Discovering a colony of bats in your attic or walls can be an unsettling experience. Your first instinct might be to find the quickest way to get them out, perhaps by searching for do-it-yourself solutions online. While the impulse to act fast is understandable, bat removal is a complex and potentially hazardous task that is almost always best left to professionals.
This isn’t just about dealing with a nuisance animal. It’s about navigating health risks, legal protections, and the unique biology of bats themselves. Attempting to remove bats without the proper knowledge and equipment can lead to bigger problems, including potential exposure to diseases, structural damage to your home, and even legal trouble. Before you try to tackle a bat problem on your own, it’s crucial to understand why professional intervention is not just a recommendation, but a necessity for a safe and effective solution.
The Hidden Dangers of a Bat Infestation
At a glance, bats might seem like harmless, shy creatures. While they play a vital role in our ecosystem by controlling insect populations, their presence inside a human dwelling poses significant risks. The primary concern is not from the bats themselves—who are generally not aggressive—but from the environment they create.
Health Risks: Rabies and Histoplasmosis
The most well-known health risk associated with bats is rabies. Although the percentage of rabid bats is very small (less than 1%), the disease is fatal in humans if not treated immediately after exposure. A bite from a rabid bat can be so small that it goes unnoticed, especially if it happens while you are asleep. Any direct contact with a bat warrants immediate medical consultation.
A more common, yet lesser-known, risk is histoplasmosis. This respiratory infection is caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum, which grows in soil and material contaminated with large amounts of bird or bat droppings (guano). When guano accumulates in an enclosed space like an attic, the fungal spores can become airborne if disturbed. Cleaning up guano without proper respiratory protection can lead to a serious lung infection with symptoms ranging from mild flu-like illness to severe, life-threatening conditions, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems.
Structural Damage and Unsanitary Conditions
Beyond health concerns, a bat colony can cause significant physical damage to your property. Guano and urine can accumulate quickly, saturating insulation, staining ceilings and walls, and creating a strong, unpleasant odor that is difficult to remove. The weight of heavy guano deposits can even cause ceilings to sag. Furthermore, the oils and droppings left behind can attract other pests, such as cockroaches and mites, leading to a secondary infestation.
Why DIY Bat Removal Often Fails (and Makes Things Worse)
Armed with information from the internet, a homeowner might feel equipped to handle a bat problem. However, these attempts often fail for several reasons and can exacerbate the situation.
The Problem with Trapping and Sealing
A common DIY approach is to try and seal entry points while the bats are out foraging at night. This strategy is fraught with problems. It’s nearly impossible for an untrained eye to identify every single entry point; bats can squeeze through gaps as small as 3/8 of an inch. If even one entry point is missed, the bats will simply use it to get back in.
Worse yet, if you seal the main exit while some bats are still inside, you trap them. A trapped bat will panic and desperately search for another way out, which could lead it into your living spaces. Trapping and killing bats is not only inhumane but also illegal in many areas.
The Maternity Season Complication
One of the most critical factors in bat removal is timing. Most bat species are protected by state and federal laws, especially during their maternity season, which typically runs from late spring through summer. During this period, female bats gather in colonies to give birth and raise their young. The pups, unable to fly for their first few weeks, are entirely dependent on their mothers.
Attempting a bat removal during this time is not only illegal but also incredibly cruel. If adult bats are excluded, the flightless pups are left behind to starve and die. This creates a terrible odor and a significant biohazard inside your walls or attic. Professional wildlife control operators are knowledgeable about these legal restrictions and will only perform exclusions when it is safe and legal to do so, ensuring no young are left behind.
The Professional Approach: Humane and Effective Bat Exclusion
So, what does a professional do differently? A licensed and experienced wildlife control company follows a systematic, humane, and effective process known as “bat exclusion.”
Step 1: Comprehensive Inspection
The process begins with a thorough inspection of your entire property. A professional will identify all potential and active entry points, assess the size of the colony, and determine the species of bat involved. This detailed assessment is the foundation of a successful exclusion plan. They will also check for signs of a maternity colony to ensure the removal is timed correctly.
Step 2: Strategic Exclusion
Instead of trapping, professionals use one-way exclusion devices. These devices are installed over the primary entry and exit points. They allow bats to leave the structure to forage for food but prevent them from re-entering. This method is the most humane and effective way to remove a bat colony, as it allows the bats to relocate themselves naturally without harm. The process can take several days to a week to ensure all bats have left the building.
Step 3: Sealing and Securing the Structure
Once all the bats have been successfully excluded, the professionals will remove the one-way doors. Then comes the crucial step of sealing every potential entry point on the building. This “bat-proofing” is essential to prevent future infestations. They use high-quality materials like sealant, copper mesh, and hardware cloth to ensure a permanent solution.
Step 4: Remediation and Cleanup
The final step is to address the mess left behind. Professional teams have the training and specialized equipment (including HAZMAT suits and respirators) to safely remove guano and contaminated insulation. They will then clean, disinfect, and deodorize the area to eliminate health risks and lingering odors. This step is critical for restoring your home to a safe and sanitary condition.
Your Next Steps
Bat Removal gives you the assurance that your home will be protected with safe, humane, and legally compliant methods that address both the immediate issue and long-term prevention. While the desire to resolve a pest problem quickly is natural, the complexities and risks associated with bats make professional removal the only responsible choice. By hiring experts, you protect your health, your home, and the bats themselves. A professional service provides peace of mind, knowing that the job is done correctly, humanely, and legally, with a long-term solution that prevents the bats from returning.
If you suspect you have bats in your home, don’t wait for the problem to grow. Contact a qualified wildlife control company for an inspection. Investing in professional bat removal is an investment in the safety and integrity of your home.
