Bright Lights as DeterrentsIf you want to implement a practice to deter bats, putting up bright lights probably won’t do the trick. It seems reasonable, as bats will avoid bright lights, but it often exacerbates the problem. Imagine for a moment you put up some bright floodlights around your home. The bats living inside your attic will see that light and move deeper into your home. They might make their way into your walls and other crevices that will be difficult to get them out of when you finally call the professionals to help. The floodlights might keep the bats from flying around your home, but those wild animals may not have a problem sneaking back into the attic after they’ve had their fill for the night. Lights also attract bugs, which are what bats feed on during the night, so they may brave the light momentarily to get a good meal.
Other Problems With LightsYou can see how using bright lights as a deterrent for bats won’t be very effective, but there are some other problems with putting up lights that you should be aware of:
- When you put up bright lights, it will actually attract other animals that like it to help them find food. Raccoons, for example, will enjoy having a bit of extra light as they’re digging through your trash for a midnight snack.
- Keeping bright lights on all night long is going to start costing quite a bit of money. Over time, your energy bills could get so high it’s not worth it anymore.
- Depending on where you live, those bright lights could pose a problem for your neighbours. If they shine through your neighbours’ windows at night, you might get some complaints.