Bats in Attic Removal

Bats live in virtually every habitat in the United States and use trees, caves, and rock crevices for daytime roosting locations. When natural bat habitats overlap, bats can will roost in mines, under bridges, under roofs, in chimneys, but most often inside your attic.

Once a colony of bats is established, resulting bat problems for homeowners range from general noise and smell nuisances to the heightened risk of contracting illnesses.

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1. Bat Entry Points to Attic
2. Bat in Attic Problems
3. How to Get Rid of Bats in Attic
4. Professional Bat in Attic Removal
5. Signs of Bats in Attic

How do Bats Get into the Attic?

Depending on the time of year and the species of bat, they enter attics either to hibernate or give birth. Attics offer the warmth, humidity, and shelter necessary for rearing young pups.

Bats gain access to attics through gaps in roof shingles, mortar, windows, doors, and home ventilation systems. Gable vents are a common bat entry point into the attic.

Conflicts that arise from bat infestations in the attic range from unsightly messes to health risks, and some of the more negligible issues associated with bat presence include their insistent squeaking sounds and the strong musky odor that is excreted from their scent glands.

Bat Problems in Your Attic

Bats pose very little direct danger to people, but it is not a good thing to have bats in the attic.

Dangers of Bats in the 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 infestatio,n 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.

Evidence of Bats in Attic

1. Piles of guano in the attic, insulation, on your roof, or in your gutters
2. Stains on ceiling or walls from urine
3. The strong smell of ammonia in the attic
4. Smudge marks or oily streaks on walls
5. High-pitched squeaking noises in your attic

How to Get Rid of Bats in Your Attic

Not only do bats provide environmental and economic benefits, but also bat populations are threatened. Human behavior like wind turbines and pesticides hurt bat populations. White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease that spreads through bat colonies and has almost eliminated the Northern long-eared, little brown, and tri-colored bats.

Before you attempt a DIY bat removal, there are state and federal protections for bats. It is illegal to kill or trap bats in the attic. If flightless pups are present you cannot install bat exclusions. Finally, without proper protection, an amateur bat control can put your health at risk.

Bats in Attic Removal

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 strategy.

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.

Attic Remediation after Bat Infestation

After bats in the attic, attic remediation is a must. This step restores your attic to a safe and clean condition, removing all traces of roosting bats.

Clean Up

Bat infestations leave behind contaminated materials that must be carefully removed.

Our cleanup process includes:

• Safely disposing of nesting materials and bat droppings.
• Using specialized sanitation agents, such as industrial-grade disinfectants, to disinfect the area.
• Eliminating harmful bacteria and odors to make your attic a safe environment once more.

Remove and Replace Insulation

Your uninvited attic guests may damage insulation during their stay, nesting in it and contaminating it with urine and droppings. During our inspection, we’ll evaluate the insulation and replace it if necessary. Generally, we recommend insulation replacement when:

• Areas are heavily contaminated with rodent waste.
• Insulation has suffered significant water damage.
• Insulation is old and no longer effective.
• There are signs of mold or mildew growth.

We can help prepare insurance bids for insulation replacement to ensure a seamless transition. We work with most major insurance companies to ease the financial burden.

TAP Pest Control Insulation

As part of the remediation process, we offer Thermal Acoustical Pest (TAP) Control Insulation. This is a specialized insulation that offers multiple advantages over run-of-the-mill insulation, including:

• Pest resistance: TAP insulation is infused with boric acid, which deters insects and other pests.
• Energy efficiency: It helps with temperature regulation, adding a layer of insulating protection that reduces heating and cooling costs.
• Noise reduction: TAP insulation offers superior soundproofing compared to traditional insulation, helping keep your home quieter and more comfortable.

We install TAP insulation to provide long-term protection against future infestations while improving energy efficiency and reducing noise.

Photo Evidence of Signs of Bats in the Attic

Bat guano is the most obvious sign that bats are in the attic.

Photos of Bat Guano

Bats leave smudge marks near the entry and exit holes.

Occasionally, you will see the bats roosting in your attic.

Having bats in your attic can pose serious health and structural risks, from the spread of diseases like Histoplasmosis to the damage caused by accumulating guano. While bats are beneficial to the environment, their presence inside your home can lead to unwanted messes, strong odors, and potential exposure to rabies. Given the legal protections surrounding certain bat species and the complexities of safe removal, homeowners should avoid DIY methods that could be ineffective or even harmful. Instead, hiring Critter Control ensures a professional, humane, and thorough approach to bat removal. With expert exclusion techniques, sanitization services, and attic restoration options, Critter Control provides a safe and lasting solution, protecting both your home and the bat population.