How Likely Do Bats Hibernate in Your Attic?

From winter jackets to home heating systems, humans have developed several technologies to deal with the cold temperatures of the winter. In the same way, several animals have evolved different adaptive features/strategies. Bats, in particular, have two types of adaptations. Bat species like the red and silver-haired bats migrate South to warmer climates. On the other hand, bat species like the Little and Big brown bats hibernate in safe and warm spots. Unfortunately, that spot can be your attic. If that’s you, reach out to Nuisance Wildlife Rangers for your bat problem solutions today.

Why do bats hibernate?

Bats need an adequate supply of food to survive. Some bat species feed on insects, with a single bat consuming up to 600 mosquito-sized insects every night. Other species primarily eat fruits and nectar. But during the winter, the food supply gets disrupted.

To weather this food scarcity, bats need a way to lower their body’s metabolism – and hibernation provides the perfect answer. During hibernation, bats drastically cut down their activities and stay put in a location ranging from 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit to optimize body metabolism, living on whatever fat reserve they’ve built up to that point.

Why do bats hibernate in the attic?

When choosing a spot to hibernate, bats consider several factors like safety and the perfect temperature. Abandoned mines and caves are bats’ favorite hibernation spots in the wild. However, bats have also learned that the attic of houses provides even improved living conditions. They can easily snuggle under the insulation to avoid the fierce winter’s cold. That’s also why you rarely see bats hanging in an attic in the winter – it is simply too cold for survival.

The strange hibernation habits of bats

Bats are not 100% inactive during hibernation, unlike many other hibernating animals. In fact, they awaken every couple of weeks during this period to move around and fly short distances. And when it becomes too warm or cold in their spot, they move to another section of the attic with better conditions. That’s why many homeowners report hearing scratching sounds of bats during the winter. Bats may even accidentally exit the attic through tiny holes.

Signs of bats hibernating in the attic

Do you suspect you have bats hibernating in your attic? Here are some signs to look out for:

1. Fluttering noises in your attic or wall.

As noted earlier, bats typically stay still for most of the winter, but temperature fluctuations can cause them to move around. If you hear fluttering and scuffling sounds coming from your attic, it may signify bat infestation.

2. Squeaks

Bats rely on echolocation with high-pitched calls to get around. These squeaks are inaudible to humans most of the time, but you may hear them communicate if they’re roosting in your attic.

3. Piles of bat droppings (guano)

Bat droppings look like those of rats but smaller. You will typically find bat guano where bats are hibernating in your home. With time, these droppings accumulate and may breed harmful pathogens like histoplasmosis.

4. Brown stains around entry points

It is not uncommon for bats’ body oil and excretions to rub off on your home’s exterior as they move around. Check out for such stains along walls and even under the ceiling.

Dealing with hibernating bats in the attic

If you have bats hibernating in the attic, your first thought might be to send them parking. But before you do that, read on!

Bats hibernate in the attic to survive the freezing outdoor temperatures during the winter. Driving out bats from their hibernaculum is a death sentence as they cannot survive in the outside world. That’s why it is illegal to drive off hibernating bats in most states and districts in the United States.

In most instances, these bats will leave on their own once the winter is over. If that doesn’t happen, get professionals involved quickly. Dealing with a bat infestation yourself is a bad idea because of the risk of diseases like rabies and histoplasmosis that you expose yourself to. You also need a wildlife removal company to create a bat removal plan, perform attic clean-up and restoration, and put measures to ensure they never return.

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