Ever since I purchased the Chatette, I have had a bat visitor from time to time. I understand that they (quite a few theys) live in the 
dungeon of the Château. The first few years, I'd find one in the utility cave on and off. I'd keep the door open and eventually he'd leave. I've joked that Batman was living in my Bat Cave! I like our bats. I enjoy watching them waft around outside in the dark, and listening to the sound of their wings that is very different from the sound bird's wings make. I understand they're protected here. You can go to jail for harming them! I'd have never considered harming one, until just last year.
I have screens on the upstairs bedroom windows, so I don't worry about keeping them 
open at night while I'm sleeping. Sometimes a bat will sneak in through the open door when I let Dali out at night, but just one time and I became much more careful! Last July I had a bat visitor, but I couldn't figure out how he got in. That night I got him out, but the next night he returned with some of his friends! I got them out, but the following night it was a repeat performance. I consulted Christiane, who told me to turn all the lights on outside and open all the windows. (I was turning all the lights on inside and opening all the windows!) Jean suggested that I try to figure out where they could possibly be getting in. I started by covering up the chimney and some spots around the fireplace. They seemed to be hovering around the center window of the three windows that face the Lot. After one more night of hell and exploration, I found the problem. There were small openings above the center window where they were coming in and must have had a nest! The next day, armed with tape, garbage bags, other plastic and materials; I plugged up all the holes and solved my inside bat problem. What a relief!
But it's almost July again! Up early and sitting at the computer this morning, I noticed what looked like the swallows returning to Capistrano! We do have swallows here, so it wouldn't have been ridiculous! But, no! Upon closer inspection, my bats are back and hovering around their favorite window just before dawn! I've reinforced all points of entry with tape and plastic and will pick up some back-up supplies in Cahors tomorrow to be ready just in case! I don't mind if the Batmen Return, I'm just crossing my fingers that they stay outside!
Glad to know that they're not going to scare you off for September! I think we should be fine, but I'm getting my reinforcements just in case! I'm only willing to give up one night of sleep!
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | June 25, 2009 at 06:45 PM
When I lived in the mtns outside Boulder, CO, bats would fly in my open sliding doors in the evening. The problem: this was an A-frame house and they're swoop around 'way up there in the peak of the A! I like bats and wouldn't have minded if one stayed, but they drove my cats crazy! They would leap off the loft railing every time the bat swooped and dove. I was afraid I'd have massive cat trauma if they missed their landing. So, I spent many summer evenings with a broom, trying to coax my visitor back outside. I couldn't reach the peak of the ceiling, but I'd aggravate them enough that they would finally tire and land on the drapes or a wall where I could either capture them in a container or 'sweep' them out the door! I suppose I could have just kept the sliders closed, but part of the joy of living in the mtns. was the cool, piney mtn air that cooled my house off in the summer!
Posted by: Evelyn Jackson | June 25, 2009 at 05:59 PM