When I was 17 or so I was spelunking in a cave with several of my friends. We lived in SW Missouri and tried to go "caving" every chance we could. This time we were pretty deep into this cave we had never been in before when we disturbed some bats. When I say some I mean thousands. We were aware enough to just lay as low as we could so they could fly over us and it took several minutes. I don't remember being scared but it was pretty amazing. Has anyone else had a close encounter with bats like that?

I wonder, if we pooled our brain power we could launch an information campaign and ask game devs not to feature bats in this way. Bats don't need the bum rep.

I hung a bat house a few weeks ago. I also used attractant spray. How long does it take for the bats to find a box? Just curious.

I did research to pick the best box for our area and where to hang it. Our neighbor had bats in the chimney so I know they are nearby! We are also 3 blocks from a river & small wooded area.

Hi,

We just moved into a new house (well, new to us) and noticed some bat droppings in the corners of our covered patio area by our front door. I have been looking out there at night from our windows, and have seen 2-3 bats hanging out in the corners of our covered patio. There was also one that didn't leave during the day and was just chilling up there all day (he left today). I have been trying to figure out what I can do to humanely remove the bats from this area. We don't have any big trees or anything I can hang a bat box on. I can't use my front door or front patio area because of this. They have been there the entire month we have lived in the house. I am concerned if there are 3 there now, then there may be more later. I want to get it under control while it still isn't crazy bad.

I don't want to harm the bats in any way shape or form, but I don't want them roosting right by my front door of my house. I've read their guano can carry a lot of diseases, and I have a 3 year old daughter and I can't stand the thought of possibly having a rabid bat right by my front door and putting her or any of us in danger. I know bats have a very small chance to have rabies, but it is still not a chance I really want to take.

Any advice on what I can do? We had someone come out and give us an estimate and it was $1700 to put a bio-repellent capsaicin product along the tops where they are roosting and to clean and sanitize the area. That seems like a lot to me.

I have OCD and bad anxiety, and this is a trigger to me. I just want the bats to move somewhere else where they won't bother me and I won't bother them. I feel like I can't use my front porch or go out the front door now.

I think I may be going batty! :-P

Thanks!

We are all aware of the bumblebee bat and know how much is weighs 2g. So being the curious mind that I am I weighed a bat. 0.50g so the bumblebee bat weighs the same as four Lego bats, part number 30103 if you’re interested and I suppose a 1000g bat would as much as a bag of sugar.

I noticed this little guy in the corner of my walkway by my front door. At first I thought he might be injured but the animal rescue near me was closed for the day so I figured I’d call in the morning. Well I checked closer to dusk and he was gone! I guess he flew away. Is it normal for them to choose a sleeping spot like that? Also curious what kind of bat and why he looks wet? I live in florida and it didn’t rain today but just curious if it’s something they do to keep themselves cooled off.

Edited the original to have a gloved photo, remember that it's important to use proper protection and gloves when helping our friends! For their safety AND ours! 🖤

Today is international bat appreciation day. So: let's look at some bats!

rufous mouse-eared bat

parti coloured bat

bechtein's bat

All photos taken from loveisinthebat.tumblr.com

I found this bat outside work on a wall, it's around 4:45pm and around 79degrees outside in El paso texas, there was also a sand storm today so I was worried it might be disoriented..

I saw a bat once in 1976