Charlotte's Best Bat Removal

Do Bats Avoid Light?

Bats embody the phrase ‘a rat with wings' because of how they look. With a fuzzy body and thin membranes on their forelimbs, they look grotesque to us. These are the only nocturnal flying mammals on Earth. Only being seen at night adds to the superstitions and rumors. There are several factors that bats are helpful to the ecosystem and keep insect populations at bay. Some even help pollinate flowers in various areas as well.

Nocturnal Flying Mammals

When we say nocturnal, we mean these guys are awake at night and sleep during the day. With all of their daily activities happening after dusk, they have developed low-light vision. Paired with echolocation, bats hunt at night when insect pests are active. Their coloring gives them better camouflage at night too. Flying during the daytime makes them vulnerable to predators. Their survival depends on how fast they can fly, how well they can escape, and how easy it is for them to hide. Daylight is just the wrong time of day for bats.

Differences of Species

Not all species are limited to only nighttime hunting, though. Several frugivores, bats that eat fruit or drink nectar, can see a bit more color than their insect-eating buddies, including ultraviolet light. Their eyes use more cones than rods to see better in daylight. Cones are what we use to see color in daylight while rods are dedicated to night vision. This means they can better handle being a bit more active during the day than others. Nature is a funny thing in how the development of the various species came about. Bats have such a wide array of habits that it can be hard to understand how differently they can act.

As a guideline, most bats that we see in our neighborhoods will avoid bright light entirely. They will go out of their way to avoid dull light. They will even change their regular flight path if, say, streetlights were installed. Bats prefer little to no light unless it is moonlight.

Can You Light a Roost?

Having a quiet roost encourages better sleep and fewer potential disturbances. Bats are stubborn in keeping a good roost. Lighting up a roost will only cause discomfort and they will move into a slightly different spot instead of leaving outright.

Some of the problems with lighting a roost can severely affect the survival of the bats. The lights can delay or prevent them from leaving at all. If this happens, bats can miss the chance to catch insects and have less time to find food. They might abandon the roost entirely. If it is a maternity colony, baby bats called pups will starve and die. If they are in the roost, they could feel trapped and unable to get out. Either result has potential legal action against you.

For some species that are extra vulnerable in light, their feeding behavior changes. They lose foraging grounds to light. That light attracts their prey, but they are unable to get it for fear of becoming prey themselves.

Options for You

Instead of lighting up the roosting area with expensive supplies, especially since it might not even work, you should consult a professional. They can give you tips and advice as well as a quote for coming out to remove or exclude bats from your home or property. In any case, it is better to give bats a place that is safer for them and you that is not your home. Having a bat colony in the area will help control insect pest populations as well.

Consult a Professional

Handling bats is discouraged. They are timid creatures and humans can be much scarier than the rumors around bats. If one is on the ground, they might be eating and should be left alone. If they appear sick, it is especially important not to get too close to it. If you come across one during the day, that is even more reason to avoid them. Daytime flying is reserved for emergencies for bats. It could be sick or disoriented and will pose a danger to others. Bats will try to avoid light, even missing meals when healthy. For any bat that is concerning you, call a local professional to deal with it. There are ways you can help, but touching and handling a bat is not encouraged.