Bats must find a winter roost where they can maintain a body temperature at a few degrees above freezing. Choosing the perfect location to hibernate can be critical for their survival. If the roost temperature goes below zero they will freeze to death. And if temperatures get too warm they will use up their fat reserves too quickly and starve to death.
In order for the bats to stay in the hibernating state, called Torpor, they need to maintain their body temperature at approximately 3 degrees Celsius. When it gets too warm or too cold outside, they tend to move within the walls of the house to find a location that is 3 degrees Celsius. Due to the cold snap we had in Toronto last week, bats were on the move. This bat wasn’t able to stay in its hibernating state and ended up finding its way into the living space of the home.
Finding a bat inside your house is typically a sign that there is a colony of bats living inside the attic. Sometimes when bats try to venture through the entry hole to the outside, they loose their footing and loose their way. While searching for a way out they occasionally end up in an unfinished part of the basement.
Please note: If a bat is found inside a house during the winter months do not release it outside, it will not survive. Call a local wildlife rehabilitator and they will care for it until the spring. Saving the life of every single bat is critical as their numbers are rapidly declining. In fact, the little brown bat is now on Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Endangered List.
By Brad Gates, B.Sc.
Brad Gates is the owner and president of AAA Gates Wildlife Control. He has over 35 years experience in the humane wildlife removal and prevention industry.
Furthermore, if you are currently facing issues with bats in your home, consider our Bat Removal Services to ensure a harmonious living environment.
