How to make bats go away?

Author: Katrina Balistreri  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Here are a couple of steps you can take to keep bats away from your home:
  1. Seal Entry Points. ...
  2. Install Bat Houses. ...
  3. Use Repellents. ...
  4. Eliminate Standing Water. ...
  5. Trim your Trees and Bushes. ...
  6. Clean Up Fruit on the Ground. ...
  7. Create Light Barriers. ...
  8. Use Ultrasonic Devices.

What is the fastest way to get rid of bats?

One way to get rid of bats is to use a product called a one-way exit valve—a device that allows the bats to exit, but doesn't allow them to return. This type of device works by providing a small hole that bats can pass through, but won't come back out of.

What smell will keep bats away?

Finally, spray the area with (not poison) a scented solution made of things that that bats find unpleasant, they seem to dislike the following smells: cinnamon, white phenol, mothballs, or eucalyptus.

How do you encourage bats to leave?

  • Turn Off Lights: Bats are nocturnal and prefer dark, quiet spaces.
  • Create an Exit Path: Open windows and doors to provide an easy exit route.
  • Use a Fan: Place a fan near the exit to blow fresh air outside.
  • Quiet Environment: Reduce noise levels in your home.

What naturally keeps bats away?

Here are some natural ways to keep them away:
  • Bright lights in attics or where they enter.
  • Ultrasonic devices that make high-frequency sounds.
  • Strong smells like peppermint, eucalyptus, or cinnamon.

Bats How to Get Rid of them Fast | Top 7 Ways

What is the best bat deterrent?

Ultrasonic Repellers

These devices emit high-frequency sounds that are disturbing to bats but undetectable to humans. They are an effective bat repellent in areas like attics and basements.

Do bats come back to the same place every night?

Yes, bats return to the same place every night. They will also return to a known roost after being gone for months or years. They remember the location, especially if they are looking for a place during the maternity season, and they will return.

Will leaving lights on keep bats away?

If you want to implement a practice to deter bats, putting up bright lights probably won't do the trick. It seems reasonable, as bats will avoid bright lights, but it often exacerbates the problem.

What do bats fear most?

Fact: Bats are afraid of people and avoid them. Bat echolocation is highly sophisticated and enables them to detect obstacles as fine as human hair, therefore easily avoiding your head. If a bat gets close to a human, it's usually because they are curious about insects that are naturally attracted to people.

What triggers bats to come out?

Bats are largely nocturnal, meaning they are most active after sundown. Specifically, little brown bats emerge from their dark roosts two-to-three hours after dusk to feed. After feeding, they return to their roosts to sleep out the rest of the night and day hanging upside down.

What sound does a bat hate?

Broadcasting ultrasonic sounds at the frequency range which bats use for echolocation may act as a deterrent by interfering with their ability to perceive echoes.

How do I get rid of a bat on my porch?

Using bat repellents

There are several natural repellents that can help deter bats from your porch. Wind chimes and reflective surfaces can be effective, as bats don't like loud noises or bright lights. You can also try hanging bags of mothballs or soaking rags in ammonia and placing them around your porch.

Will bats go into a room with lights on?

Will bats go into a room with lights on? Bats are primarily nocturnal creatures that prefer darkness. While some species may be less disturbed by light, it is generally uncommon for bats to willingly enter well-lit rooms.

What do bats hate the most?

Natural repellents like cinnamon, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils can deter bats due to their strong sense of smell. Apply these oils on potential entry points or use them as a spray around your property.

What spray repels bats?

Products with Naphthalene

The most popular chemical bat repellent products use naphthalene, the same chemical in mothballs.

Can you scare bats away?

Use bright, motion-activated lights to deter nocturnal bats by creating an unwelcoming environment. Keep the porch clean and free from food sources such as standing water and insects to discourage bats. Employ scent and noise deterrents like peppermint and eucalyptus oils, and ultrasonic devices to repel bats.

Why do bats fly towards you?

The origin of this rumor may come from bats foraging low, just over the heads of individuals. While it may look as though these bats are out of control and trying to fly into someone's hair; the reality is that these bats are in complete control chasing insects that are in evasive mode trying not to be caught.

Are bats aggressive to humans?

All healthy bats try to avoid humans by taking flight and are not purposely aggressive. Most bats are about the size of a mouse and use their small teeth and weak jaws to grind up insects.

How do I permanently get rid of bats?

The most effective and humane way to remove bats is by using a bat valve in conjunction with a full home exclusion. A bat valve allows for bats to exit your home but not re-enter. Once the bat valve is installed, all other entry points will be sealed, allowing for bats to only exit through the valve.

What smell do bats hate?

Bats have a strong sense of smell and are commonly thought to be repelled by certain natural scents. For this purpose, some homeowners use peppermint oil, cinnamon, eucalyptus oil, cloves, and garlic as bat repellants.

How to stop bats from making noise?

Adhesive sound insulation could be installed in the interior of the house, or lagging or cladding used to dampen the sound. Other solutions that have worked for roost owners in the past have included arranging furniture or installing cupboards to help dampen the sound on these walls.

Is it safe to sleep in a house with bats?

Bats in the home can be dangerous because a few may carry rabies. It may be necessary for the bat to be tested for rabies if someone in the home was exposed to a bat bite, bat saliva, or bat guano.

What month are bats most active?

March – Some begin coming out to find food as it gets warmer. April – Most have gone out of hibernation by now and are very active and very hungry, they'll be out foraging for food every night. June – Baby bats are born. Adult bats are consuming large amounts of insects.

How much does it cost to remove bats from your attic?

Bat removal costs $477 on average, but most homeowners pay between $228 and $726 to remove bats from their homes. To seal your home against bats can cost as little as $100, but to remove an entire colony, you could expect to pay $1,500 or more.

Previous article
Why do pipes make noise when washing machine fills?
Next article
Should I replace my water heater before it fails?