There is still a bat in my apartment!!!

[LynneSin]

I ended up moving the cats, their food & litter box to my bedroom and shutting the door. But I still have to deal with the fact that there is a bat somewhere hiding in my apartment :cry:

I figured the best way to find the bat is to just let my cats loose in the apartment. Had I not distracted Evita last night she would have killed the thing and the problem would have been solved. Maybe she'll have a present for me last night.

For those who didn't see my late night post - my cat Evita found and pounced on a bat. She actually had it in her mouth, but my screams startled her and the bat got lose (and was flying around - so hopefully that means he doesn't have rabies).

I know Bats are our friends, killing mosquitos and other nasty bugs, but I really don't want this critter in my house - so if the cats can kill it, so be it. It'll serve the bat right for creeping into my place. Maybe his batfriends will realize that their buddy went into a building and never came back and that'll be a warning to them to not do the same thing.

[Spinzonner]

1. She had it in YOUR mouth ?

That's kind of freaky. Does she feed you often or is it restricted to flying rodents ?

[LynneSin]

2. Typo corrected

Thank goodness I hadn't put my eye makeup on yet or it would have been streaking down my face from the tears of laughter!

[Spinzonner]

4. Too bad

Might have scared the bat away.

Or lured it. Dracula was heavy on the mascara.

[ze_dscherman]

3. I don't know how it is in the U.S.

... but in Germany all bats are protected species. They are very astonishing animals and deserve to be spared!

However, if you want to get rid of them, I advise you to open your windows at the beginning of twilight. That's the time bats go out for hunting - so your visitor will hopefully get out of your "cave". Close the windows when it's getting darker.

[LynneSin]

5. The only problem is I don't want my cats going out the window

And I don't care if it's a protected species - it's not my fault the damn thing is in my apartment. I'm sure there are hundreds of other bats flying around Wilmington DE that will take his place

[Spinzonner]

10. Careful now

your apartment might be deemed a wildlife refuge and you wont be allowed to dislodge it.

[LynneSin]

11. PETA can protest my ass for all I care

the bat is going down

[ze_dscherman]

13. Try to keep only a small hole open, then

Their sonar is astonishing, and it may slip out then. Remember, bats can navigate in caves and use only the smallest of fissures to fly through.

I didn't think of the difference in windows design to Germany - we usually have hinged windows one may choose to open wide on the side (bad with cats) or just a small gap on the top (good with cats).

Good luck with the critter!

[Spinzonner]

7. If you're lucky there'll be a cicada infestation nearby

to lure it away.

[matcom]

6. the answer seems obvious to me

get yourself a ball.....

grab a friend....

batting practice would be the natural next step

:)

[LynneSin]

9. You had to come back

I have this in my apartment:


Not this:

[Nihil]

20. Ok, so now you've done the hard part ...

... open the window and drop the bat out ... oh, that wasn't *your* bat?

Maybe one of your little feline friends brought it back as a present?

("Hey mum, look at this! A mouse with wings! Cool!!")

[hyphenate]

8. I had a bat last year

It was very easy to get rid of. The cats watched it as it circled the kitchen light for awhile, then I got it into the back room, closed the door and opened the window. The bat was gone the next morning. I talked with a specialist and he said that it was probably a juvenile who just got lost. As you said, bats are good, and this one really didn't give us much trouble. If you can corral it into a room by itself, do the same as I did, and it should be gone when you look next time. Overnight should do it.

[GOPisEvil]

12. Uhhh...do you not have apartment maintenance people?

This is one of the joys of apartment living. You can call people to fix this sort of issue. My thought it: how did the bat get in? :shrug:

[LynneSin]

14. Yes, but they are not 24 hours

and how are they going to find the bat right now?

And I have no idea - for all I know that bat could have been cuddling with you when you stayed at my place for a few days

[GOPisEvil]

16. Heh...

...I thought you were just getting fresh. Guess not. :-(:P

[Spinzonner]

15. Obviously her apartment is a bat at

Or is that a habibat.

[DarkPhenyx]

17. Contact animal control.

The county will fix the problem for you.

[matcom]

18. ok. HERE is your solution!

1 clove garlic
2 shallots
1 tbl olive oil
bread crumbs, flour, egg (for dredging)

in large saute pan, heat oil, shallot and garlic.

lightly dredge 1 bat in flour/bread crumb/egg mixture

sear bat on all sides. in a 400 degree oven, place pan holding bat. cook for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

serving suggestion:

goes nicely with a side of domestic cat sweet-breads. serve with chardonnay or pinot grigio

[izzie]

19. Just open a window and they will fly right out.

No need to kill it or a net. They are not like a bird that hits the window. They know a open window and out they go. I have had lots of bats in house in the country.

[LynneSin]

21. But what if he asks some of his batbuddies to join him

I mean - open window DUH - more will fly in

:cry:

[Champion Jack]

23. I've had 3 bats inside since I moved out here to the boonies

I just throw an old sheet on 'em ,gather it up and toss the sheet, bat and all, outside.

[Loonman]

22. Charge it rent

Utilities, too.

[Beware the Beast Man]

24. Here's a solution that may work for you- I hope.

When I lived at home, bats were a huge problem. After many years I finally perfected a way to safely transport unwanted bat houseguests. I hope this works for you.

1. Turn on all the lights- this may not be relevant, since it is now daytime, and the bat should be sleeping.

2. Grab a wastebasket (preferably a deep one)and either an LP record or a flat piece of cardboard.

3. If the bat is perched on a wall, cup it with the wastebasket. Keep the flat cardboard or LP at hand.

4. Move the Basket so it wakes the bat. Keep it flat against the wall. This should wake the little guy.

5. Once you feel the bat moving inside the basket, cover it with the LP. He won't be flying around at all, since he's a bit disoriented.

6. Carry it outside and dump it.


Remember, bats are resilient little buggers. They dont panic indoors like birds do. They'll hang out for days if they want.
Hope this works for you!

[DinahMoeHum]

25. Bwahaha!!!, Evita probably thought it was a flying mouse !!

Years ago, a bat accidentally came into my family's house, and our cat was all a-goggling, swishing his tail and furiously jumping into the air after it. We managed to swish the bat back out into the dark of night with a broom.

:evilgrin:

[underpants]

26. Robb?

Or did I misread that?

[jpgray]

27. When I worked as a lens-grinder for an optomtetrist's office

We had bats all the time, due to an open, airy roof in the strip mall. Every once in a while, one bat or two would come down and fly haphazardly around. The best way to get them is with an open cardboard box, and catch them with a big, quick sweeping arc as they fly over your head. Then quickly cover it and get them outside. And if it's in your apartment, call management and bitch. :D

[THUNDER HANDS]

28. start playing some loud music

the music will distract and disorient the bat and cause it to start flying around looking for a way out.

Then grab a pillowcase or bed sheet and try to catch the bat.

Or call animal control.

:)

Or the Joker.