[TNLAKEPANDA]

Originally Posted by lugnut

I have discovered a colony of bats in my soffets. I contacted an exterminator and he has informed me that they are a protected species and can't be extracted during mating season, which runs from April 15th to August 15th. Has anybody else had a this problem? Suggestions?

It’s true the are a protected species. We owned a cabin in Gattlinburg TN and it cost me $2500 to have some bats “Re-Located”. I sold the cabin after that!

Good luck… unless you want to take care of it yourself.

[sallyg]

Lots of bat lovers around with great ideas. We had them at two different houses up north. They came back every year, cool animals.

[FredJacobs]

I contacted Massey Services when I had a colony of bats in the attic. They are removed by building a one way "door" that allows them to leave at night and hunt but they can't get back in when they return. They move on and establish a colony in another location. This stays up for 2-3 days before Massey goes into the attic to make sure the entire colony is gone, clean up the guano, remove the "door" and seal the hole.

If you are interested in bat a house, I suggest that you put it up a few days before you evict them from your house. If you get outside your home about 30 minutes before sunrise, you might be able to see them enter before you call a pest control company. After the "door" is installed you might be able to see which one of your neighbor's homes they pick to relocate the colony.

[ABGinVA]

Originally Posted by lugnut

I have discovered a colony of bats in my soffets. I contacted an exterminator and he has informed me that they are a protected species and can't be extracted during mating season, which runs from April 15th to August 15th. Has anybody else had a this problem? Suggestions?

We had very good luck discouraging a large population of bats living in our attic from returning by creating a "flexible funnel" out of screen and securing it to their exit. The bats fly out through the funnel, but when they return they are unable to navigate into the end of the funnel to get back in. We left it up for a few days, then removed it and sealed up their exit. Got rid of the bats without having to kill these very beneficial bug eaters.

As advised, you should wait until breeding season is over or you could have flightless babies that die in your attic and create a stink.

Instructions are here: How to Get Rid of Bats in Your Attic | Family Handyman

[SusanKD]

Bats are protected in Virginia so I think it’s a federal law. The bars were roosting in the eve vents off our house it was recommended to put up bat houses

[NoMo50]

The good news is they should keep the local mosquito population in check.

[Andyb]

Good to have around, they will eat tons of mosquitoes

[Andyb]

Put up a bat house, so they will use that instead of your soffit

[Jeffery M]

Originally Posted by lugnut

I have discovered a colony of bats in my soffets. I contacted an exterminator and he has informed me that they are a protected species and can't be extracted during mating season, which runs from April 15th to August 15th. Has anybody else had a this problem? Suggestions?

Put up a solar light or shine a yard floodlight up where the bats are located. If a light is on all night they won't stay there.

[cbmerl]

Originally Posted by lugnut

I have discovered a colony of bats in my soffets. I contacted an exterminator and he has informed me that they are a protected species and can't be extracted during mating season, which runs from April 15th to August 15th. Has anybody else had a this problem? Suggestions?

Your exterminator is correct. They cannot be removed during their mating season. After that they can be mitigated by doing things to your house so that they can fly out but not back in. While living in Stuart my neighbors on both sides of me had bats in their barrel tile roof tiles. There were thousands!! But, they had to wait until it was allowed to get rid of them. They are directed out but never killed.

[dougjb]

Bats are marvelous creatures!

They scoop up mosquitos by the bucketful. If you take a look around, we live next to or in a swamp. That is a breeding ground for mosquitos. I really think it would be best if we had a lot more bats. This natural predator of mosquitos would be a great addition to our wildlife!

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by dougjb

Bats are marvelous creatures!

They scoop up mosquitos by the bucketful. If you take a look around, we live next to or in a swamp. That is a breeding ground for mosquitos. I really think it would be best if we had a lot more bats. This natural predator of mosquitos would be a great addition to our wildlife!

I’ve yet to see a bat carrying a bucket

[dougjb]

Originally Posted by photo1902

I’ve yet to see a bat carrying a bucket

LOL...That's because its dark outside when they fly....so you can't see them!

[spofford]

Bats in New Hampshire, mating season May to August. Not fun especially when they get in the house.

[kathy1516]

You think the architectural committee would require a permit for these bat houses? They require permission for everything else!!! LOLOL 🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇