How Many Bats Inhibit A Single Attic?

Bats roost in trees, caves, mines, attic, and garages— anywhere that provides shelter from the elements, predator protection, and a secure environment in which to raise their young. Colonies, which can contain anywhere from 100 to several thousand individuals, are the most common way for them to live together.

Bats are nocturnal animals that sleep during the day and hunt at night. During their nightly journeys, some may fly up to 31 miles to find food. If your home contains a large bat infestation, it will be loud and easily detected.

Learn More: Bat Activity FAQ

Which Bat Species Are Common In The United States?

In the United States, there are over 40 different species of bats. In North America, bats such as the big brown bat, the little brown bat, the pallid bat, the Brazilian free-tailed bat, and the northern long-eared bat are common species. The only mammals that can fly are bats and have wings instead of arms or hands. The bone structure of the wings is similar to that of a human hand. Skin flaps run between the bones. Bats are light in weight to make flying easier for them.

Do Large Bat Colonies Infest Attics?

Although this is not true of all bat species, most bats do live in large colonies. Thousands, if not tens of thousands, of animals, live in these colonies. Some colonies have been discovered that have a population in the millions.

These massive colonies serve a variety of purposes, including providing excellent protection due to their sheer size. Because of their large numbers, they can quickly attack and defeat almost any animal they encounter, making hunting much easier. It also facilitates reproduction because there are numerous males and females available.

Because of its large population, the bat colony requires a lot of space to thrive. Attic colonies tend to be around 10-30 bats because there isn’t enough room for thousands of bats. Still, 10-30 bats can completely destroy an attic and must be removed right away.

Are Large Bat Colonies Difficult To Remove? 

Bats in large colonies are still protected by state and federal law. This means that bat exclusion will still be the best option to remove the critters from your attic. Exclusion works the same in large colonies as it does with smaller infestations. The only difference will be how long it takes for all the bats to exit through the exclusions device. A wildlife technician may install multiple exclusion devices to speed up the process.