Bat Information To Ponder Over

If you suspect that you have bats roosting in your home or building, the best advice is to call a professional who specializes in bat exclusion. We will make the proper assessment and advise you as to what steps are necessary to solve your problem.

Here are some signs that you may have bats:

• Brown or grayish stains at the entrance to the roost.
• An accumulation of pellet-like droppings (guano) in an area, usually beneath the entrance to the roost. Bat guano (droppings) can at times present a problem to the home or business owner. The odor and possible health risks along with structural damage associated with bat guano can be corrected
• A distinct musky urine smell. This smell is associated with the bat itself and the urine, not the feces. Most of the smell will subside once the bats are gone.
• High Pitch chirping. This is called roost chatter and may be most noticeable in the evening before the bats emerge to feed.
• Visual  confirmation of bats exiting and entering the roost. Usually can been seen at dusk & dawn.

Bat Removal Or Exclusion

We offer a complete and thorough free bat inspection. Our certified technicians will determine each spot within your structure that a bat can get in or out. Every gap that is 1/2 of an inch or larger will be identified for sealing. It is important to not only exclude the bats from the present roost but also seal any and all other potential openings that the bats may gain entry into.

As each structure is different, a one way bat door will be custom made for your particular application. Once the bats have been excluded from the structure it is then sealed so future entry is not possible. An average colony may consist of a couple hundred bats. They are generally found roosting under the ridges of cedar shake roofs, inside soffits, behind fascia boards, inside cracks on walls, underneath side flashing, in chimneys and behind gutters.

Occasionally, the service requested involves the removal of an individual bat, but in most situations, a colony of bats must be removed from the structure. In either case, our technicians implement non-lethal control measures. We do not use poisons, pesticides or traps in our exclusions. No bats are ever harmed.

Frequently asked Questions

Are Bats harmed an any way?

Everything is 100% humane and no bats are harmed during the removal or exclusion process.

Will my family have to leave the home during the excluding process?

No, with the humane techniques that are used you will not even know that anything is going on.

How long will it take before my home is completely bat-proof?

Getting the bats out is rather quick and won’t take long at all, generally 5-7 days.

Are there any chemicals involved?

No. In fact, using pesticides against bats is illegal and can be counterproductive, causing you and your family much unneeded stress. Poisoning bats simply increases the likelihood that they will come in contact with you or your family.

What do the “one way Doors” actually do?

They allow the bats to leave the structure, but not return. They are only temporary and will be removed when the bats are gone.

Is there anything I can do to get the bats out myself?

It’s possible, but keeping them out is another story. In an effort to seal the bats out, people often unknowingly seal them in, adding unwanted stress to the homeowner.

Do Mothballs really work to keep bats away?

In order to keep the bats away, the active ingredient in mothballs, naphthalene, must be used in such large quantities that is poses a significant health hazard to humans.

What about those ultrasonic devices sold for the purpose of keeping bats away?  Do they work?

No. Bat Conservation International says, “Ultrasonic devices are ineffective against bats… Exclusion is the only effective solution for permanently removing bats from buildings.”

What do I do if a bat attacks me?

The best way to deal with this is through prevention. It is best if a bat never comes near you or your family. If one should enter in to the structure, exit immediately and contact a professional.

 Is it true that bats come out at night while everyone’s asleep?

Yes, bats are nocturnal. They generally exit the structure at dusk and return at dawn.

What happens to all the bats?

The bat colony is set free. Once they realize they can’t get back into your home, they’ll go find another roosting place. As part of our complete bat exclusion process we suggest the use of bat houses to keep bats away from humans altogether. This process is what Bat Conservation International recommends most highly since it is both effective and humane.

If they stay on the property, they’ll help out with insects. Bats may be a great help in your yard, but NOT IN THE HOUSE!

Do bats really use sonar?

Yes, bats “see” in the dark through a process of emitting sounds and listening for the echo called “echolocation”.

Do bats carry rabies?

Yes. Bats are mammals and are susceptible to rabies, but most do not have the disease. You cannot tell if a bat has rabies just by looking at it; rabies can be confirmed only by having the animal tested in a laboratory. To minimize the risk for rabies, it is best never to handle any bat.

What should I do if I come in contact with a bat?

If you are bitten by a bat — or if infectious material (such as saliva) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound — wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical attention immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing. People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat. However, because bats have small teeth which may leave marks that are not easily seen, there are situations in which you should seek medical advice even in the absence of an obvious bite wound. For example, if you awaken and find a bat in your room, see a bat in the room of an unattended child, or see a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, seek medical advice and have the bat tested. People cannot get rabies just from seeing a bat in an attic, in a cave, or at a distance. In addition, people cannot get rabies from having contact with bat guano (feces), blood, or urine, or from touching a bat on its fur (even though bats should never be handled!).

What should I do if I find a bat in my home?

If you see a bat in your home and you are sure no human or pet exposure has occurred, confine the bat to a room by closing all doors and windows leading out of the room except those to the outside. The bat will probably leave soon. If not, it can be caught, as described below, and released outdoors away from people and pets.

However, if there is any question of exposure, leave the bat alone and call animal control or a wildlife conservation agency for assistance. If professional assistance is unavailable, use precautions to capture the bat safely, as described below.

What You Will Need To Catch A Bat

• leather work gloves (put them on)
• small box or coffee can
• piece of cardboard
• tape

When the bat lands, approach it slowly and place a box or coffee can over it. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the cardboard to the container securely. Contact your health department or animal control authority to make arrangements for rabies testing.

How can I tell if a bat has rabies?

Rabies can be confirmed only in a laboratory. However, any bat that is active by day, is found in a place where bats are not usually seen (for example in rooms in your home or on the lawn), or is unable to fly, is far more likely than others to be rabid. Such bats are often the most easily approached. Therefore, it is best never to handle any bat.

CALL 866-263-WILD (9453)