IPM for Bats Janet Hurley Texas Cooperative Extension

What we will cover Bat Collection Bat Collection Exclusion Exclusion Elimination Elimination Management of bats around institutional settings Management of bats around institutional settings

What is IPM Integrated Pest Management is a process for achieving long term, environmentally sound pest suppression through the use of a wide variety of technological and management practices. Integrated Pest Management is a process for achieving long term, environmentally sound pest suppression through the use of a wide variety of technological and management practices.

IPM is a process

The IPM pyramid Pesticides Biological controls Physical / Mechanical controls Cultural / Sanitation Practices

Bat Collection Should be done by trained person Should be done by trained person Remove students/staff/others Remove students/staff/others Use small box place over bat Use small box place over bat Use stiff cardboard/mailing envelop under box Use stiff cardboard/mailing envelop under box Scoop bat into box, then either release or transport for testing Scoop bat into box, then either release or transport for testing

So what do you do when it’s on the ground?

Developing a control plan Detecting bats Detecting bats –Only permanent way to prevent bats from roosting is to physically exclude them. –Inspection  Should be done in the early AM and Evening –Look for loose flashing, vents, cracks around buildings –Bats only need 1/8 inch opening – size of a dime –Evidence – look for droppings or report of sounds

Bat Entry Points Attic Vents Attic Vents Fascia Boards Fascia Boards Soffit Corners Soffit Corners Gutters Gutters Open Gym or Dock doors at night Open Gym or Dock doors at night Time to watch dusk and dawn

Encouraging Bats to Leave Use one-way tubes to allow bats to leave naturally Use one-way tubes to allow bats to leave naturally Seal up entry points bats only use tubes Seal up entry points bats only use tubes Make sure no available outlets inside buildings Make sure no available outlets inside buildings –Cracked ceiling tiles or openings Avoid bat removal during maternity season Avoid bat removal during maternity season –Mid-may to late August

Eviction: Creating One Way Valves PVC Pipe w/ 2 inch diameter Cleaned empty caulk tubes with the ends cut off.

Image of Bats Leaving

Eviction for long areas

Excluding Bats from a Chimney: Make chimney cap with hardware cloth and insert PVC pipe or empty caulk tubes.

Bat Eviction is hard work

Bat Proofing Materials  Bat-proofing materials –Caulk – cracks and holes –Expanding foam –Weather-stripping –Hardware cloth –Netting  PPE for removal- guano –Gloves leather or thick cloth like bee removal –Tyvek suit, respirator, face mask, goggles to avoid exposure to rabid bats  Remember respirators require a fit test

Encourage bats to leave Schematic from UCANR Leave in place for at least 1 week

Bat Exclusion Seal the smallest entry point to exclude future visits Seal the smallest entry point to exclude future visits Net over large areas to deter entry 1/6 inch Net over large areas to deter entry 1/6 inch

No area should be ignored

Alternative Control Methods Repelling – not always works Repelling – not always works –Light – illuminating the roosting could help drive them out –Air movement – high speed fans can also deter them Outside roosts Outside roosts –Building bat houses –Tree maintenance

Building an Alternative Habitat

Bat Houses can be very easy and inexpensive to build. There are many poor-quality brands available commercially. To get a list of good brands go to for bat houses that meet the criteria.

Improve Your Odds Use houses designed for 100+ bats Paint appropriate color for your area Mount on buildings or poles Mount in area that will receive 6 hours of direct sunlight daily Mount at least 12 feet off ground Place 25+ feet from nearest obstacle Install in groups or back to back Locate within 1/4 mile of freshwater Utilize guano for scent (T. Hanks)

Trimming trees Trim from August to May Trim from August to May

An Ounce of Prevention Tack down flashing Tack down flashing Seal or caulk around wall gutters Seal or caulk around wall gutters Cover/ seal old chimneys or incinerators Cover/ seal old chimneys or incinerators

What would you do?

Living with Bats Identify areas of known bat activity Identify areas of known bat activity Work with other agencies in your area Work with other agencies in your area –Health Dept., Animal Control, Extension, Pest control professionals, Develop detailed plans for how you will react when a bat visits your area Develop detailed plans for how you will react when a bat visits your area –Chain of Command –What to do when –Training personnel –When to remove/evict bats  Exclusion, exclusion, exclusion

Special Thanks Beverlee Nix and Paul Grunenwald Beverlee Nix and Paul Grunenwald –Zoonosis Control Program –Texas Department of State Health Services Barbara French Barbara French – –Conservation Biologist and Science Officer – –Bat Conservation International Laura Finn Laura Finn –Fly By Night – non-profit in Florida Meg Goodman and Dianna Foss Meg Goodman and Dianna Foss –Bat Biologist/Urban Wildlife Biologist –Texas Parks and Wildlife