The Bat Watch - A Step By Step Guide
Bat watches are encouraged not only to determine how many bats you have, but also to solidify where the
main entry and exit points are, and to determine if there are any previously unnoticed entry and exit points.
A bat watch is best performed during the warm weather months, rather than in the
late fall, or during colder weather. Consequently, winter watches are usually fruitless,
as bats do not move around much until the weather warms.
A bat watch can be quite fun if done correctly. We have explained the below successful
method to many people, and have been told in return that it was a fascinating event,
in spite of being required due to an overwhelming situation.
Conducting A Watch The Skunk Whisperer Way
There is no need to count the bats, although it is fun. The procedure and cost to evict 1,000
bats from a structure is generally the same as a structure with only three bats. If you
really want to know how many bats you have, you must do this watch 3 nights in a row,
and take the average of the 3 evenings.
| 1. |
Look for bat guano, (feces/poo) on the ground around your home. You can see an example of guano here on
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some bricks in this photo, an indicator of the bat's most likely entry and exit points.
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| 2. |
For a typical 2,000 sq. ft. structure, four or more people are preferable.
The more people you have to help you, the more accurate your
count will be, and also important, you'll be more likely to discover every nook and cranny the bats are using.
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| 3. |
Set up lawn chairs at the corners of the infested structure, and other points of interest,
such as attic vents, chimneys, and roof peaks. On commercial brick buildings with metal trim,
pay extra close attention to the area around the metal trim.
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| 4. |
If you have a chiminea, fire pit, or other wood burning device, light it up to start
smoking the mosquitoes out of the area. Remember the mosquitoes carry more diseases
than the bats do. Combine this with mosquito repellants, perhaps a mosquito propane
device, and your favorite soda or beverage, and start the evening. Friends and
family will enjoy this, and are anxious to help. Older children will enjoy it too.
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| 5. |
Make certain that the younger children that cannot count or do not have
the best attention span are placed in areas less likely to have bats.
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| 6. |
About dusk, the swallows will start to fly around with their erratic flight pattern.
Immediately after the swallows are done, and sometimes slightly overlapping the bats
exiting, the bats will start to fly up and out, or drop out of the structure.
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| 7. |
Depending on the amount of light in your area, continue to count until you
cannot see any more exit. Sometimes they will continue to exit, and all you
will be able to see is their shadow or silhouette.
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| 8. |
Remember, for an "accurate" count, you must average the number that you saw three nights in a row.
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| 9. |
Remember, the cost and procedure to evict 1,000 bats is generally the same as to evict just a few.
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| 10. |
Bats are quick. Be alert. If you are short staffed, a baby camera or video camera can be employed
in a few areas. Do not shine a bright light, as the bats do not usually care for this, and it
may disrupt your watch. Many baby cameras have an infrared camera, and will be a perfect camera for this situation.
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| 11. |
If you are not able or willing to do a bat watch, do not worry. Most of the time, we can
come to your home and point out exactly where the bats are entering and exiting without
doing a bat watch, and within minutes. To be certain, we always prefer that a bat watch be
done. We can orchestrate the event with your friends and family, or you can employ us to enjoy the watch.
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