When we think about the calm of homeownership in St. Paul, the last thing we usually imagine is dealing with bats finding entry points into our living spaces. These small creatures, capable of squeezing through holes no larger than a dime, often leave homeowners wondering how bats enter homes at all. Understanding this mystery is the first step toward prevention and ensuring peace of mind. 

Below, we’ll explore how these incidents happen and provide actionable steps you can take to prevent bats in the house moving forward.

How Bats Enter Homes

One of the most common ways bats find their way inside is through gaps or small openings in a home’s exterior. Homes, especially older ones in cities like St. Paul, naturally develop tiny crevices over time due to settling, wear and tear from weather, or just the natural aging of materials. Bats are especially skilled at identifying and exploiting these weak points, and since they only need a space about 6 millimeters wide to squeeze through, the list of potential entry points is long.

Common spots they might access include:

• Gaps between fascia boards and rooflines
• Unsealed attic vents
• Chimneys lacking proper caps
• Cracks or holes in siding
• Loose or damaged soffits
• Spaces around utility lines entering the home

At Skedaddle, we often inspect these areas to identify how bats enter homes. For a St. Paul staple like the Landmark Center, meticulous construction helps prevent such issues, but for residential homeowners, vigilance is key. 

Once inside, bats are drawn to dark, warm spaces such as attics or wall voids. These areas mimic the sheltered environments of caves where they naturally roost. Unfortunately, if bats settle in, they may travel deeper into your home, usually through spaces around plumbing or air vents, which eventually lead into your living areas.

Bats Finding Entry Points

Bats don’t just stumble upon your home by accident. They deliberately seek out roosting locations, especially during specific seasons. For example:

Mating and Raising Young  

Pregnant bats often look for safe spaces to have and raise their pups, generally between May and late summer. Attics provide warmth, safety, and protection from predators, making them ideal nurseries.

Escaping Weather Extremes  

During colder months, bats search for hibernation spots. Insulated spaces like attics or wall cavities offer the consistent temperatures they need to survive the Minnesota winters.

Feeding Patterns  

We often find that bats are drawn to homes near bright porch lights, as these lights attract insects—their primary food source. Installing backyard or porch lights with strategically dimmed settings can help deter this initial attraction.

Bats are also creatures of habit, often returning to the same roosting spots year after year if there’s nothing to block their access. That’s why simply shooing a bat out isn’t an end-all solution—you need to address the root of the issue by identifying and sealing all their entry points.

Prevent Bats in the House

Once you understand how bats tend to enter homes, prevention becomes much more straightforward. A proactive approach is always better than dealing with a full-fledged bat colony. Below are preventive measures we recommend to St. Paul homeowners:

• Inspect and Seal Gaps: Conduct regular inspections of your home’s exterior, paying close attention to the roofline, siding, chimneys, and utility lines. Seal all potential entry points with durable, weather-resistant materials. Remember, bats can squeeze through spaces as small as 6 millimeters, so even seemingly minor gaps should be addressed.
• Install Chimney Caps: A properly fitted chimney cap is an excellent investment to stop bats and other wildlife from using your chimney as a gateway into your home.
• Maintain Roof Condition: Loose shingles or sections of roofing are common bat entry points. Regular roof inspections and maintenance can go a long way in keeping bats out.
• Use Mesh Covers: Place mesh covers over attic vents and other openings to prevent bats from squeezing through while still allowing airflow.
• Reduce Attractants Close to the Home: Turn off outdoor lights when not in use or replace them with yellow “bug” lights, which attract fewer insects and by extension, fewer bats.

Taking these steps significantly reduces the risk of bats gaining access to your home, saving time and potential costs in the future.

Practical Steps if A Bat Enters Your Living Space

Finding a bat flying around your home can be alarming, but it’s important to remain calm. Most of the time, a bat in your living area is simply lost and looking for a way out. Here’s what to do in the moment:

• Isolate the Bat  

Close the doors to other rooms and open a window or exterior door in the room where the bat is located. Turn off any lights—it’ll naturally gravitate toward the open window or door to escape.

• Do Not Handle It With Bare Hands  

Use gloves or a towel if you feel confident safely guiding it outside. Bats can carry rabies, so always use caution.

• Call Professionals  

If the bat doesn’t leave on its own or you suspect a larger colony in your home, it’s time to call wildlife control experts like us at Skedaddle. We’re trained to safely and humanely assess and address bat-related issues—and our approach ensures a lasting solution.

Why St. Paul Residents Should Take Action Quickly

Having a bat or colony inside your home isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a health and safety risk. Bat droppings, known as guano, can accumulate over time in attics and walls, damaging insulation and posing health concerns if it disturbs indoor air quality. Guano can carry harmful fungal spores that lead to histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection.

Additionally, while rare, bats are known carriers of rabies. Any contact with a bat—especially through scratches or bites—should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

By addressing the issue quickly, you can prevent further risks and damages while ensuring your home remains comfortable and safe. Many St. Paul residents have benefited from scheduling regular inspections with wildlife control professionals.

Trust Skedaddle’s Humane Bat Removal Services in St. Paul

At Skedaddle, we specialize in professional, humane bat removal services designed to protect both your home and the local bat population. 

• Conduct a thorough inspection to assess the issue and identify entry points.  
• Use advanced techniques to safely and ethically remove bats without harm.  
• Ensure compliance with local wildlife regulations during removal.  
• Seal entry points to secure your property and prevent future infestations.

Our experienced team also cleans and decontaminates affected areas, restoring your home to a safe and healthy environment. Trust Skedaddle for reliable, wildlife-friendly solutions tailored to your needs.

Call Skedaddle Today for Peace of Mind

If you’ve noticed signs of bat activity in your home—unusual scratching sounds at dusk, bat droppings in your attic, or even a sighting in your living space—take steps to resolve the problem now. At Skedaddle, we specialize in humane, effective exclusion techniques that protect both your home and local wildlife. Our team knows what makes homes in St. Paul unique and uses proven methods customized for our Minnesota climate and architecture.

Don’t wait until the issue worsens—contact us today to schedule an inspection. Together, we’ll ensure your home stays bat-free!