Bats may play a crucial role in our ecosystem, but when they decide to take up residence in your Coquitlam home, they can become quite a nuisance. Whether it’s the screech of their nocturnal chirping or the accumulation of their droppings, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to seek services for bat colony removal from your property. However, before you take any action, it’s important to ensure that you do so at the right time to minimize any harm to the bats and maximize your chances of success.
In this blog article, our Skedaddle experts explore everything you need to know about bat removal in Coquitlam, from identifying the signs of an infestation to implementing effective removal strategies. So, whether you’re a concerned homeowner or a pest control professional, read on to discover how to get rid of bats safely and efficiently.
Understanding Bat Behaviour: Key to Successful Colony Removal
One thing to keep in mind is that bats are protected species in many regions, including Coquitlam. Besides their essential role in the ecosystem, such as pollination and insect control, legal protections can also pose restrictions on when and how you can remove them. Therefore, being informed about their behaviour and ecological significance is extremely important.
Bats are generally sociable animals and prefer to live in colonies. Most often, these colonies are found in dark, quiet, and safe places. This is why attics, sheds, chimneys, and crevices in buildings often become their homes.
Key Elements of Bat Behaviour
- Nocturnal: Bats are active at night, and this is when they leave their roosts to hunt insects. Encountering one during the day is rather unusual and might indicate a problem.
- Maternity Colonies: Females form maternity colonies in late spring and stay there until late summer. During this time, it is not recommended to perform any removal or exclusion activities, as infants could be left without their mothers.
- Hibernation: As temperatures decrease during autumn and winter, bats go into hibernation. In these periods, they can be safely relocated as they are less likely to return to the same roosts.
In understanding these behaviours, we can better plan removal efforts to be both effective and humane. Remember, our goal at Skedaddle is not just removing the animals, but doing so in a way that ensures their survival, respects their ecological role, and safeguards your home against future infestation problems.
Why Timing is Crucial in Bat Colony Removal
The timing of bat colony removal is not only a matter of ethical responsibility and legal regulation but it is also driven by practical considerations tied to their behaviour. Proper timing can significantly reduce the chances of re-infestation, support populations, and also ensure the effectiveness of your removal efforts.
Let’s consider some of the reasons why timing is so vital:
- Maternity Season Restriction: Between late spring and late summer, females form maternity colonies. During this period, removal efforts can pose a risk to young bats who are not yet able to fly and survive on their own. Hence, removal efforts should generally avoid this critical breeding period.
- Hibernation Effectiveness: Removal during fall and winter, when many bats are in hibernation, can be very effective. This is because those in hibernation are less likely to resist removal efforts and less likely to return to the same roosting site once they awake in the spring.
- Natural Relocation: There are times in the year when bats naturally relocate, such as during the spring and fall when they’re searching for a new roost or going into hibernation. These transitions provide optimal opportunities for bat proofing your property and preventing a future re-infestation.
How to Safely and Humanely Remove a Bat Colony
When it comes to removing a colony, safety and humanity should always be at the forefront of any removal process. Our wildlife control experts at Skedaddle adhere to industry best practices that prioritize the well-being of the animals and the sanitization of the area they inhabit.
Initial Assessment
Before rushing into a removal operation, a comprehensive assessment is crucial. We assess the scale and species of the colony, the location and accessibility of the roost, and identify any potential risks associated with removing the animals. This assessment informs the strategic planning of the removal process.
Professional Removal Process
Each removal process is tailored to the unique conditions of the colony. Below, we outline the typical steps involved in our humane removal process:
- Secure the Area: We ensure that the area is secure and minimize any potential hazards prior to initiating the removal process.
- Deterrence: We deploy non-lethal deterrence techniques that encourage the colony to vacate the location voluntarily.
- Passive Exclusion: If deterrence techniques are not effective, we use a technique known as ‘passive exclusion.’ This technique allows bats to leave their roost naturally at night but prevents their re-entry.
- Cleanup and Preventive Measures: Once the colony has been successfully removed, we thoroughly clean the area to remove any droppings or remnants. We then implement preventive measures to ensure bats do not return to the area.
Post-Removal Support
Our service doesn’t end with the removal of the colony. We provide post-removal support, offering advice on keeping your property bat-free and tackling any concerns you may have post-removal. We are dedicated to not only removing the colony but ensuring it doesn’t happen again.
At Skedaddle, we commit to getting rid of your issues while conserving our wildlife. We believe in the humanitarian treatment of bats, ensuring they can thrive in their natural habitats, and keeping your property safe from unwanted visitors.
Call Skedaddle for Professional Bat Removal in Coquitlam
If you’re dealing with an infestation, don’t hesitate to reach out to our professionally trained team at Skedaddle. We understand the unique challenges that bat control presents and have spent decades refining techniques that are both effective and respectful of our local wildlife. We recognize the ecological value bats bring to our environment, and we’re committed to helping them thrive in suitable habitats outside of your living spaces.
What Sets Skedaddle Apart
- Versatility: Our team is equipped to handle colonies of various sizes, from small groups to large colonies in residential, commercial, or industrial settings.
- Humane Methods: We employ unique, innovative methods for removal that are both humane and effective, ensuring the bats are safely excluded with minimal stress.
- Prevention: We don’t just remove the bats— we ensure they don’t come back. After taking care of the colony, our experts will bat-proof your building to prevent them from re-entering.
- Experienced Staff: Our Skedaddle team includes trained wildlife control experts who are knowledgeable in the latest removal techniques and safety procedures.
Remember, attempting to remove a bat colony by yourself can be dangerous and might lead to unnecessary harm to bats or even you. Always seek the help of professionals to ensure a safe, effective, and humane removal.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Don’t let bats leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. At the first sight of an issue, contact Skedaddle. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve made the right choice in handling your bat problem. We are proud to serve the Coquitlam area with expert bat removal services, designed to promote the coexistence of humans and wildlife safely.
Ready to schedule your consultation? Contact us today and let Skedaddle humanely remove the bat colony from your property. Together, we can find a solution that respects both your comfort and the local wildlife.