Bats are some of the most frustrating nuisance wildlife that homeowners have to deal with in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area. What’s especially annoying about bats is that these flying mammals love to roost in our attics, which makes removing them very difficult. You may be left wondering why bats are so determined to go into our attics in the first place; there are a few reasons.
Bats are nocturnal animals that shy away from daylight. Because of this, they like to live in dark places such as caves and tree hollows. Unfortunately for us, our attics present exactly the sort of environment that bats like. Attic spaces are dark, warm, and sheltered from the elements. All of these qualities make attics ideal for bats to raise their pups in. It helps that we rarely ever go up into our attics, allowing bats to roost here undisturbed. Plus, the mosquitoes and other flying insects that bats love to eat often congregate in neighborhood yards, meaning that by roosting in our attics, bats can live in close proximity to their favored prey.
In addition to being a source of shelter from bad weather, attics also protect bats from predators. Owls are the most common bat predators, but raccoons and cats are also known to prey upon bats, especially when they are resting. Our attics keep bats safe from all of these predators, often more effectively than the trees and caves they’re used to.
If you’ve discovered that bats are living in your attic, connect with Southern Wildlife & Land Management today to request bat removal and prevention services in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area!
NCSU Alumni