I started on my first bat job yesterday. All of my knowledge on bat work came over the phone or reading the archives here. I would appreciate it if you folks would critique my work.

I will start with my original inspection photos. You will notice somebody else attempted to stop them before.

Ok you found some spots...what it is you want graded on ?

This screening isn't your final work is it ???

The rest is my work.

No, that wasn't me at all. Those were attempts by the previous homeowner who "doesn't know of any bat problem"

Now that I look at them, I am not very impressed with these photos. They were taken during the work and don't really show my finished work. I will get better pics when I go back to finish it.

Lol I see that all the time where someone buys
A house and the previous owner didn't know they
Had bats but theres 2 inches of fresh blown in cellulose
Over 6 inches of guana! Or the is foam sealant everywhere
On the inside of the attic around the chimney and gable
Vents!
Looks good for your first bat job, just make sure
EVERYTHING is sealed up!

I was told to seal anything a pen could fit through. The homeowners are quite happy just with the wasps I have killed and sealed out.

The bats will test your skill grasshopper...

Use solid blocks when you use the tube excluders; except for small, inconsequential gaps (< 1/8"), the only air going in or out should be thru the excluders. This is how bats find the way out.

I always figured it was habbit...over air currents. Otherwise they would be plastered to the inside of soffit vents screaming "let me out!".

OK, second half. Following the advice above I went back and flush mounted the excluders. In the process I located and put valves in a few new locations. I managed to leave my camera at home that day. But they were all flush mounted plastic tubes sealed in to the best of my ability.

I went back yesterday and finished the job. The bigger gaps were filled with foam, then covered by metal lathe. After that I glazed it with either caulking or paint.
All gaps I found were sealed.
If I am doing something dumb tell me.
Without order here are my repairs. I was also trying to reduce some wasp problems they were having.

Not overly pleased with my paint job. But it really isn't visible from the ground anyway.





Yes I was harnessed in

That screen is screwed down. Just hard to see because of the paint.

John experience is the best teacher. I am sure you learned a a lot.

Is the customer happy with your work?

The important question is if they end up with bats next year how are you going to address it.

Call backs can be a real pain even expensive but there is no better way to learn then see your own work with a fresh pair of eyes next bat season.

I will warranty this work for two years. Especially since it is most likely my fault if they get back in.

This was what she wrote with some photos she sent me after I was done. She seemed to think it was scary that I was on top of the garage LOL.

"These were from my cell-phone, so they are not of the best quality, but enough to scare anyone's mother. You are our rock-star, John. Thank you for everything you have done for us. Please know if you'd like references or a website accolade...we'd be happy to write one...honored even!



All our appreciation,"