I have a 100+ year old house in Wisconsin that has a decent
population of bats in it. I know I cannot kill them and do not
want to, but after having one in the house and going through
rabies shots, I would like them to move out this fall (I have read
they migrate in the fall) and not be able to get back in. The
house is all brick (and in very good condition so i know that is
not an entry point), but the roof is the older slate/asbestos
diamond style with cedar under it. The bats seem to be able to
get out between the shingles on the eaves and any other small
opening. I considered having that expanding foam insulation
applied to the whole attic on the inside, understanding that
bats do not gnaw into places. the attic is not ventilated now, so
i figured before I would ever make the attic into livable space,
the roof would need to be redone and more insulation added
to the outside and a venting space added before applying the
sheeting and new roof. any suggestions?
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From a guy who has been bitten by a bat and went through the shots...A bat can fit through a 1/2 diameter hole and once they think that is there home they will always come back. So, I would seal all areas with foam; however; make sure the bats are out otherwise you will seal them in! I would wait until November 1st just to be safe. Good luck.