my head - better that than swatting some Nile-Virus carrying mosquito. Seriously.

What I'm asking, folks, is to please not fear these critters. They're an important part of our ecological system.

Here's a "terrifying" video of fruit eating bats...





DeminPennswoods

(15,246 posts)
18. Had a bat in the basement
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:45 AM
Aug 2018

I was cleaning the furnace filters and when I returned I saw this critter on the floor. It appeared dead so I touched it with a broom and it moved! Uh-oh. I went upstairs for a minute and when I returned to the basement the bad had moved and spread itself out so to look big, when it saw me, it lifted its little chin and hissed at me. I opened the cellar door and managed to get the bat on the end of a shovel. I put it in some mulch in a shady spot figuring it wasn't going to survive, but a little later on when I looked at spot where I'd put it, it was gone. I guess it revived and flew away.

I ended up calling the PA state game commission and an officer actually came over. He said if that happened again to put a box over the bat and call them. They'd take the bat a make sure it wasn't rabid. Then he walked around the house and looked for spots they might get in. He said bats can get in the tiniest spaces and they will "wing walk" using the little feet on their wings to climb up the bricks. He said his grandparents lived in a old farmhouse and he would sometimes watch the bats come in the cellar door. When I told my neighbor about the bat, he told me there were about 8 bats living in his chimney. He said sometimes he'd go out at dusk and watch them fly out. That was a mosquito-free year, on the plus side.

LuckyCharms

(17,286 posts)
23. If you can, go into your attic on a bright day...
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:53 AM
Aug 2018

While standing in the dark attic while the sun is out, look for any light coming in near any framing components. Especially, look at the joint where the roof rafters meet the soffit and fascia. If light is coming in any areas in your framing, bats may be able to get in there.

Check for raised shingles on your roof.

Go outside at dusk to see if you can see them exiting from anywhere.

Good luck.

 

Le Gaucher

(1,547 posts)
24. Bats used to fly into my house when I was a kid
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 07:55 AM
Aug 2018

My dad would run out shrieking .. My mum coolly would caputure it using a towel and release it.

ecstatic

(32,566 posts)
26. I don't think I could recover from something like that
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 08:04 AM
Aug 2018

As it stands, the problem I'm having is from enormous "water bugs" getting in my place somehow. I've seen 2 within the past 2 weeks. Each incident led to a 30+ minute battle with Windex as my weapon. Apparently they can enter through drains and vents, so I have most of my drains covered right now. The situation has me completely on edge. I feel uncomfortable in my own home. If I were to see a bat, I would not be able to handle the situation on my own. No way.

Zoonart

(11,747 posts)
27. On the other hand, in Asian cultures a bat
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 08:05 AM
Aug 2018

is a symbol of luck and good fortune. So... there's that.

gordianot

(15,226 posts)
28. Sorry to say with catch an release there is a good chance he will be back.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 08:06 AM
Aug 2018

I can still hear my Dad yelling about it 60 years ago. I used a butterfly net.

Vinca

(50,168 posts)
44. It took me a few minutes to regroup after I shut him in the bathroom.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 12:00 PM
Aug 2018

I'm just happy he was sitting in the sink and I didn't have to defend myself with the fly swatter. I didn't want to hurt it, but there is always the rabies concern. It did look like a healthy animal though and he took off into the air right after the balled up towel hit the lawn.

PatSeg

(46,776 posts)
32. Many years ago I found a bat in my toilet
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 08:51 AM
Aug 2018

We lived in a third floor apartment with a flat roof, so no eaves. It was winter time, there were no open windows and it was an older building so there was no fan in the bathroom. I never could figure out how it got in, other than through the plumbing. Very strange morning.

Alwaysna

(574 posts)
33. Twice I battled with bats.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 09:08 AM
Aug 2018

Sometimes they hide during the day in the folds of drapery. I used a fishing net to capture.

TheBlackAdder

(28,070 posts)
35. Nah! Bats are cool. We went to BatCon.org and purchased a 100 bat home to control bugs at farm.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 09:08 AM
Aug 2018

.


Bat Conservation International

http://www.batcon.org/


They very rarely have rabies. That's more of a fear mongering belief.

Like any small animal, they'll scare the wits out of you if they enter a confined area of a home, but you did good.

.

Vinca

(50,168 posts)
43. Do you think if I bought a bat house they'd stay out of the human's house???
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 11:57 AM
Aug 2018

I've thought of doing that before, but I was afraid it might attract more bats near the house and I'd end up with more coming in.

TheBlackAdder

(28,070 posts)
46. The risk is slight, just don't mount on a tree or against the house. Use a pole mount in the open.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 03:01 PM
Aug 2018

.


Tree mount allows squirrels and rats/mice to attract them, as well as tree-born pests.


Guano is guano, after all, and you don't want that dropping by the side of the house.


I sunk 2 posts into the ground with long schedule 40 PVC 4-inch pipe in between. One bolt acts as a pivot rod, another acts as a removable linchpin so when it's time to clean it, I pull the pin out and lower the pole down gradually.

.

LittleGirl

(8,261 posts)
36. I lived in a house on lake Winnipesaukee in NH
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 09:11 AM
Aug 2018

and a bat flew in from the fire place on New Year's Eve, 1999. I thought I saw it flying around the room that night but figured it was the champagne instead.

The next morning I saw it again. It was hanging upside down on one of the stones on the fireplace. I didn't touch it but my partner, at the time, got it and put it outside. We didn't want the cats to catch it.

Another time, a reddish squirrel ran across the roof of the garage and threw itself off over the head of my partner walking by and hit the ground so hard, it died instantly. My partner didn't know what to make of that. I saw it as a sign to get away from that guy and haven't seen him since 2000. I think it was two good signs that I needed to go.

Richluu

(79 posts)
37. Plug the holes
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 09:12 AM
Aug 2018

Last edited Tue Aug 28, 2018, 06:43 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm plugging bat holes in our church basement where the bats in the attic follow air currents through the walls to fly in the at night. Look for small round and long flat hard, black scat for evidence.

Look for:
. Gaps around pipes- fill with foam (Fire break foam near heat), plaster, or a pipe collar
. Seal around your range hood with foam
. Look for holes the size of a dime and fill with plaster (drywall mud)
. Cover plates on wall plugs
. Investigate ultrasonic noise generators to plug in around your house and attic
. Watch at sundown to see whet bats are exciting your house and make one-way exits for the holes (window screen socks); wait two weeks.
. Make sure bats evacuate your attic before you seal their entry holes and wait until September and the babies are grown.

It takes a while but persistence is successful! Good luck!

secondwind

(16,903 posts)
39. I always thought if a bat was down, it could not
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 09:44 AM
Aug 2018

get up and fly away. I’ve been hearing this since I was a little girl.

rsdsharp

(9,035 posts)
40. My wife is terrified of bats -- and mice -- but especially bats.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 11:16 AM
Aug 2018

We used to live in a house where they nested under the garage roof and would migrate down the wall it shared with the kitchen, and pop out in the basement.

One night I got up at about 3 AM and went to get a drink. As I headed back to bed, something hissed down by my right foot. Suddenly a 300 pound man found out he could levitate. I jumped up about 4 feet and backwards about 8. Through the gloom, and without my glasses, a saw a dark shape on the floor under a chair. I assumed it was a bat, and was likely rabid, as bats don't generally land on the floor in the dead of night.

I grabbed a towel out of the linen closet and threw it over the bat. Then I grabbed second one and stuffed it under the bedroom door. The next morning my friend was still there so I put on some heavy gloves, tucked the towel around him and took him out to the garbage can. That wasn't the most humane thing to do, I admit, but I wasn't going to mess with a bat I believed was rabid.

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