IPM for BatsIPM for Bats

Janet HurleyJanet Hurley

Texas Cooperative ExtensionTexas Cooperative Extension

What we will coverWhat we will cover

Bat CollectionBat Collection ExclusionExclusion EliminationElimination Management of bats around Management of bats around

institutional settingsinstitutional settings

What is IPMWhat is IPM

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

IPM

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a

IPM

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a

pro

cess

pro

cess

The IPM The IPM pyramidpyramid

PesticidesPesticides

Biological Biological controlscontrols

Physical / Physical / Mechanical controlsMechanical controls

Cultural / Sanitation PracticesCultural / Sanitation Practices

Bat CollectionBat Collection

Should be done by trained Should be done by trained personperson

Remove students/staff/othersRemove students/staff/others Use small box place over batUse small box place over bat Use stiff cardboard/mailing Use stiff cardboard/mailing

envelop under boxenvelop under box Scoop bat into box, then Scoop bat into box, then

either release or transport for either release or transport for testingtesting

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

Developing a control planDeveloping a control plan

Detecting batsDetecting bats– Only permanent way to prevent bats Only permanent way to prevent bats

from roosting is to physically exclude from roosting is to physically exclude them.them.

– InspectionInspection Should be done in the early AM and EveningShould be done in the early AM and Evening

– Look for loose flashing, vents, cracks around Look for loose flashing, vents, cracks around buildingsbuildings

– Bats only need 1/8 inch opening – size of a dimeBats only need 1/8 inch opening – size of a dime– Evidence – look for droppings or report of soundsEvidence – look for droppings or report of sounds

Bat Entry PointsBat Entry Points

Attic VentsAttic Vents Fascia Fascia

BoardsBoards Soffit CornersSoffit Corners GuttersGutters Open Gym or Open Gym or

Dock doors Dock doors at nightat night

Time to watch dusk and dawn

Encouraging Bats to LeaveEncouraging Bats to Leave

Use one-way tubes to allow bats to Use one-way tubes to allow bats to leave naturallyleave naturally

Seal up entry points bats only use tubesSeal up entry points bats only use tubes Make sure no available outlets inside Make sure no available outlets inside

buildingsbuildings– Cracked ceiling tiles or openingsCracked ceiling tiles or openings

Avoid bat removal during maternity Avoid bat removal during maternity seasonseason– Mid-may to late AugustMid-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 Image of Bats Leaving

Eviction for long areasEviction 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 workBat Eviction is hard work

Bat Proofing Bat Proofing Materials Materials

Bat-proofing materialsBat-proofing materials– Caulk – cracks and holesCaulk – cracks and holes– Expanding foamExpanding foam– Weather-strippingWeather-stripping– Hardware clothHardware cloth– NettingNetting

PPE for removal- guano PPE for removal- guano – Gloves leather or thick cloth like bee removalGloves leather or thick cloth like bee removal– Tyvek suit, respirator, face mask, goggles to Tyvek suit, respirator, face mask, goggles to

avoid exposure to rabid batsavoid exposure to rabid bats Remember respirators require a fit testRemember respirators require a fit test

Encourage Encourage bats to bats to leaveleave

Schematic from UCANR

Leave in place for at least 1 week

Bat Bat ExclusionExclusion

Seal the Seal the smallest smallest entry point entry point to exclude to exclude future visitsfuture visits

Net over Net over large areas large areas to deter to deter entry 1/6 entry 1/6 inchinch

No area should be ignoredNo area should be ignored

Alternative Control MethodsAlternative Control Methods

Repelling – not always worksRepelling – not always works– Light – illuminating the roosting could Light – illuminating the roosting could

help drive them outhelp drive them out– Air movement – high speed fans can Air movement – high speed fans can

also deter themalso deter them Outside roostsOutside roosts

– Building bat houses Building bat houses – Tree maintenance Tree maintenance

Building an Building an Alternative Alternative

HabitatHabitat

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 www.batcon.org 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 treesTrimming trees

Trim from August to MayTrim from August to May

An Ounce of PreventionAn Ounce of Prevention

Tack down Tack down flashingflashing

Seal or caulk Seal or caulk around wall around wall guttersgutters

Cover/ seal Cover/ seal old chimneys old chimneys or or incinerators incinerators

What would you do?What would you do?

Living with BatsLiving with Bats Identify areas of known bat activity Identify areas of known bat activity Work with other agencies in your areaWork with other agencies in your area

– Health Dept., Animal Control, Extension, Pest Health Dept., Animal Control, Extension, Pest control professionals, control professionals,

Develop detailed plans for how you will Develop detailed plans for how you will react when a bat visits your areareact when a bat visits your area– Chain of CommandChain of Command– What to do when What to do when – Training personnelTraining personnel– When to remove/evict batsWhen to remove/evict bats

Exclusion, exclusion, exclusionExclusion, exclusion, exclusion

Special ThanksSpecial Thanks Beverlee Nix and Paul GrunenwaldBeverlee Nix and Paul Grunenwald

– Zoonosis Control ProgramZoonosis Control Program– Texas Department of State Health ServicesTexas Department of State Health Services

Barbara FrenchBarbara French– Conservation Biologist and Science Officer– Bat Conservation International

Laura Finn Laura Finn – Fly By Night – non-profit in Florida Fly By Night – non-profit in Florida

Meg Goodman and Dianna FossMeg Goodman and Dianna Foss– Bat Biologist/Urban Wildlife BiologistBat Biologist/Urban Wildlife Biologist– Texas Parks and WildlifeTexas Parks and Wildlife