Ask Extension Database, NDSU Extension Service Ask Extension for answers to commonly asked questions. They are usually considered beneficial because of their night-time feeding habit of eating insects. Large bat populations are often associated with mature stands of trees, especially cottonwood. These large trees serve as shaded, darkened hiding places during the inactive day-time period. Bats are also found in secluded areas removed from human activity such as vacant buildings and house attics.
Bats are warm blooded mammals capable of contracting and spreading rabies.
Bats can be prevented from entering buildings by conducting an enclosure maintenance effort. Bats normally enter a building through a small crack or the corner of a gable. Unused chimneys also serve as a hiding place. The entrance exit locations can be discovered by observing the area about twilight time. It works well to use a flashlight.