How Do I Get Rid of Bats in My Attic 

Bats can be a real challenge for homeowners. Not only can they make strange noises as they move about in your attic, but they also pose a risk of spreading rabies or histoplasmosis, an infection that spreads after contact with droppings. Still, these winged marvels play a critical role in the environment and are protected by law. 

Using humane bat exclusion methods is vital to ensure you don’t unintentionally break the law and end up with hefty fines. Explore how to deal with a bat infestation in the attic and when to contact professionals for help.

Introduction to Bat Infestations in Attics 

In Western Massachusetts and Upstate New York, bats are typically active from early spring through November. As they emerge from hibernation in March, April, and May, chilly nightly temperatures can send them seeking warm spots to rest. 

Why Bats Choose Attics as Roosting Sites 

Bats gravitate toward dark, quiet spots with ample protection from predators. Attics often provide plenty of shelter, along with minimal noise and human traffic, making them ideal spots for bats to infiltrate. If your attic houses other pests, such as insects, it makes it that much more appealing as a home with a combination of easy access to food and shelter. 

Importance of Humane Bat Removal and Exclusion 

Bats play a critical role in the ecosystem, and they save the United States agricultural industry billions of dollars every year. Often misunderstood, these flying mammals can each eat thousands of problematic insects every night, but more than half of the 145 or so species of bats are in danger. Climate change, fluctuations in food sources, and a fungal infection known as white nose syndrome has been killing bats in mass numbers throughout the U.S. since 2006. As a result, protections at the federal, state, and even local levels have been enacted to protect these vital animals. 

Identifying Signs of a Bat Infestation 

Bats are nocturnal and can often go unnoticed for a substantial amount of time. Understanding the signs to look for can help you spot potential issues early.

Common Signs of Bats in the Attic 

You might see live bats flying on your property near sunset and sunrise. Although this doesn’t necessarily mean that they have moved into your attic, it is a good reason to investigate further. Other signs to watch for include1: 

• Visible droppings, known as guano, which often has a strong, ammonia-like odor 
• Scratching sounds in walls or visible scratches on walls in and around the attic
• Clicking sounds, which may sound similar to chirps and feature different tones 
• Slapping sounds from flapping wings 

Locating Entry Points 

One way to find entry points is to look for staining or greasy-looking marks that bats leave behind at entry and exit points. They are very clever at exploiting areas to gain entry to human structures. Common entry areas include the following: 

• Chimneys 
• Uncapped vents 
• Soffits 
• Gaps in siding 
• Louvers 
• Loose roof shingles 
• Unsealed roof flashing
• Exterior gaps and crevices (including around doors and windows) 

Humane Methods for Removing Bats 

The safest method for homeowners to deal with a bat infestation in attics is to call for help. Opening doors and windows, turning off indoor lights, and waiting for the bat to fly out on its own can all work.

• Do not make sudden, fast movements toward the bat 
• Do not scoop it or grab it 
• Do not wave a broom or other object at it 
• Call your local pest or wildlife control service for advice 

Understanding Bat Exclusion 

Long-term success is about more than just how to remove bats safely. It also focuses on keeping them out for good. That’s where exclusion comes into play, sealing off entry points to prevent bats from re-entering once you remove them. You can use caulk, screening, heavy-duty mesh, insulation, steel wool, weather stripping, or flashing to achieve this. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Bat Exclusion 

1. Inspect the interior of the attic for any openings — bats can squeeze through cracks as small as 1/2 inch. 
2. Seal openings that lead to other areas of the home to prevent bats from moving from the attic to other living spaces. 
3. Keep openings to the outside intact until you can ensure all bats have been removed from the premises. 
4. Install tubes or one-way valves that allow bats to exit without permitting re-entry. 
5. Leave them in place for roughly seven nights to ensure all bats have exited the attic. 
6. Verify all bats have been removed before removing the valves and sealing the remaining entryways. 

Maintaining an Attic That’s Unattractive to Bats 

Several steps can help decrease the likelihood of bats moving into your attic. Trim shrubs and overhanging branches away from the roof and exterior of your home. Inspect your roof, repair missing tiles or shingles, and install caps and covers on chimneys and vents. Inside your attic, increasing the ventilation and lighting in the attic can deter bats from viewing the attic as a safe shelter. 

Health Risks Associated with Bats in the Attic 

Although the odds of a bat having rabies are relatively low, these flying mammals can carry the disease. They may bite or scratch if handled or cornered, which is why caution is essential when dealing with bats. 

Dangers of Bat Guano 

Bats’ excrement poses a serious potential health concern. As it dries, it can become dust-like and airborne, sending microscopic spores into the air. These fungal spores, if inhaled, can cause histoplasmosis, which can be life-threatening. It causes symptoms like fever, headache, joint pain, rash, and chest pain and can also lead to complications like damage to the lungs, heart problems, and inflammation in the membranes around the spinal cord and brain. 

Addressing the Health Concerns and Cleaning Safely 

Wearing protective clothing is a must, as is donning a protective face mask that can filter particulates as small as 1 milli-micron. Hiring a company with experience in disinfecting and sanitizing contaminated areas will ensure the attic is thoroughly cleaned and restored.  

When to Call a Professional 

If it’s a single bat that mistakenly flew inside, you can try to let it fly out on its own. However, how can you be certain that it didn’t leave its pups behind? Also, if the bats are inside wall cavities or in hard-to-reach spots, it can be very challenging to remove them. Not to mention, these critters are protected by many state and federal regulations and must be handled with care. 

Bats are legally protected in many regions due to their ecological importance and evicting them from a property often requires adherence to specific protocols. In most cases, it is illegal to harm or kill bats, especially during their maternity season when young bats are unable to fly. Licensed professionals are typically needed to perform humane bat eviction, ensuring the animals are safely excluded from the building without causing harm. These specialists follow legal guidelines, using one-way exclusion devices to allow bats to leave but not re-enter, ensuring both compliance with the law and the safety of the bats. 

When you partner with a pro, you can be assured of three things: safety, thorough removal, and compliance with the law.

Signs That It’s Time to Contact a Wildlife Removal Expert 

Do you see droppings in your attic? Live bats and pups? If you notice signs of bats in your home, it’s vital to contact wildlife removal experts promptly. They will have the training, expertise, and equipment needed to remove them safely. Plus, when you work with USX Pest Control, technicians will disinfect and sanitize the affected area to fully restore your peace of mind. 

How Professionals Ensure Safe and Legal Bat Removal 

Pros understand bat activity and have a thorough grasp of all local, state, and federal laws and regulations that protect them. For most of the summer months, bats give birth to their pups and raise them until they can fly. As a result, professionals can’t provide removal services. However, in spring and fall, removal, exclusion, and bat-proofing services can kick into high gear. 

Technicians undergo extensive education to ensure they comply with guidelines and protect bats throughout the removal process. During multiple visits, professionals employ various techniques to ensure the entire colony is safely removed before cleaning the attic and any other affected areas. Lastly, technicians will ensure entry points are sealed off, and they can install professional Rodent and Wildlife Exclusion Systems as added insurance. These permanent, chemical-free barriers offer long-term protection from future invasions.

Contact USX Pest to Safely Remove Bats from Your Attic 

Bats in the attic are more than just a nuisance. Outdoors, bats play a critical role in the ecosystem. Indoors, these beneficial pests can be a noisy nuisance, damage insulation, and pose a potential health risk. Removing them from a property isn’t a DIY project, however. It’s better to partner with experts in the field.

USX Pest Control will safely and effectively remove bats. Our team will also clean the mess left behind and ensure everything is done according to local, state, and federal guidelines. Contact USX Pest today to learn more about our bat removal services or to schedule a free inspection to get started.