Bats are a common presence in North Carolina and play a beneficial role in our ecosystem by controlling populations of flying insects like mosquitoes. However, bats can become a nuisance if they find a way into your attic and begin roosting inside, where they can cause extensive damage with their guano. If you’re a homeowner in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill or any nearby city, follow these tips to keep bats out of your attic:
- Seal any holes in your siding or roof. Bats can squeeze through a hole smaller than half an inch wide, making it easy for them to invade attics in the greater Raleigh-Durham area. If you’ve noticed bat activity in your neighborhood, inspect your home exterior for possible entry points. Sealing up any holes you find will keep bats out; unlike rodents, bats aren’t able to gnaw their way in and must rely on pre-existing holes for entry.
- Install a mesh cover over exterior vents such as dryer vents. Bats often use these openings to gain entry to homes in the Research Triangle area. Traditional flapper vent covers are only partially effective in keeping bats out of your attic, since bats can still enter them if the flappers are open or damaged. Properly installed mesh covers are fully bat-proof.
- Hire a wildlife control company in the Raleigh-Durham area to bat-proof your home. Trained and certified wildlife control technicians will be able to identify any vulnerabilities in your home’s exterior and use appropriate preventative measures to keep bats out of your attic. They’ll also be able to safely remove any bats that have already found their way inside your attic.
NCSU Alumni