Michigan's Trusted Bat Removal & Exclusion Experts

Because bats are nocturnal and try to stay hidden, you might not see them directly. However, they leave behind several clear signs:

• Noises at specific times: You may hear scratching, squeaking, or scurrying in the walls or ceiling, almost exclusively right around dusk (when they leave to hunt) and dawn (when they return).

• Guano (droppings): Bat guano looks a lot like mouse droppings, but it tends to be clustered under entry points. If you crush a piece (wear a mask and gloves!), it turns to a sparkly dust due to the insect shells in their diet, whereas mouse droppings are hard.

• Staining: You might notice dark, greasy smudge marks around small gaps near your roofline, vents, or fascia boards caused by the oils on their fur as they squeeze in and out.

Timing is the most critical factor in Michigan bat control. You cannot legally exclude bats during their maternity season, which typically runs from June 1st through mid-August. During this time, mother bats are raising flightless pups. If you seal the exits, the mothers will be locked out, and the babies will die inside your walls—leading to severe odor issues, insect infestations, and structural damage. The best times for bat exclusion in Michigan are early spring (April/May) before pups are born, or early fall (September/October) after the pups can fly but before hibernation.

No. It is both illegal and highly unethical to kill bats in Michigan. Several bat species native to Michigan (such as the Indiana Bat and the Northern Long-eared Bat) are federally and state-protected as endangered or threatened species. Furthermore, there are no registered pesticides or poisons for bats.

The only legal, humane, and effective method is called "live exclusion." Professionals install one-way doors or tubes over the entry points. These allow the bats to fly out at night to feed, but prevent them from re-entering.

Bats are generally not aggressive and won't attack you, but they do pose two distinct health risks:

• Rabies: While less than 1% of wild bats carry rabies, it is a fatal disease. Any bat found in the living space of your home (especially if found in a room with a sleeping person, a child, or a pet) should be safely captured and tested by the health department. Never touch a bat with your bare hands.

• Histoplasmosis: Large accumulations of bat guano in your attic can grow a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. Inhaling the spores when the guano is disturbed can cause a severe respiratory infection called Histoplasmosis.

Bats are incredibly agile and can squeeze through gaps as small as 3/8 of an inch (roughly the size of a dime).

Common entry points on Michigan homes include:

• Gaps around chimneys and flashing

• Unscreened gable vents or ridge vents

• Loose or warped siding and fascia boards

• Where the roofline meets the chimney or dormers

Keeping them out requires a process called "bat-proofing" or "sealing." After the exclusion process is complete and you are 100% sure the colony is gone, every single potential gap on the upper half of your house must be sealed with silicone caulk, hardware cloth, or expanding foam.