by Jordana Kwan

Created on: July 03, 2007

Bats. I personally love bats, as do my husband and four of my boys. They are beautiful in flight and a wonderful necessity for the environment. The only think I don't like about bats is when they get stuck in my house. I don't mean bats in the belfry or in the attic, I mean in my living room flying around my family's heads. I live in a place when bats in the house are a very common occurrence. Last night, for example. There are several ways to keep bats out of attics and other dark, dank places, but I haven't heard too many ways to keep them out of your living rooms! This particular flying, furry friend made his entrance through the door. That's right, the back door. You might be thinking keep the doors closed, which would be a great idea, if I didn't have four boys. Here's some tips that may help you if you have an overly friendly flying, furry population:

1. Remember to be EXTREMELY careful. While most bats don't carry rabies, they do carry other diseases that may end up being equally as bad. Make sure that when going on a bat hunting expedition that you are fully protected. Hats, gloves, long sleeves, the works! These little guys aren't going to try to hurt you, but accidents happen!

2. If they are flying around your living room (or any other room for that matter) try to get them into an area that has the doors leading outside. You can corral them with a broom or a towel. The closer that you can get them to a door that leads outside, the easier it is to get them out. If they are already in a room with outside doors, close all of the other doors so he can't get into any other room.

3. Turn on all of the lights! This makes them easier to see when trying to help them find the door. Also, surprise, they're nocturnal animals, they just don't like all the bright and shiny stuff.

4. Make lots of noise. They aren't to big on all the racket. I don't have to worry about the noise, if you can imagine four kids and two adults on a bat hunt , it's a loud place to be!

5. If brave enough, attempt to corral the bat into an increasing smaller area towards the door. They can't see very well, but using echolocation they sure do know when something large is in the way.

6. If in you are lucky enough to get the scared little guy to land on the wall, and he is with in reach, get the biggest glass jar that you can find that he will fit in. Place the jar around him (make sure that you don't accidentally smash his little feet!) and use a piece of thick cardboard or plastic to slide between him and the wall. Sometimes this is a little difficult because he's scared and he might not want to let go. Try and coax him gently and be careful not to hurt him.

7. If close to an outside door, open the door, stand out side and throw rocks or something approximately an inch in diameter past the door. After a couple of times, they usually come flying out. Just make sure that you aren't blocking the door or you might end up with a face full of furry and it'll be a trip to the doctor for you! They think that the rocks are bugs and they just take off after them. I don't recommend doing this for more than a couple of minutes, or you might end up with more than one bat in your house!

8. Use a broom or a towel and give the a couple of light pats of air on the rear. This shouldn't hurt them, this however is a tricky maneuver, being that they are usually flying in a circle.

9. If all else fails, call a professional. There is a reason they get paid the big bucks!

Hopefully, you never find yourself entertaining a room full of these wonderful little creatures. But if you do, just remember to keep calm, they are just as scared as you are!

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