How to Protect Your Home from Bats Before Fall
Bats become increasingly active in late spring and early summer in Connecticut. As temperatures rise, bats begin searching for roosting locations, which often include attics, rooflines, and gaps in home exteriors. Preparing your home ahead of peak bat season is crucial for preventing an infestation.
Bats enter homes through extremely small openings—often just ½ inch wide. These gaps may appear around chimneys, soffits, roof intersections, attic vents, and siding. Inspecting these areas in early spring helps identify potential vulnerabilities before bats return from migration or emerge from hibernation.
Homeowners should also monitor for signs of bat activity. Guano (bat droppings) outside entry points, dark stains on siding, or chirping sounds at dusk can indicate bats nearby. Bats typically leave roosting sites at sunset and return before sunrise. Observing your roofline during these times can reveal potential entry locations.
Preventing bat entry involves sealing cracks, installing vent covers, repairing flashing, and reinforcing weak areas. However, homeowners must be aware of Connecticut’s bat maternity season, typically from May to August. During this period, removing or excluding bats is illegal because baby bats are unable to fly. Exclusion during maternity season risks trapping babies inside while mothers cannot reach them.
The best strategy is to schedule a professional inspection before maternity season begins. Wildlife specialists can identify early signs of bat activity, install preventative materials, and complete sealing before bats establish colonies.
If bats are already present, professionals use one-way exclusion devices that allow bats to exit but not return. Once the colony leaves, technicians seal the home to prevent re-entry. Attic sanitization is recommended to remove guano and restore safe air quality.
Preparing your home before summer helps protect it from bat infestations, ensures legal compliance, and avoids costly attic restoration.
