Bats have a sensitive sense of smell and dislike certain strong, pungent odors that irritate them, but like many adaptable wildlife, they can tolerate unpleasant smells if the roost is warm, safe, and undisturbed, so smell alone will not permanently keep them away. Smells bats are said to hate most include strong mint scents like peppermint oil and spearmint oil with intense menthol that overwhelms their olfactory senses, eucalyptus oil, cinnamon, and clove with strong aromatic compounds, ammonia with sharp chemical odor that mimics urine, and predator urine like fox or coyote urine that triggers fear. Some people use mothballs, but mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene which are toxic to humans, pets, and wildlife, are not effective long-term, and are illegal to use outdoors or in attics in many areas. While these smells may cause temporary avoidance of a small area if applied near entry points, bats quickly habituate if highly motivated by a warm attic that offers safety for raising pups, and will tolerate the smell to access the roost. Pest control experts and wildlife agencies do not recommend scent repellents as a primary control method because they have limited effectiveness and can be harmful. The most effective way to deter bats from inside is humane exclusion using one-way doors that let bats exit but not re-enter, followed by sealing all holes larger than a quarter inch with caulk and hardware cloth outside maternity season.
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