Spring Bat Removal & Relocation

Early spring is an excellent time for bat exclusion, but there is a strict deadline. The exclusion must be completed before the baby bats (pups) are born. In the wildlife control industry, the golden rule is "June and July, let them fly"—meaning you cannot legally or humanely block mothers out of their nursery while flightless pups are inside. Because of this, our spring cutoff for installing one-way exclusion doors is typically the last week in May.

When bats wake up from winter hibernation inside your attic or walls, they are often groggy and disoriented. Instead of finding their way outside to hunt, they frequently take a wrong turn down a wall cavity, chimney, or duct, accidentally ending up in your basement or living room.

Acting in the spring prevents a small problem from multiplying. Female bats typically give birth in late May or early June. By excluding them in early spring, you prevent your home from becoming a summer maternity ward. Additionally, bats consume up to three times their body weight in insects nightly. The longer they stay, the more rapidly guano (bat droppings) will pile up in your attic.

It’s possible, but highly unlikely. Most people assume a bat flew in from the outside, but 99% of the time, the bat dropped down from an existing colony hiding in the attic or chimney. Even if a bat did happen to fly in through an open window, it usually indicates a colony is roosting very close by.

The most important step is to call a professional for a live exclusion. Once our one-way doors are installed, it generally only takes 1 to 2 weeks for the active bats to safely exit your home. If a stray, disoriented bat happens to find its way into your living space in the meantime, remain calm. Isolate it in one room and open a window or exterior door; it will usually fly out on its own in a few minutes. If it won't leave, we are here to help.

Not every attic requires a full clean-out, but many do due to the health risks, parasites, and odors associated with guano. During your initial home inspection, we will evaluate the damage and determine if professional attic restoration is necessary. Keep in mind that the colder winter months are actually the ideal time for us to perform this major cleanup, as we can safely remove soiled insulation and safely extract any remaining hibernating bats at the same time.