Problem with bats??

[yooper81]

Bats roosting in our awning.
Just got back from 3 hot days at a state park, and in our pop-up
we have no A/C, so all flaps down for best ventilation.
All night bats were constantly flying around and through the awning
and hitting the screening on our PU.
Next day found bat perched up in awning bag corner, brushed him away.
Then found another.
When packing awning there was another bat tucked under awning, much
bat guano all over.
My only concern was with 3 kids and door opening alot, one gets in and its chaos!
Never had any bat issues in 3 years with camper until now.
Anyone else have this happen? How to prevent it?
Wife not fond of bats .

DTB in MI
3 Kids
2004 Jayco Qwest
1999 GMC Suburban

[TheViking]

Are these wood or aluminum bats? Aluminum bats can do some serious damage!
 
 
 
 
Sorry, could stop myself.

[pershingd]

I've never had any problem with bats similar to what you described. Aside from the mess and annoyance, I doubt that there would be any health issues related to the bats unless you are bitten. I have heard about bats carrying rabies - here's a link to the CDC concerning bats and rabies.

I suspect that something (humans?) has disturbed their normal nesting place and the ones that sought refuge in your awning bag were just trying to find a dark place to sleep the day away.

Just my .02.

David

[Starcraft Dad]

Yooper 81, I was just curious.  Being "Yooper" you must be from the U.P.  Were you camping at Mclain S.P?  We camped there (wonderful S.P...btw) and never had an issue of bats.  Although I have been told that they can be a nuisance there by flying around your head, the campfire and around the campers.

[AustinBoston]

Did you leave lights on that attracted flying bugs?  Bats eat flying bugs.  Things that attract flying bugs attract bats.

The situation you describe would cause us immeasurable problems.  PJay has a bat phobia (she is getting better), but that kind of experience would become an obstacle she would have to overcome for several trips, and would be something she would think about at least once on every trip for years.

Austin

[yooper81]

Yooper 81, I was just curious.  Being "Yooper" you must be from the U.P.  Were you camping at Mclain S.P?  We camped there (wonderful S.P...btw) and never had an issue of bats.  Although I have been told that they can be a nuisance there by flying around your head, the campfire and around the campers.

Yes, Yooper born & raised.
We have been to McLain SP, but never have camped there yet.
Agree, it is a very nice place.
We happened to be at Wells SP. Wonderful place, nice sites, etc.
Haven't had that type of experience before w/bats though.

DTB

[yooper81]

Did you leave lights on that attracted flying bugs?  Bats eat flying bugs.  Things that attract flying bugs attract bats.

The situation you describe would cause us immeasurable problems.  PJay has a bat phobia (she is getting better), but that kind of experience would become an obstacle she would have to overcome for several trips, and would be something she would think about at least once on every trip for years.

Austin

Did not have lights on, we do not usually leave our canopy lights on
during night. There were several small bugs and flys in abundance
around our site though and that may have been a big reason for the bats. Just thought it was strange, wondered if anyone else had similar
experience. I also did some research on bats when we returned.

DTB

[yooper81]

Are these wood or aluminum bats? Aluminum bats can do some serious damage!
 
 
 
 
Sorry, could stop myself.

Thanks Vike, being a huge baseball fan I can appreciate your reply!
These happened to be little brown bats of the mammalian type.

DTB

[beacher]

.....
My only concern was with 3 kids and door opening alot, one gets in and its chaos!
....

Never had a problem while camping.


But when I was 10 years old with my mom driving through the 100 degree desert at 1:00a.m. to pick up my brother in law at the navy base at Twenty Nine Palms in her VW Squareback with the windows rolled down.  You want to know about chaos?? :yikes:  A bat flew into the car and scared the heck out of my sister and I!  We almost jumped out of the fast moving car, (not easy to do when you're sitting in the back seat) :eyecrazy: !

My mom took it in stride, calmly pulled over, opened her door and stepped out.  The bat was gone as fast as it came in.

[Kelly]

My mom took it in stride, calmly pulled over, opened her door and stepped out.  The bat was gone as fast as it came in.

Yea ~ us moms are like that.  

[HersheyGirl]

I like bats...we have 2 bat houses in the back yard.  Please don't harm the little creatures.

[GeneF]

Ii had to laugh when I saw this post because we also had a bat episode but it was in Nova Scotia.

Didn't notice them until I started packing up and three of them were between the roof and the back bunk canvas.  Not of a problem getting rid of those.

However, as I was lowering the roof, I kept on hearing a sqeeking sound and a bat flew out of the c-channel that surrounds the lifter cable.  I think we got about five or 6 more out of the c-channel by lowering and raising the roof.

It was an experience that we do not want to repeat.

We were afraid that maybe we had missed one and that it would start squeeking as we went through customs and would end up in jail for transporting animals across the border.

[dthurk]

When I read the subject of this thread, my first thoughts were of the Kansas City Royals or the Pittsburgh Pirates.

[tlhdoc]

Haven't had a bat problem, but friends of mine has a wasp nest built in the corner of the PU's roof on our last trip.