Bat Removal in Nashville

Did you find piles of droppings? Are bats flying out of your attic nightly?

There are 15 species of bats in the state of Tennessee, including the common Southeastern bat and the uncommon Rafinesque’s big-eared bat, which the state has deemed in need of management. The state regulates bat removal. From May 1 to August 1, you cannot remove a colony with flightless pups. Please contact your Nashville-based Critter Control office to handle bat removal according to state law.

Signs of a Bat Problem in Nashville

• Guano. Otherwise known as bat droppings, guano will collect on your deck, windowsills, or attic floor.
• Bat noises: You’ll hear bats chirping and 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.

When is Bat Removal in Nashville?

The state of Tennessee designates the safe removal period from August until October and March to April.

Bat Problems in Your Attic

One of the biggest bat problems is the collection of bat droppings, also called guano. Bat guano can introduce health risks to you and your family and damage your attic.

Guano provides a hospitable environment for the fungal spores that cause Histoplasmosis, a respiratory ailment, to grow. When droppings accrue, the spores become airborne and can be breathed in by residents. During bat removal, the Critter Control experts wear respirators to protect themselves.

Bat guano collects under the roost location. The longer an infestation, the larger the pile of bat droppings. They can contaminate your insulation and weaken your ceiling.

In rare cases, a bat can find itself in the living space of your home. It is exceedingly rare for bats to bite you, but it can be difficult to find a bat bite spot. Additionally, bats are known carriers of rabies. If someone has been in the same room with a bat, it is prudent to seek medical attention or contact the local health department.

Problems with Bats in Walls

In addition to creating noise, a bat in house walls may become stuck. This is especially common for young bats, which have not yet mastered flying. If left alone, trapped bats often starve and die in wall voids, attracting rodents, cockroaches, and other pests with the smell of decay.

Bat Problems in Chimneys

Do Not Smoke Out Bats in the Chimney!

“Smoking out” a bat infestation is also a bad idea. The suggestion to keep the damper closed and set a fire is not humane. After birth, bat pups cannot fly. If you set a fire with bat pups in your chimney, it will be cruel.

Bats enter chimneys to hibernate or to give birth. Homeowners with a maternity colony of bats in the chimney may have a long-lasting problem on their hands. The animals have strong homing instincts and usually return to the same roosts. A bat can live for over six years, and females produce a pup every season.

If you do have bats in the chimney, keep the flue shut! Not only is exclusion the most effective way to deter bats from roosting in your chimney, but it is also the most humane and ethical bat control strategy.

How We Get Rid of Bats in Nashville

Inspection & Identification

We find the roosting spots, entry points, and signs of bat activity.

Bat Removal Near You

The only humane bat removal process involves a bat valve which allows bats to evict themselves harmlessly.

Bat Exclusion & Prevention

Once all the bats have removed themselves, we remove the bat valve and seal all entry points.

Bat Exclusion & Prevention

Once all the bats have removed themselves, we remove the bat valve and seal all entry points.

Not only is bat exclusion the most effective way to get rid of bats from roosting in your attic, but it is also the most humane and ethical bat control near you.

Exclusion tubes are a one-way exit, allowing bats in the chimney to leave but not to return. The process typically takes three to seven days to ensure all bats are out. After a final attic inspection, we remove the valve and seal the final exit point.

Once bats are gone, the professionals at Critter Control will remove any feces and apply sanitization agents to decontaminate the area. In extreme cases, we off full attic restorations and reinstall attic insulation.

Critter Control offers professional bat removal across the country. Where you live will determine when bat removal is possible. In colder climates, you cannot remove or disturb bats during hibernation. During the summer, you can evict bats once the pups can fly on their own.