Bat Removal

Are bats in the attic? Have you seen bat guano? Do you hear scratching, chirping, or flapping above your ceiling?

Whether a maternity colony is roosting in your attic during the summer or bats have flown in to escape cold weather, Critter Control has been the trusted choice for professional bat removal near you for over 40 years.

Signs of Bats in My Attic, Walls, or Chimney

• Guano. Otherwise known as bat droppings, guano will collect on your deck, windowsills, or attic floor.
• Bat noises: You’ll hear bats chirping, squeaking, and scratching or rustling sounds at night or in the early morning
• Stains. Bat fur is greasy, and any small areas they’re using to enter your home will become stained, appearing black and shiny.
• Strange odors. Like many wildlife pests, bats stink, and the larger the infestation, the worse the smell. You’ll smell an ammonia-like odor from their urine.

How Do Bats Get In

Bats enter homes in search of safe places to roost. Bats will squeeze through tiny gaps to escape the cold weather during winter. During late spring, bats enter homes to roost in attics to give birth. The maternity roost will stay in the attic through August until the pups are big enough to fly on their own. In some cases, bats will return to maternity roosts year after year.

Common Areas Bats Hide in Tampa Homes

Bats prefer dark, quiet places to sleep during the day and raise their young. Because they are small, they can squeeze into tight spaces that you might not even notice.

• Attics – The most popular spot because it offers high heat and protection from predators.
• Crawl Spaces – The damp, dark environment under a home is an inviting shelter.
• Soffits and Eaves – These architectural features often have gaps that lead directly into walls or attics.
• Chimneys – Uncapped chimneys act like a giant open door for bats looking for a cave-like roost.
• Roof Voids – Loose tiles or siding can create perfect crevices for a colony to squeeze into.
• Behind Siding – Bats can slip behind siding panels to roost between the wood and the exterior.

Why Are Bats in My Attic?

A combination of factors makes an attic attractive to bats seeking a roost to raise their young. When pregnant females like their roost sufficiently, they return year after year if left unchecked.

• Ease of Entry: Unlike nuisance animals such as squirrels or raccoons that can tear a hole in a roof, bats are attracted to existing small openings in vents and gaps in soffits, siding, or roof shingles.
• Proximity to Food: For pregnant females, being close to easy meals is key. If your property provides access to a body of water or has fruit trees, bats will congregate. Fields and ponds offer easy access to swarms of insects. Fruit and citrus farmers often attract bats.
• Darkness: A dark attic will allow bats to rest well during the daytime.
• Safety From Outside Elements: Pregnant females and — once they are born — their pups will require warmth and safety. A cozy, dry attic with enough room for the whole maternity colony and protection from predators is preferred.
• Minimal Activity: Bats will not roost in areas with frequent human activity.

Why Are Bats a Problem in Tampa?

It is easy to underestimate the damage a colony of bats can cause simply because they are small. However, the longer they reside in your building, the more dangerous the situation becomes. Ignoring the issue isn’t just about the nuisance; it is about protecting the structural integrity of your property and the health of its occupants.

• Structural Damage from Bat Guano
  • Rots wood and drywall.
  • Saturates insulation, reducing energy efficiency.
• Health Hazards & Contamination
  • Bat guano can spread histoplasmosis.
  • Parasites like bat bugs and ticks can migrate into your living space.
  • While uncommon, bats can carry the rabies virus

How We Get Rid of Bats in Five Steps

1. Inspection & Identification
   • We find the roosting spots, entry points, and signs of bat activity.
2. Bat Removal Near You
   • The only humane bat removal process involves a bat valve, which allows bats to evict themselves harmlessly.
3. Bat Exclusion & Prevention
   • Once all the bats have removed themselves, we remove the bat valve and seal all entry points.
4. Attic Cleanup & Restoration
   • Bats leave behind hazardous waste. We provide professional attic restoration services. We remove guano, contaminated insulation, and sanitize the area to neutralize odors and dangerous pathogens, making your home safe again.
5. Warranty
   • We stand by our exclusion work. Our services come with a warranty, giving you peace of mind that if bats breach a sealed area, we will return to fix it at no additional cost.

Emergency Bat Removal in Tampa

Sometimes, you can’t wait for a standard appointment. There are situations that require urgent help to ensure the safety of your family. If you have a bat flying around in your living space, especially if there are people or pets sleeping, you need immediate assistance.

Do not try to catch the bat. We offer emergency bat removal to safely capture the animal and, if necessary, test it for rabies. Severe infestations can also lead to overwhelming odors from accumulated waste, making your home unlivable. Businesses may require immediate action to avoid shutdowns. In these cases, our emergency services are available to quickly handle the crisis.