Hanging Around: Where Do Bats Live & Sleep?
Take a Look at Bat Habitats in the U.S., Including When Bats Sleep & Where They Go During Winter
We see them come out as the sun goes down, flying around in search of insects to eat and typically provoking fear into any nearby humans who see them. But where exactly do bats live? And where do they sleep? Do bats hibernate?
The habitat of a bat can vary depending on the species and native region, but some bats’ preferred resting spots should surprise you.
The most commonly found bat species throughout New England is the little and big brown bat. These types of bats thrive in heavily forested regions; however, they are still prevalent in cities such as Bridgeport and Boston, which provide an ample supply of secluded structures used for roosting, or the act of settling for rest or sleep.
Buildings, trees, rocks, cliffs, and woodpiles are all suitable habitats for bats. During the daytime, these bats common to New England prefer to roost in dark, cool spots. Although, with the increase in urban life, these bats have adapted and are known to roost in man-made structures like barns, house attics, tunnels, and bridges.
Able to sense air currents and temperature change, bats can also slip through the smallest of spaces. Provided with an opportunity, a bat will easily (and gladly) enter your home, barn, or shed to set up a roost or nursery colony.
As summer ends and the weather gets cooler, a lot of people wonder where bats go during the winter. Most bats hibernate in deep caves and tunnels, which are common in New England. With their main food source of insects not able to live during the winter, bats save their energy by hibernating in these deep caves until the food sources (and the warmer weather) return.
Even though many bats hibernate in caves, it is now becoming more common that bats will make their way into your home and other manmade structures for the winter. Temperatures above 45 degrees are suitable for hibernating bats, making attics, basements, and other living spaces attractive spots for bats seeking a place to hibernate.
There are a few factors that may cause a bat to make its way into your living area:
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Sudden warm temperatures during the winter may fool a bat into thinking it’s spring, causing it to come out of hibernation prematurely.
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Some bats will wake briefly to search for a drink of water, causing sporadic incidents of bats in homes during the winter.
If you suspect there are bats in your home, garage, barn, or shed, contact us to schedule your free inspection. Our bat exclusion services will safely and effectively remove the bats while preventing future bats from making their way inside your home. To learn more about bats, visit our pest library.