Did you know that Alberta is home to nine species of bats? They can be found all around the province and are essential to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Unfortunately, bats can also sometimes be found living in people’s homes.
Many of Alberta’s bat population hibernate in the winter meaning that they seek out cozy and safe spaces such as deep inside caves. Occasionally, when the temperature drops too much, bats will wake up from hibernation and migrate to a warmer climate—you may even notice an increase in bat sightings as winter approaches. At A. Clark Roofing & Siding LP., our Edmonton roofing contractors are no strangers to receiving calls from homeowners who have had bats take up residence in their roof.
Here’s what you need to know about why bats may have chosen to set up residence inside your roof and what we can do about it.
Have bats chosen your roof or attic for their new home?
Bats like to roost under roof eaves, as this provides shelter from the wind and other elements. When temporarily roosting, bats don’t pose much of a problem. They will not chew or claw their way into a roof. However, bats will take advantage of any existing holes and cracks inside older eaves, soffit, or fascia.
The warm and dry conditions inside of an attic offer an attractive place for female bats to give birth and raise their pups. Bats are quiet animals, and homeowners can often go a long time without being aware of their presence. However, the accumulation of bat droppings can pose a health hazard, which is why it is important to evict bats once you know you have them.
Time to serve your bats an eviction notice
The first step to getting rid of bats is to identify how they are getting in. Look for any spaces along your siding and roof eaves that appear damaged. You can also inspect your attic during the day to see if there are spaces where sunlight is coming inside.
Do not attempt to remove bats yourself, as a bite can result in illness, infection or injury. It is best to wait until the bats leave at dusk and then seal up their entry points with wooden boards, steel wool, or any other method that will effectively cover up the hole. It is also recommended that you can also contact wildlife control professionals to assess the animals and provide a humane way to remove them from your property. You can also contact the Alberta Community Bat Program for additional information if you have found bats in your property.
How to make sure the bats don’t return
The only way to make sure that bats won’t return to your home is by contacting a professional roofing company to perform the necessary repairs and maintenance on your roof. Some species of bats can fit through openings that have a diameter as small as 1.3 cm. If you don’t have your eaves, fascia, and soffit properly repaired, the bats may simply come back and take up roost in your warm, comfortable roof again.
It is also important to note that any cracks and holes that allowed bats into your home can also cause roof leaks, so prompt roof repair is a must to avoid further costly damages.
Roofing Contractors in Edmonton Providing Quality Roof Repair for Over 70 years
With over 70 years in business, A. Clark Roofing & Siding LP is one of the most experienced roofing companies in the Edmonton region. Our roofers provide quality residential roof repair and maintenance that you can rely on to make sure that bats won’t be able to take roost in your roof anymore.