Submitted by Gregg Nelson of Big Bear Wildlife Control LLC

When you find a bat in your house and you haven't been asleep, simply open a window and take a broom or net and get it to fly out of the window. If you were asleep you need to catch it, kill it and have it tested for rabies in concern for your health.

Once you have taken care of it, now you need to figure out how it got in. It could be as simple as an open door or window. But if none were opened, then a search for its droppings will be needed. Look for small black droppings similar in size of those from a mouse. Bat dropping have a sparkle and are very dry. They go to the bathroom when they hang or land in the same place.

This should give you a good place to start looking for a hole. A bat only needs a space as big as a pencil, so it may just be a crack between wood. Fill this up with spray foam or other material to your liking. Look in your attic as well as outside next to the foundation. If you find them outside, look up to see if you notice a space that they might use. It could be a gap in the soffit or fascia board. Flashing around a chimney is also a favorite place.

When you find a hole outside, you need to set up a one-way entrance. This can be done with bat cones or simple hanging bug screen over the hole so it hangs down two feet. Close off the top and sides with duct tape. They will fly in, crawl down to the bottom and fly out. They won't be able to figure out how to re-enter. Keep in place for three to four days, and don't do it until mid-August, as their young will now be old enough to fly.

If all this is too much, just call a pro to do the work for you.

Big Bear Wildlife Control is located in East Haven, Conn. As of Aug. 5, 2011, this service provider was highly rated on Angie’s List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check AngiesList.com for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie’s List.