The Savannah bats prefer to roost in high areas in the wild, but due to the fact that humans have invaded their natural habitat, there will be time when they will choose to roost in our home. We can find them in the dark and high areas such as the attic, chimney, and our barn. Understanding how to appropriately get rid of them is essential to ensure that you will not have a direct contact with them. This will minimize the possibility of disease transmission such as Histoplasmosis, parasites, and Rabies.

Step-By-Step Guide in Getting Rid of the Bats in Your Barn

Before you start to perform exclusion, it is recommended to call the local Georgia wildlife agency to familiarize yourself on the laws and the regulations that protects the bats against warrantless eviction. There are states that will require you to carry the necessary license. There are also others that will provide you with clear instructions that you need to follow.

Choosing the Appropriate Time

The mother Georgia bats will raise their infants from the month of May up to September (the date will vary depending on the local climate). They will hunt during the night time and will immediately return to their roost to take care of their babies. In case you will trap the mother bats outside during the spring or summer months, the babies will be left helpless outside that may lead to their death. This will lead to another problem such as taking care of the carcass of the dead bat. It will also entail some legal repercussions since this is illegal under the law.

Looking for the Savannah Bat's Access Point

You will have to observe the action of the Georgia bats a few minutes after dusk in order to determine their access point. You may also look for the entry holes that are around ½ inch in diameter. The bats will usually defecate before entering the roost. This means that you should find traces of their feces in their entry points. You may also find rub marks that came from the grease in their fur. 

Getting Them Out

After you successfully identified the access points of the Georgia bats, leave one open while sealing the remaining holes. This is where you will install the exclusion funnel. Be sure to use an exclusion funnel that is manufactured especially for bats. It should be made of smooth materials that will prevent them from roosting. It should also be wide enough that will allow their wings to spread. When sealing the other holes, avoid using hardware cloth and wire mesh where the bats can roost. This exclusion device should be left behind for a couple of weeks. After you are sure that there are no signs of active infestation, remove the exclusion device and seal the last hole.

If you don't want to deal with this issue, you need to make sure that your barn will be Savannah bat-proof. You may also provide them with a better alternative such as a bat house that is installed away from your property.