Having seen them up close, I must say they are not particularly attractive, cute, cuddly animals that make you want to save them - and definitely not at 2:00am! However, they are amazing creatures, and for their pest-control benefits alone, they are worth rescuing and relocating humanely.

There are two issues involved it getting rid of bats - removing the unwanted guest at 2:00 in the morning, and preventing them from accessing the inside of your home in the first place.

The Early Morning Guest

My dogs usually alert me to the presence of a bat, but sometimes it's just the strange, soft sound of wings and the odd thud or two. If you don't think clearly when you wake in a panic, here are some simple steps for encouraging your guest to leave.

1) Don't panic!

2) Remove the "non-combatants" - put dogs, cats and children out of the way, so they don't grab the bat before you do - or get bitten.

3) Shut all doors to keep the bat in as small an area as possible.

4) Open an outside door, to give your guest an escape route.

If the bat doesn't take the hint, you may need to escalate:

5) Arm yourself with a large plastic bowl or colander with a handle and a piece of stiff paper or cardboard

6) When the bat lands, GENTLY trap it inside. DO NOT attempt to swat it out of the air!

7) Slip the cardboard between the wall and the container, and hold it firmly, keeping the bat from escaping.

8) Take the bat and container outside, well away from the house, and let it fly away.

9) Go back to bed, remembering to close the door, liberating the dogs and cats - sleep well knowing you have helped a marvelous little creature.

Preventing access:

Keeping bats out of your house can be problematic, especially if you have an older house that is suffering from too much "character". But there are things you can do, even without a complete remodel:

- Install Bat Boxes
Bat boxes will give your nocturnal friends an alternative place to live once you cover their access to your home. Boxes can be purchased at local art/craft sales, on-line from rescue groups or at home and garden centers. To be effective and welcoming, boxes should be hung at least 15 feet above the ground, face southeast and get at least six hours of daylight.

- Choose your Moment
To avoid stranding the babies in your home, plan to make your modifications to the house in the early spring or the fall - avoid the summer months when the young are unable to fly.

- Exclusion

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