Pest Control - Bats

[SeeGeeWhy]

Has anyone had any good experiences with a pest control outfit here in town?

I found some suspicious droppings at the base of my chimney stack this morning (no where else). They're quite small, but I am unsure of the origin... could be a mouse, could it also be a bat?

Anyway, I'd like someone who knows what they're doing and doesn't charge out the arse.

[burn_baby_burn]

Try a mouse trap. There only a couple bucks.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

Has anyone had any good experiences with a pest control outfit here in town?

I found some suspicious droppings at the base of my chimney stack this morning (no where else). They're quite small, but I am unsure of the origin... could be a mouse, could it also be a bat?

Anyway, I'd like someone who knows what they're doing and doesn't charge out the arse.

Hmmm, sounds like a pregnant wife could be the issue. Any of those around?

[SeeGeeWhy]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Try a mouse trap. There only a couple bucks.

I'm not sure that it is a mouse.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

I'm not sure that it is a mouse.

Still, a few dollars on a mouse trap compared to paying a pest control company. If you catch a mouse, problem solved, mystery solved. If you don't, your only out a few bucks and then you still have the more expensive option of the pest control company.

[Circa89]

Mouse droppings and bat droppings are almost indistinguishable. I would take burn baby burns advice and place out some mouse traps. Instead of placing a traditional snap trap however buy some bait (mouse poison) if you are getting any feeding on those it will be mice and take it from there. If after a week or so there is no activity (feeding) on the bait then you are correct in your assumption and it is most likely a Little Brown Bat (actual name). A pest control company can do very little if it is indeed a bat. Bats are protected and they are unable to kill the little guy. Traps will not work for bats and the only solution is to put up netting so that they do not gain access to the house. An easy solution would be to have a fire on a rainy night and that should scare the little guy away. Do it repeatedly and the bat will relocate itself. The Little Brown Bat over winters in a cave in Bragg Creek and will leave in Late October anyway, however if they like the set up in the chimeny they will return again next summer again and again.

I hope that helps. keep me updated on the situation and I can offer more advice.

[alltherage]

Ok, first, have a fire tonight. No bat. Then put out a mouse trap. No mouse. Problem solved!

[Sainters7]

I was actually about to start a thread on the exact same thing. I was at work on Sunday, and somehow a bat got into the store, it was flying around and swooping at people. Obviously the initial reaction was to go outside, and when I came back in now he's "gone", he's obviously holed up somewhere in the ceiling.

[Peanut]

So if the bat just lives in the chimney, is it really a "pest"? I suspect he'll leave in September/October when we turn on the furnance more regularly. As long as he can't actually get inside our house because that just gives me the creeps.

Also, wouldn't our cat have caught the mouse if it was a mouse? I'm disapointed in him... it's his JOB!!!

[Bobblehead]

Probably a union cat.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

Has anyone had any good experiences with a pest control outfit here in town?

I found some suspicious droppings at the base of my chimney stack this morning (no where else). They're quite small, but I am unsure of the origin... could be a mouse, could it also be a bat?

Anyway, I'd like someone who knows what they're doing and doesn't charge out the arse.

Try Critter Ridder (Canadian Tire), I have had success with it keeping cats away from my plants. It also works for dogs, racoons, and other vermin.

[loob job]

bat poop is longer, if its long and narrow its bat.

[Circa89]

Originally Posted by Peanut

So if the bat just lives in the chimney, is it really a "pest"? I suspect he'll leave in September/October when we turn on the furnance more regularly. As long as he can't actually get inside our house because that just gives me the creeps.

Also, wouldn't our cat have caught the mouse if it was a mouse? I'm disapointed in him... it's his JOB!!!

It is not really a pest if it doesn't pester you but I would like to caution you that the fecal droppings are a source of concern in terms of disease and parasites. Please be aware that Bats may have mites or Bat Bugs. Bat Bugs are almost identical to Bed Bugs and are very difficult and expensive to rid your home of. The droppings contain diseases that are very real. Please google histoplamosis and then reconsider if these cute critters can be considered pests even if they do not eneter the home.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Circa89

It is not really a pest if it doesn't pester you but I would like to caution you that the fecal droppings are a source of concern in terms of disease and parasites. Please be aware that Bats may have mites or Bat Bugs. Bat Bugs are almost identical to Bed Bugs and are very difficult and expensive to rid your home of. The droppings contain diseases that are very real. Please google histoplamosis and then reconsider if these cute critters can be considered pests even if they do not eneter the home.

No, you're right. I wasn't really considering the disease/droppings aspect. So gross. And don't worry - bats aren't cute in my books. Just ugly, flying mice.

I'm actually sort of joking about the cat too... I don't want him catching some scary mouse/vermin-disease if that could happen. I am honestly a bit surprised though that he hasn't "taken care" of this problem.

[Russic]

I only wanted to mention that if I saw my cat take down a bat it would be certifiably bad-ass. For whatever reason when I play it all out in my head he's wearing a red head-band similar to Rambo.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Try Mr. Reyes at Abell Pest Control, he did good work for me.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Found some interesting info from Sustainable Resource Development on bats, including how to build a bat house.

http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlif...atcontrol.aspx

[You Need a Thneed]

If you hate mosquitos, you love bats, period. Bats are pretty much the most efficient mosquito eating machines there is.

You might not want them in your house, but keeping them close is beneficial.

[fredr123]

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=58962

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by fredr123

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=58962

Are you suggesting we call your farm-ly family members to come over and "take care of this"?? Our hose does not spray up to the chimney, so we can't torment them first, just so you know.