The United States is home to over forty bat species. Bats have furry bodies ranging from tan to red, brown, and gray. Bats typically have large ears designed for echolocation to compensate for their poor eyesight. As the only mammals capable of flight, bats are very light and have wings.

The bone structure of the wing resembles that of a human hand, as there are flaps of skin between the bones. At their tiniest, bats grow between 2.5 and 3.5 inches (6 to 9 cm) in length and have a wingspan of about 8 inches (20 cm). Larger species range from 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) in length and have wingspans between 21 and 23 inches (53 and 58 cm).

Highly adaptable, bats set up roosts in various environments, such as deserts, woodlands, suburbs, and urban areas. While bats prefer warm temperatures, they survive in temperate environments by hibernating in winter months. If you are wondering where bats prefer living on your property, they can often be found in barns, attics, caves, tree cavities, and the undersides of bridges roosting during winter.

For the most part, bats are nocturnal, and humans sleep through their activity. However, to survive cold winters in various regions, bats enter homes and roost in secluded locations like attics. They can squeeze into openings as tiny as a quarter of an inch (6 mm) in diameter, such as cracks around windows and doors, pipes and electrical wiring that lead inside, and vents. If you suspect bats in your attic or elsewhere on your property, contact Critter Control for help.

One of the most considerable risks from a bat infestation is bat guano. Bat droppings act as a catalyst for the development of the fungus, and human infection occurs when people inhale the spores. Bats also host ectoparasites, like fleas, flies, ticks, and mites, that endanger the health of humans and pets. Finally, bat urine can cause a pervasive and unpleasant smell, while bat droppings stain ceilings and building visages.

Critter Control can help keep bats out of your home, business, or other structure.

While bats are beneficial creatures overall, they pose specific health threats. Though rabid dogs cause 99% of rabies-related deaths, bats are still carriers of the disease. Thankfully, even rabid bats refrain from biting humans unless they feel threatened.

Your safety and that of your family must be your highest priority. Critter Control can help you remove bats so that you do not have to worry about whether bats will return and put your family in harm’s way.

Six species of bats are federally protected, and numerous states have specific regulations regarding bat removal. Call a professional for help when dealing with a bat problem to avoid breaking laws or regulations.

In most states, it is illegal to harm or exterminate bats. The most effective and humane way to remove bats is with a one-way valve (bat cone or bat valve). The bat cone allows a bat to leave your attic safely but prevents re-entry. Seal all potential entry points before installing a bat cone.

Finally, you cannot start bat exclusion if flightless pups are in your attic. The pups are dependent on their mothers, and abandoned pups in your attic will die.

You can hire professional bat removal services to safely, humanely, and effectively relocate bats. They might transfer them to bat houses or gardens to offer them a suitable habitat.

The fastest way to get rid of bats is by using a one-way valve and exclusions. Because bats fly out every night to search for food, installing a one-way valve allows them to do so. However, they cannot return to your attic or other area on your property. Hiring professional experts ensures the one-way valves and exclusions are done correctly and safely and do not cause incidents that put you or the bats in danger.

Throughout the year, bats move to different locations that each serve a distinct purpose. A bat maternity roost is where pregnant females gather to raise their babies. Bat maternity colonies begin to form in early April. In the late spring or summer, you may see bats leaving an attic or overhang at twilight and may need to check for an infestation. The best time to remove a bat maternity colony is after the pups can fly (typically starting in August).

The cost of bat removal varies depending on several factors, such as how long bats have been roosting, how big the colony is, how many potential entry points are on your house, and how much damage needs to be repaired. Call Critter Control for an estimate.

It is unlikely that homeowners’ insurance will cover the cost of bat removal. However, your insurance may cover the repairs associated with a bat colony. Call Critter Control for a cost estimate.

Since bats will likely target any available structure, homes remain susceptible unless individuals seal off potential entry points. In addition to sealing cracks and openings, illuminating attic spaces or eaves during nighttime hours helps deter bats from roosting, as does placing fans in attics to lower the temperature.

Professional exclusion services help you prevent bats from entering your home.