Bats are fascinating creatures that play an important role in ecosystems, especially here in London, Ontario. Whether they’re feasting on insects or raising their young, bats are highly active during certain times of the year. 

Understanding seasonal bat behaviour can help you recognize their patterns and how to address any unwelcome visits to your home. While bats are integral to nature, having them roost in your attic or walls can be a challenge—but that’s where we at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control come in with our humane removal methods, like one-way doors.

Understanding Seasonal Bat Behaviour

Bats’ behaviour changes significantly across the seasons due to their feeding, breeding, and roosting needs. Here’s a breakdown of how they behave throughout the year:

Spring

As the weather warms up in London, bats emerge from hibernation, often towards the end of March or early April. During this time, they are focused on one thing—food. Months of hibernation leave bats depleted, so they depend heavily on their main diet of insects, including mosquitoes, beetles, and moths. With the Thames River running through the city, ample bugs are drawn to wetland areas, making places like Greenway Park and Westminster Ponds attractive feeding grounds for bats.

Spring is also the season when bats seek out safe roosts, particularly females preparing to form maternity colonies. These colonies can sometimes form in warm, quiet human structures like attics across London neighbourhoods, from Masonville to Old South. While they may not harm you directly, the droppings they leave behind can lead to serious health risks for homeowners.

Summer

Summer is peak bat season. Females are nursing their pups, and entire colonies become very active in search of food every evening. Since flying insects are abundant in the warm months, London’s lush green spaces, such as Fanshawe Conservation Area or Harris Park, are bustling with bat activity. 

This season also sees younger bats practicing their flying skills, meaning you’ll notice even more movement at dusk and dawn. Unfortunately, attics and barns become particularly appealing as roosting spots. If you start hearing squeaking noises or notice droppings near entries to your home, it’s likely you have some bat visitors.

Fall

Come September, bats shift their focus towards mating and preparation for hibernation. You might spot them near structures as they look for secure places to overwinter. This is also the brief time when male bats are particularly active, seeking mates before hibernation begins. However, their choice of overwintering spots can often lead to conflicts with homeowners as attics and sheds in London neighbourhoods become prime targets.

Winter

During winter, most bat species native to Ontario, such as Little Brown Myotis, enter hibernation. They settle into caves, trees, or other sheltered spots undisturbed by cold temperatures. However, if they’ve roosted in your home, you might not even realize it during this season unless temperatures unexpectedly rise. Warm spells can wake bats from hibernation, causing them to seek water or food, which might bring them into unwanted contact with humans.

Why DIY Bat Removal Is Not Safe

When bats make their way into your home, it’s tempting to try and handle the problem yourself. However, DIY removal can be unsafe for you and the bats. Here’s why:

• Health Risks: Bat droppings, or guano, can carry harmful pathogens like histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by fungal spores. Additionally, direct contact with bats increases the risk of rabies, though the risk is low.
• Harming the Bats: Many bats in Ontario are designated as species at risk, meaning they are protected under law. Disturbing them without proper licenses is not only illegal but can harm their population. Since they’re vital for controlling insect populations, these protections help ensure ecological balance.
• Ineffectiveness: Without the right tools or techniques, it’s impossible to ensure that bats won’t return. DIY attempts often leave gaps or cracks unsealed, allowing bats to re-enter later.

When it comes to bats, safety and expertise are critical. That’s why professional removal is always the best choice. 

How Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Can Help

At Skedaddle Wildlife Control, we specialize in solving wildlife conflicts humanely and professionally. When it comes to bats, our approach ensures their safety while protecting your home. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Comprehensive Inspections 

Our team starts with a detailed inspection of your property. We assess potential entry points, like vents, chimneys, or gaps in roofing, to understand how bats gained access in the first place. Common areas in London where we’ve seen bats include older homes in Wortley Village or near Blackfriars Bridge, where aging construction provides numerous gaps bats can exploit.

2. Humane Removal 

We use one-way doors, which are an effective and humane solution. These doors allow bats to leave your home safely but prevent them from re-entering. Unlike methods that trap or harm bats, our process ensures their well-being.

3. Prevention Measures 

After removing the bats, we provide full sealing services to make your home bat-proof. We use durable materials and techniques to secure vulnerable areas, ensuring bats can’t find their way back inside.

4. Clean-Up and Decontamination 

Bat guano can leave behind bacteria, fungi, and unpleasant odours. Our team not only removes it but also sanitizes and deodorizes affected areas, helping restore your home to a safe and clean condition.

Where in London Are Bats Commonly Found?

London, Ontario, with its mix of natural green spaces and urban structures, provides an ideal habitat for bats. This means they’re commonly found across neighbourhoods and parks. Here are a few examples:

• Natural Areas: The wooded areas around Springbank Park and Komoka Provincial Park are home to numerous bat species. While these areas are great for watching bats in the wild, they also mean properties nearby may see more bats searching for roosts.
• Residential Areas: Older neighbourhoods, such as Woodfield and Old North, often experience bat issues due to the aging architecture. Attics, chimneys, and gaps in old masonry are all inviting spots for roosting.
• Waterfront Zones: Proximity to the Thames River means more flying insects, which attract bats. Areas like Byron and Riverbend can therefore experience higher bat activity.

Practical Steps to Avoid Bat Problems

Here are a few simple steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of bats choosing your home as their roost:

• Seal gaps and cracks in your walls, soffits, and roof.
• Install proper chimney caps.
• Repair loose shingles, siding, or vents.
• Maintain outdoor lighting to discourage flying insects, which attract bats.

However, even with these measures, bats may still find their way in. That’s when it’s time to call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for expert assistance.

Call the Experts at Skedaddle

Bats are vital to the ecosystem, and their presence is often a sign of a healthy environment. However, they don’t belong in your home. If you’re hearing squeaks or scratching sounds, or noticing evidence of droppings, don’t wait to act. Skedaddle Wildlife Control is here to help London homeowners with humane, effective bat removal.

We’re proud to offer solutions that prioritize your safety and peace of mind while protecting these essential creatures. With our humane one-way doors, thorough property inspections, and preventative expertise, you can trust us to solve your bat problem for good. Whether it’s an attic in Masonville or a vent in Old South, we’ve got you covered.

Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in London today to reclaim your space and keep bats where they belong—in nature!