Michigan Spring Bat Removal
Bat Control and Bat Activity
As the snow melts, your roof thaws, the flowers bloom, and the bugs fly, out come the bats. Bat removal, bat control and bat relocation during the Spring months is a time sensitive matter. You want to make sure your exclusion and repairs are done before the juvenile bat pups are born. Maternal mothers will start to have their pups sometime during the second or third week of May. During your bat inspection our technicians can determine if you have a maternal colony of bats with born pups. It may even be determined that you have a bachelor male colony of bats which separate from the maternal mothers during the Spring months.
How do you get rid of bats during the spring?
Most bats in the attic in Michigan live beneath the insulation or in wall cavities where it's warm. Some bats in the attic can be removed and relocated by hand. Not all bats are ever found in any certain attic. The one and only way to remove bats during the Spring or any month for that matter is through a live bat exclusion.
Bat Removal Process in the Spring Without Detail is a 3 step process:
- Inspection: Locating entry points and other potential entry points.
- Live Bat Exclusion: Installing one way doors and bat proofing the rest of the home.
- Return visit: Re-inspect the home and remove one way door after a minimum of a week. We keep our doors up until late fall.
The length of time it takes bats to exit your home varies depending on the temperature and feeding patterns. During most spring months, getting rid of bats usually takes between one and two weeks.
Improper Bat Removal Techniques
The process mentioned above is the only acceptable way to get rid of bats from homes and attics. Glue boards, “Bat-A-Way”, or high frequency noise emitters are gimmicks and unacceptable ways to solve a bat problem. The Federal Trade Commission has provided a ban against the selling ultrasonic pest control devices. There are no poisons, pesticides or fumigations you can use to evict bats from your home. Bats are both state and federally protected species here in Michigan. Because of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) bats are now on the endangered list. Also because of West Nile and other various diseases bats are great to control the insect population and prevent the spread of diseases. Fines for killing bats in Michigan can be up to $5,000.
Bats are a beneficial species. They are an important part of any local ecosystem, with some species eating significant numbers of potential agricultural pests such as mosquitoes, beetles and moths. Like all wildlife in Michigan, bats can carry rabies. Human rabies cases are rare in the U.S., with an average of 2-3 cases documented each year. It is estimated that in the U.S., 40,000 people each year receive rabies post-exposure and many of these following an exposure to bats. Some of these treatments can be avoided if the bat can be collected and tested for rabies. If the animal tests negative for rabies, no treatment is necessary.
When Can You Start the Bat Exclusion Process in the Spring?
Bat removal, bat control and bat relocation during the Spring months can often be a great time to exclude bats. However there are a couple things to consider. Are there baby bats? The old saying goes "June and July let them fly" Meaning, do not block the mothers out of their nursery. A typical Spring cutoff time is the last week in May.
Why is a bat flying in my house during the Spring?
Typically this is due to the fact there are disoriented bats coming out of hibernation. Sometimes the bats end up in your basement and loose their way out of your house.
Why start the bat removal process during the Spring?
Did the bat fly in from the outside?
It's possible, but not likely. Most bats in your home come from the attic or fireplace. On occasion the bats may enter by leaving a door or window open, but that typically means there is a colony near by.
What can I do if there is a colony of bats in the attic?
Most importantly you have to be patient. Bats living in your attic over the summer will leave if excluded by a professional. It should only take a few months for the bats to leave your home. Bats that enter your home during this time may be very disoriented and are simply looking for a way out. If you find a bat flying in your house open a window or door. The bat may fly out within a few short minutes. If you can not get rid of the bat from your house, it may be time to call a professional.
Should I clean my attic out if there is bat poop?
Not all attics need to be clean out, but many do. The winter or colder months are the best times to clean out the attic. We can often times remove hibernating bats located underneath insulation while we remove the insulation. During your home inspection we will look in the attic and determine if you need attic restoration work.
Bat Control Topics and Quick Links
Bat Control Services in These Areas
Common areas we serve throughout our Michigan service area are: Bay City, Dewitt, Eagle, Elsie, Fowler, Maple Rapids, Ovid, St. Johns, Westphalia,Bellevue, Charlotte, Dimondale, Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge, Mulliken, Olivet, Potterville, Sunfield, Vermontville, Waverly, Burton, Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Linden, Montrose, Mount Morris, Ottisville, Swartz Creek,Dansville, East Lansing, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, Okemos, Stockbridge, Webberville, Williamston, Jackson, Grass Lake, Almont, Attica, Clifford,Columbiaville, Dryden, Imlay City, Lapeer, Metamora, North Branch, Otter Lake, Argentine, Brighton, Fowlerville, Hartland, Howell, Pinckney, Whitmore Lake, Armada, Center Line, Chesterfield, Clinton, Eastpointe, Memphis, Mount Clemons, New Baltimore, New Haven, Romeo, Saint Claire Shores, Shelby, Sterling Heights, Utica, Warren, Midland, Carleton, Dundee, Estral Beach, Luna Pier, Maybee, Monroe, Petersburg, South Rockwood, Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Clawson, Commerce Twp., Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Franklin, Holly, Lake Orion, Madison Heights, Milford, Novi, Oak Park, Ortonville, Oxford, Pontiac, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Southfield, Troy, Walled lake, Wixom, West Bloomfield, Wolverine Lake, Birch Run, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, Merrill, Oakley, Saginaw, St. Charles, Zilwaukee, Bancroft, Byron, Corunna, Durand, Lainsburg, Lennon, Morrice, New Lothrop, Owosso, Perry, Vernon, Akron, Caro, Cass City, Fairgrove, Gagetown, Kingston, Millingston, Reese, Unionville, Vassar, Ann Arbor, Barton Hills, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline, Ypsilanti, Canton, Livonia, Northville, Plymouth, Wayne, Westland