Although bats can be menaces, they are beneficial to our ecosystem and should be treated humanely. Each state has its own regulations, and special permits are required for professionals carrying out bat control.
Ehrlich offers expert bat removal services for all homes and businesses, carried out by highly trained professionals. Bats are known to carry a few diseases, such as rabies, that may affect humans, so it is important to know how to get rid of bats safely.
Bats are drawn to places that give them a safe, dark, and peaceful spot to shelter, along with access to food and water. Homes, barns, and buildings with attics, vents, chimneys, or gaps in the structure can provide ideal roosting sites. Bats are also attracted to properties with standing water, ponds, and insect activity in the yard.
Homeowners may find bats living on the external side of their home, under the eaves. From here, bats may gain access to the interior of your property via small openings and inhabit your loft space.
Bats found inside or around the home could become very inconvenient to homeowners for several reasons. Below are some of the most common signs of bats in your home and the problems they can cause:
Bat droppings look like small, dark pellets that crumble and turn to dust when touched. However, you should avoid contact with the guano and avoid inhaling the surrounding air when near it. Bat droppings are typically found underneath the roost and below the areas where they access the roost. A bat’s feces can carry a fungus known to cause histoplasmosis and Cryptococcus.
Bat urine emits a very strong and offensive odor, which could linger inside your home. If you have an infestation of bats, the smell can become very musty and will resemble the smell of ammonia. Unfortunately, you may not notice the bat odor smell right away, as it is not very pungent at first.
Bats can leave visible grease marks around the area they are inhabiting. These stains are brown in appearance and are from an oily substance secreted by the bat’s skin. Stains are typically found on the walls where bats gain entrance.
A bat roost can harbor parasites such as the bat bug. Bat bugs are small, brown, and oval shaped in appearance. They can move into other living quarters of a home, and they can easily be confused with bed bugs. Although these parasites may bite, bat bugs are unlikely to transmit any diseases.
Finding ill or injured bats is a telltale sign of a bat infestation. A sick bat may struggle to fly and appear confused or disoriented. Avoid handling an ill or injured bat as they can become easily agitated and will probably try to bite you.
Ehrlich’s bat control programs are designed to relocate bats and not harm them. It is illegal to trap or intentionally harm or kill bats, so our bat control process enables them to exit the structure humanely without allowing them to find their way back in.
Our bat removal service primarily involves funneling and/or exclusion. Full house exclusion is the best option for complete bat removal.
We advise homeowners to get rid of bats humanely and efficiently with the help of a professional. Call us today at 800-837-5520 for further advice on how to get rid of bats or to arrange a FREE pest inspection.
The first step in any bat control service is a complete inspection of your home or structure. Our technicians identify potential entry points—such as roof gaps, vents, fascia, and attic louvers—along with active roosting sites. Bats can squeeze through openings as small as three-eighths of an inch, so a detailed inspection is key to a successful bat infestation removal plan.
Funneling is a method used to guide bats out of the building without harming them. Funneling includes the installation of a mesh webbed netting that is hung over primary openings. This will allow bats to exit a property but not to re-enter. The netting is left in place for up to 14 days to ensure all the bats have left your home. This humane approach is a core part of our effective bat removal services and adheres to wildlife protection laws.
An alternative to funneling is one-way bat valves, which are installed at primary exit points. These also allow bats to leave safely but prevent them from re-entering. Like funneling, this method is used for both ethical and legal reasons, as it ensures the entire colony is removed over time without causing distress or trapping bats inside.
After funneling is executed, exclusion services will start. For bat exclusion, a permanent screening method will be put in place to block off the opening. Approved building materials, such as caulk and copper gauze, will be used to provide permanent exclusion.
Bats often leave behind large amounts of droppings, or guano, which can cause odor, staining, and potential health hazards. Ehrlich’s bat control services include professional cleanup and sanitation to remove contaminated insulation, disinfect surfaces, and eliminate airborne pathogens.
To ensure the success of bat removal and exclusion efforts, follow-up monitoring is essential. Our team performs periodic checkups to confirm that all roosts are inactive and that no new infestation has occurred. We also offer ongoing bat prevention strategies to help you keep your home secure year-round.
Bat remediation start and stop times are set by the states and vary widely from state to state. Bat removal can be done before the young are born, usually between April and May, and after the juveniles can fly, usually between August and October. In all states, it’s illegal to disturb or exclude maternal colonies because they are federally protected.
Bat removal is also contingent on the nighttime weather and temperatures. When the temperatures drop below 60 degrees, nighttime flying insect activity drops, which causes bat activity to drop. This makes it more difficult to remove bats because they are not coming out at night to feed.
Starting exclusion too early in the season can trap bats inside a home, leading to more problems. If bats are trapped, they will end up dying, creating a foul odor throughout your home. Starting bat removal early can also cause flightless young bats to be trapped inside. This will result in more female bats flying around the outside of your house trying to find another way to gain access to their young.
If you find bats hibernating in your home during the winter months, contact us before you try any DIY control methods. Our wildlife pest control services ensure humane removal and prevention.
Regular inspections and proactive maintenance are key to effective bat prevention. Here are few simple steps that you can take to reduce the chances of bats nesting on your property:
At Ehrlich, we understand the risks and challenges that come with a bat infestation, from property damage to health concerns caused by droppings and guano buildup.
Our expert technicians use proven, humane methods for bat removal, exclusion, and long-term prevention tailored to your home or business.
Schedule an inspection todayCommon signs of a bat infestation include chirping or scratching sounds in the attic or walls, especially at dusk and dawn. You may also notice greasy stains near entry points, foul odors from accumulated guano, or visible droppings around your property.
Yes, bats can cause significant damage over time. Their guano accumulates and soaks into insulation, leading to unpleasant odors, health hazards, and structural deterioration. Moisture buildup from droppings can also attract insects and mold.
Bats typically enter homes while searching for safe roosts, often during maternity season (from spring to summer) or migration. Gaps in your siding, soffits, roofline, or attic vents provide easy access. Homes near wooded areas, water sources, or insect populations are more prone to bat activity. Regular inspection and sealing of entry points can help prevent them from getting inside.
If entry points aren’t properly sealed or exclusion wasn’t completed thoroughly, bats may return—sometimes even within days. That’s why professional bat removal services include exclusion and long-term monitoring to prevent recurrence. Once the roost site becomes inaccessible, bats will relocate elsewhere.
Yes, bat guano can carry fungal spores that cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory disease that can be serious, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Additionally, accumulated droppings can trigger allergic reactions or attract pests.
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