No, you shouldn’t have to worry about bats in your yard as long as they don’t make their way inside your house. Typically, bats hang around backyards in order to consume bugs, especially if they’re located in the U.S. Bats that are native to North America can consume more than 500 bugs per hour, so they may actually benefit your yard if mosquitoes are prevalent.

Woodpeckers usually feed on homes when there is a food source present, and termites are one possible source. However, the presence of woodpeckers doesn’t necessarily mean there are termites. They may also be feeding on more harmless insects like ants or spiders. If woodpeckers seem drawn to one particular part of your home’s siding, it might be worth hiring a termite inspector to check for the presence of these pesky critters.

When it comes to keeping birds from doing their business on your porch rails, you have several DIY options and home remedies you can try: 

• Tie a fishing line from one end of the deck post to the other. Birds won’t be able to see the line across the railing, so they can’t land on it.  

• Hang wind chimes close by, which may scare birds away. 

• Apply a bird gel repellent to the railings, which contains smells that birds generally don’t like. Or, similarly, you can apply citronella or lemon oil around the railings, since birds don’t like strong smells.

This depends on if their needs are being met. They'll likely return night after night if they have access to food, water, and adequate shelter. If this changes, they’ll look for another roosting spot. This is why bright lights and other dissuading factors often work when removing bats from a property.