Bats usually leave their roots about ½ hour before sunset and return about ½ hour before sunrise. They fly continuously, consuming insects near areas of high insect activity – usually some source of water. Bats tend to roost near these food sources in the construction gaps, attics and upper areas of buildings.

Most bats hibernate over the winter in caves, hollow trees, drainage pipes, rock crevices and heated buildings from about November to March depending on the weather. In the spring they return to structures during the first warm days of spring to have their babies. These are called nursery or maternity colonies. In the fall their numbers increase. The babies are born during June – July and are breast fed until they’re able to fly (3-7 weeks). In the fall when temperatures fall (September – November) they leave the Piedmont and fly back to their overwinter sites in the foothills or mountains of western North Carolina.