When Are Bats Most Active?
Early fall is the busiest time for bats. Bat pups have just begun to fly, seeking food on their own. Because bats are insectivores, this time of the year also offers ample opportunity for these creatures to get out and find plenty to eat. As nocturnal animals, you’ll typically see them out in droves after the sun has gone down.When Do Bats Hibernate?
Immediately following this active season, bats begin to hibernate. When colder temperatures hit, insects disappear, which leaves nothing for bats to feed on. Late fall is typically when bats settle in and sleep until spring. Out in nature, bats hibernate in caves or piles of logs, but neighbourhoods in the Durham regions of Ontario, you might find them snoozing in your home. There are many places a colony of bats could tuck themselves into, including your attic.What Goes On During a Bat’s Day?
Bats actually sleep for most of the day. A couple of hours after dusk, they head out to feed. In just one night, they eat around 1,200 mosquito-sized insects per hour, which often totals 6,000-8,000 per night per bat. If you have a mosquito problem, you might find that bats help resolve the issue. As soon as they are full, they head back to roost for the remainder of the night and throughout the next day. You don’t have to worry about a bat sucking your blood. In Ontario, there are eight different species, and none of them are vampire bats. Instead, you’ll find the little brown myotis, the silver-haired bat, the eastern small-footed myotis, the hoary bat, the big brown bat, the eastern red bat, the tricoloured bat and the northern long-eared myotis.
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When Should You Call the Professionals?
If you are out for a stroll during twilight and notice bats flying around, there’s a chance they are roosting in your home, shed or garage. Although female bats only give birth to one pup at a time, colonies tend to grow quickly. If you see only one bat, there probably are more. Some problems they can cause include:- Structural Corrosion – Bat droppings have high levels of uric acid, which is a substance strong enough to erode even metal. When it begins to pile up, it causes structural corrosion in your home. It also weakens wooden framing by expanding fibres.
- Stains – Even after the mess has been cleaned up, bat droppings leave stains. It can become costly to repair or paint over those areas.
- Bad Smells – Every wild animal leaves an odor, and that includes bats. You’ll probably smell the animals themselves, but you’ll also detect their waste. While it might start in the attic, the smell can permeate your entire house.
