Bats
#4410839
04/01/14 08:15 PM
04/01/14 08:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Iowa
dspree
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
Iowa
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I have 3 or 4 bat jobs to do as soon as the weather gets decent enough to start. People are getting them inside their houses and wanting them out.
Member Iowa Trappers Association Minnesota trappers association F.T.A. D&D Nuisance Wildlife Control
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4414455
04/03/14 05:38 PM
04/03/14 05:38 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Iowa
dspree
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
Iowa
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One of the houses is a large log house that is going to take some extensive interior sealing that the homeowner isn't willing to pay for. This house is one that I had worked on last fall that I probably should have passed on. The roof has steel shingles on it and the ridge cap is coming loose in places. The homeowner had tried to contact the company that installed the roof to have them do the repairs as warranty work, but hasn't had any luck. The other houses haven't had them in the living space only in the walls.
Member Iowa Trappers Association Minnesota trappers association F.T.A. D&D Nuisance Wildlife Control
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4414481
04/03/14 05:55 PM
04/03/14 05:55 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
NM
HD_Wildlife
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
NM
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Thanks for the update dspree, understandable about the log cabin situation. I've got numerous clients who have either gone after their roofer or sider or stucco company due to faulty issues leading to bat problems. Sometimes it is tough to pass, I know being only a few years in I've eaten my profits more than a few times to make it right, but ultimately have a happy client and I learn. Numerous folks I've talked to and some on here have very particular policies about log houses!  Justin
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4414789
04/03/14 08:51 PM
04/03/14 08:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Mt. Olive, IL
Ron Scheller
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Mt. Olive, IL
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And.... in many cases the roofers did nothing wrong. Their installation is "normal" and it doesn't leak. Roofers are not concerned with bats, and in reality they shouldn't be. As much as we like to point out the numerous problems they create, in a way we should be glad they aren't bat experts, as we would be looking for work! I've had churches and homeowners INSIST the roofers come back to "solve" the bat problem, and they almost always fail miserably.
Ron Scheller
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4415555
04/04/14 10:31 AM
04/04/14 10:31 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
OH
Eric Arnold
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
OH
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Standard construction practices allow entry, plain and simple. Bad workmanship or faulty materials are different than standard practices and this is where clients and prospects get confused. To them, it's one and the same so they want to try and enforce a "warranty" from the roofer to "save money" who is going to "try" and fix the problem with caulk, tar, and foam shot in places they think the bats or animals are using just to get the client off their backs.
This is akin to asking the hygienist to fix the filling the dentist did. Even though they both work on your teeth, everyone knows that the hygienist (with one exception) is not qualified to do that type of service. As an industry, we need to take opportunities like this to educate individuals with wildlife conflicts without putting down the other trades.
When I have an issue like this, I have no problem educating the client about why it is a bad idea to try and have the "handyman/roofer/siding guy/gutter guy/painter/neighbor/etc.) resolve the problem. If I see an actual problem (metal roofing needs replaced, chimney needs torn down and rebuilt, sheathing needs addressed, etc.) I will point it out and generally recommend that it be addressed by the proper trade but if it is something small (3 joints in need of tuck pointing, 5 slates to be replaced, etc.) and I have the skill/knowledge to do the work I include it in my quote. Ultimately, the choice is theirs but rarely do they pass on my services once they understand the difference between wildlife control work and major construction jobs along with the added project costs by having someone else attempt to address the problem.
Eric Arnold Publishing Editor W.C.T. Magazine Editor The Fur Taker Magazine
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4415647
04/04/14 11:21 AM
04/04/14 11:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
OH
Eric Arnold
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
OH
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Justin,
Good point. Just to add to it, contractor licenses may be state wide, county wide, municipality specific, or a combination of different licenses for different locations and activities.
Eric Arnold Publishing Editor W.C.T. Magazine Editor The Fur Taker Magazine
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4415718
04/04/14 11:51 AM
04/04/14 11:51 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
massachusetts
swampdonkey
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2010
massachusetts
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I have never taken a log house bat job....just because looking at them, makes me believe there might be a lot of return trips.....as with a slate roof bat job..i will just steer clear of. Just my feelings as I pretty much do bat jobs alone...
Joe Robidoux
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4415766
04/04/14 12:21 PM
04/04/14 12:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
NWWA/AZ
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I have never taken a log house bat job. Most of mine bat jobs are on log home. Swedish cope are the ones you never can be quite sure about I usually research the builder...... I always pull the window and door moldings,,,this is a easy up sale because most home ownwer will tell you that they can feel a draft in these places.. The upside is often the upper level is conventional frame on most homes
Ant Man/ Marty 2028 just put your ear to the ground , and follow along
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4415855
04/04/14 01:17 PM
04/04/14 01:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
NM
HD_Wildlife
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
NM
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Vinke, Speaking of moldings I've seen some of the lowest height bats in these locations. Low first story windows about 4 feet above grade in the back of those hollowed out logs that many of the cabin types I see use. Bats seem to love these! Second story even better, of course so do the hornets and wasps.... On another note, how many folks see the same thing related to that air flow issue? I've pointed out to countless homeowners how much their building is leaking its heat source due to all kinds of gaps that bats exploit, so energy efficiency and bat exclusion can be a nice hand in hand! 
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4416102
04/04/14 04:19 PM
04/04/14 04:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
mequon, wisconsin
Paul Winkelmann
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2008
mequon, wisconsin
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I think that I might actually have a cure for those idiots who actually think that a log home is wonderful.
You should all be raised in one, like I was. Only my log home was one of those 1800's originals. Okay, you do learn how to shoot!
I would be lying in bed and hear this little noise. ( I had added an extension to the light in the middle of the room. )
"Pull the cord and fire." You could actually see me growing up by looking at the holes in the baseboard. BB, .22, and shotshell!
It was a great lesson. Our house = concrete, brick, steel, and no stupid wood burning fireplace. Learned from experience!
My kids and especially the Mrs., can still shoot very well. Just not in self-defense like I was taught.
Last edited by Paul Winkelmann; 04/04/14 04:20 PM.
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4416259
04/04/14 05:49 PM
04/04/14 05:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
NWWA/AZ
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Justin, i do not know it tax credits are still available currently, but in the past by using rated sealants customers were able to offset the cost of exclusion
Ant Man/ Marty 2028 just put your ear to the ground , and follow along
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Re: Bats
[Re: dspree]
#4417450
04/05/14 12:04 PM
04/05/14 12:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Iowa
dspree
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
Iowa
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I will agree log homes are in a league of their own when it comes to excluding bats. there are just so many places they can get into the house and every year it seams there ends up being more gaps between the logs from the house settling and the logs shrinking. As with the roof I am not saying anything bad about the installer, it seems to me there might be an issue with the ridge cap itself and I want to make sure that if I do any work to it that I don't void any warranty that there may be.
Member Iowa Trappers Association Minnesota trappers association F.T.A. D&D Nuisance Wildlife Control
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