Some animals evoke a natural fear; they live in the collective unconscious as something dangerous. Bats are one of those special species of animals that terrifies many people. The animal’s nightmarish reputation likely stems from its history as a carrier of rabies and its love of the darkness. Yet, why do bats like the dark?
It is not like bats once loved the daylight and then experienced some traumatic event or worshipped dark entities. Like all animals, bats follow their natural instincts, which are based on centuries of evolution.
Still, it is curious that an animal with poor vision would avoid sunlight. Surely, it is easier to see insects and other creepy crawlies in the daytime, right? What caused the species to prefer the night?
Why Do Bats Like the Dark?
Bats are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and hunt and feed at night. The pattern is natural; it is inherent.
While many reasons persist, the primary reason biologists speculate bats developed into nocturnal animals is to protect themselves against predators. During daylight hours, bats are victims to sparrowhawks and other birds of prey.
Darkness allows bats to hide and hunt with minimal threat. Without threats, bats can procreate, ensuring the survival of the species.
A bat’s love of darkness is part of the reason the animal migrates to attic spaces, becoming a homeowner’s problem. Attics are perfect shelters, offering protection against climate events and other wildlife. If you suspect a bat problem in your home, contact a service for bat removal in Madison.
Answering the question, “Why bats are drawn to darkness,” doesn’t automatically lead to a safe or effective solution to bat removal. Just because bats don’t like daylight, it doesn’t mean artificial light is an effective removal strategy, but it can help.
How Can Lighting Aid in Humane Bat Removal?
Learning how to get rid of bats is not a straightforward process. Canada has laws protecting several bat species and limiting the times of permitted removal. Homeowners can use artificial light to deter bats from their property and to aid in removal, but they must be careful to obey regulations.
Bats dislike light because it is easier for predators to find them. If you turn on attic lights, it may encourage bats that live in the space to exit. Also, installing exterior lights may discourage bats from roosting to begin with.
If you use or install lights incorrectly, you can make problems worse. For example, turning on attic lights may encourage bats to remain hidden, entombing them in their roost. Also, artificial lighting can delay the animals’ foraging behaviors.
If you want to use lighting to motivate bats to leave your attic space, it is best to turn the lights on after they leave the roost in the evening. Still, the most effective and humane way to remove bats from your property is to hire a wildlife control professional.
How Can Skedaddle Help With Humane Bat Removal
Why do bats like the dark? They are nocturnal, and the night helps protect them against birds of prey. Still, just because bats have an aversion to daylight does not mean artificial light is an effective removal technique for existing infestations.
Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control can help you take back your property, risking no legal ramifications. That said, you can only remove specific species of bats from your property during specific times of the year. You cannot remove buts during early to mid-spring or from late summer to mid-fall. If you have an existing bat problem, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to schedule a property inspection and learn more.
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