Bat Repellents Guide
If you have ever had the misfortune to have a single bat or group of bats living inside your attic, chimney or walls, then you already know why many people are interested in bat repellents. Bat repellents can be a way to reduce the chances of bats finding your home appealing enough to roost inside and make them leave—or help increase the chances that they won’t roost in your home in the first place. The following guide will help you understand more about bat repellents, including the types of repellents and how well they work.
What Are Bat Repellents?
Bat repellents cover a wide variety of products that are intended to repel bats away from an area.
Types of Bat Repellents
There are many different types of bat repellents. You should look up the local laws in your area to make sure that the repellent you want to use is allowed. Some areas have laws regulating what can and can’t be used in an attempt to deter bats; this is particularly true in areas where laws protect bats from being harmed due to the important role they play in local ecosystems.
The following are the most common types of bat repellents that you can find today.
Fragrance Repellents
Some bat repellents are meant to repel bats by using fragrances that they find irritating and will want to avoid. These fragrances include but are not limited to fragrances with a strong and non-subtle scent, such as menthol, mint, eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon, and green tea. It's important to not use any substances that are toxic to bats, while still using a fragrance that is strong enough to be annoying to a bat’s sense of smell.
Electronic Repellents
Another common type of bat repellent is an electronic repellent. These repellents are intended to use sound waves to confuse and irritate bats. Electronic repellents can be used to keep bats away from a specific area in the first place or to irritate bats who are already roosting in your home. Electronic repellents may take several weeks to work, as you will need to adjust the frequency based on how effective it is and it can take time for all the bats to leave.
Light Repellents
Another common bat repellent are light repellents. Light repellents are designed to make spaces unsuitable for bats roosting, and can be used to deter bats from roosting or to encourage currently roosting bats to leave an area. Light repellents are designed to emit a very bright and reflective light, which will make bats find an area unsuitable. You may need to set up multiple lights in order to cover the entire area as well as any entry points.
How Successful Are Bat Repellents?
Bat repellents have varying degrees of success depending on whether the bats are already roosted, how long they have been living in an area, how many bats there are and the type of repellent being used.
Ideally, you should contact a professional bat removal service if your home has an infestation of bats. This will ensure they are removed efficiently, humanely and safely.