Expert Bat Exclusion vs. Traditional Pest Control

No. All nine species of bats in Michigan are protected by state law. It is illegal to use poisons, chemicals, or lethal traps to get rid of them. Bats are vital to the ecosystem—a single bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects per hour—so the only legal and ethical removal method is humane exclusion.

• Best Times: Late April to mid-May (before pups are born) or mid-August to October (after pups can fly).

• The "No-Go" Zone: You should avoid bat-proofing or exclusion between late May and July 31. During this time, flightless "pups" are in the roost. If you seal the entrance or install one-way doors, the mothers are locked out and the babies will starve inside your walls or attic, creating a significant odor and health hazard.

Since you can't trap or kill them, professionals use one-way exclusion devices (tubes or mesh valves).

• The Process: Technicians identify every tiny gap (some as small as 1/4 inch) and seal them all except for the main "active" holes.

• The Exit: One-way doors are installed over those active holes. Bats can crawl out at night to hunt, but cannot figure out how to get back in. After a few days, once the attic is confirmed empty, the devices are removed, and the final holes are sealed.

It is a common misconception that bats "nest" in basements. In Michigan, they typically enter at high points (rooflines, chimneys, or soffits).

• The Network- Once inside the attic, bats may follow "chases"—vertical cavities for plumbing, wiring, or chimneys—all the way down to the basement.

• Temperature- During extreme heat or the onset of winter hibernation, bats move within the walls to find a stable temperature, often accidentally ending up in the living quarters or basement.

Yes, it can be. Beyond the smell and structural damage, accumulated bat guano can harbor Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus that causes a respiratory infection called Histoplasmosis.

• The Risk- The danger arises when the droppings are disturbed, and the spores become airborne.

• The Solution- Professional cleanup involves specialized vacuums with HEPA filtration and sanitization agents to neutralize the spores safely.