Too much guano: Getting Bats out of barn - ideas?

[beowulf]

Re the smoke idea. I thought about getting a whole bunch of those room foggers and placing them near where they roost. Also thought about those gopher gassers but they burn real hot and with a flame of sorts and don't want to try that in a wooden barn - I could though, perhaps put a gopher gasser in a secure metal bucket - and put that on something that is fireproof or whatever and try that. I would want to be very careful but I think I could build something that was safe - perhaps have an enclosed metal container with an opening - inverted metal funnel - put sand in the metal container, stick the gasser in the sand, light it and put the funnel on. . . may try that.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Whatever you do to rid or move the bats, protect your lungs. People have developed histoplasmosis from exposure. It's been quite some time since I read up on the subject while working on older homes but as I recall, the spores get into the lungs and irritate the tissue resulting in permenant scaring and reduce your breathing capacity. Someone more versed in health issues chime in and correct me or elaborate.

 

[bcp]

Figure out the reason they like your barn, then change that (perches, darkness, wind-free, etc.). If you scare them off or stink them out, they'll come back later.

Bruce


Bats: world's fastest flyer and worlds fastest mammal.

Fastest flying animals in the world are Brazilian free-tailed bats | WIRED UK

 

[CalG]

Mostly they like WARMTH!

I had a bunch roost in the wall mounted Empire Gas heater in the shop.
First time I lit it in the fall, there was quite a scurry.
What I didn't figure was the corrosive nature of their presence. Rusted the co axial inlet /vent pipe right off the heat box.
The hole place could have gone in flames.

Last year this time, I replace the heater. There must have been four gallons of droppings in the heat box.

I don't shut the pilot down in summer now ;-)

 

[Quebecguy]

Whatever you do to rid or move the bats, protect your lungs. People have developed histoplasmosis from exposure. It's been quite some time since I read up on the subject while working on older homes but as I recall, the spores get into the lungs and irritate the tissue resulting in permenant scaring and reduce your breathing capacity. Someone more versed in health issues chime in and correct me or elaborate.

I'm no expert but I agree with QRTRHRS; I remember reading about how bat guano can kill you.

 

[Mendonsy]

I like the strobe light idea. That might work if you can find the right place to put it!

 

[beowulf]

I like the strobe light idea. That might work if you can find the right place to put it!

Yeah, I may see what I can find out there. It may drive the barn cat crazy, but worth a try.

 

[Mendonsy]

Attachment got deleted!

Maybe you could get the barn cat some sunglasses?

 

[DarrellSimpson]

Do you think you could direct a powerful fan towards where they are sleeping, can you get to their location, maybe some expanding spray foam could fill the void that they are in . If I remember right they dont like mothballs with fermaldihyde ?

 

[mapper]

Putting up some bat houses near the barn will give them a place to go. Then try some fans, lights etc. to get them to leave your barn. You will get the benefit of having them around for insect control but not have to put up with the guano where you don't want it.
There was a similar problem in the grange hall nearby, they put up some really big bat houses, then cleaned up the foot or two of guano out of the attic of the building. The building was closed for the better part of a year by the health department until it was cleaned up sufficiently for occupation.