How Do Bats Get Into a House? — NJ Entry Points Explained
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Bat Removal & Exclusion in Passaic, NJ
Bats don’t need a big hole — some species can use gaps as small as 3/8 inch, which is why entry points go unnoticed on most NJ homes until there’s an active roost. Here’s exactly where to look and why bats choose those spots.
The Most Common Entry Points
Roof edges, soffits, fascia boards, attic and ridge vents, chimney flashing, siding transitions, and gaps where different building materials meet account for the large majority of bat entries we find in New Jersey homes. These spots share one thing in common: they’re usually high on the structure, narrow, and easy to miss from the ground.
Why These Specific Spots
Bats are looking for a dark, protected space that resembles a natural roost — a cave crevice or hollow tree. A gap at a roofline transition, a poorly screened vent, or a seam where an addition meets the original structure gives them exactly that, with the added benefit of being warmer and drier than a natural site. Older homes tend to develop these gaps at roofline transitions and original vent designs; newer construction can still develop them at additions and unfinished trim work.
Can Bats Get Into Walls or Through Vents?
Yes to both. Once a bat is inside the structure through an exterior gap, it can move into wall voids and other concealed spaces. Poorly screened, damaged, or inadequately protected attic and roof vents are also a common access point — which is why vents get checked during every professional inspection, not just the obvious roofline gaps.
Can Bats Come Down the Chimney?
Yes — an improperly capped or protected chimney is a common access point and gets checked whenever we’re determining how a bat got into a home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How small of a hole can a bat get through?
Some species can use openings roughly 3/8 inch wide, which is why inspections check small construction gaps, not just obvious holes.
Where do bats usually enter a house?
Roof edges, soffits, fascia, attic and ridge vents, chimney flashing, siding transitions, and gaps around roof penetrations.
Can bats get into walls?
Yes — after entering through an exterior opening, bats can sometimes move into wall voids and other concealed spaces.
Can bats get through attic vents?
They can use poorly screened, damaged, or inadequately protected vents, which is why vents are checked during inspection.
Why do bats come into homes in the first place?
They’re looking for a protected roosting location that resembles the sheltered spaces bats use naturally — attics and wall voids qualify.
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Have a bat question? Call Silver Bullet Pest Control at 973-510-2585 — we answer these every day across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic and Union County.