Bat House Forum

[Cyndy]

I hope some kind soul will answer my question for me!

A bat landed above my front door (we have a covered entry) one week ago today.  We left it alone, assuming it would leave that night to feed.  As of this writing, it is still there and has not left to feed.  It is still alive (it moved today when my husband was blowing down dead bugs and it felt the force of the blower).

We are wondering if we should leave it indefinitely or might there be something wrong with it?  Do they hibernate and if so, could it possibly have chosen our entryway to do so?  Should we try to dislodge it in the hopes it will leave?  Could it possibly be sick and if we try to move it, could it be dangerous to it (or us?!).

Any advice is greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance.

[Terry Lobdell]

I've moved bats to trees before, just to get them off the ground. But it was in the summer when they got overheated in my bat houses and either fell or flew out and landed on the ground........after awhile they seemed to perk up.........I've never heard of one like your describing......Are you sure it's not leaving at night and returning each morning? I've had big browns in my bat houses as late as Nov. 16.

 

[Joe Spencer]

It is possible the bat is in a stopover to hibernation although if it is a Big Brown, these bats do not travel as far as little browns travel to hibernacula.  Cyndy it could be the "young of the year" or disoriented as well.  The bat could indeed be just fine.  Is it still there as of this writing? If you disclose what State or Country your in maybe we can help further.