Bat removal: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What bat removal is

Bat removal excludes bats from attics and walls by sealing all but one-way exits, then closes the gaps once the bats have left. People call when they see bats in the attic, hear them in the walls, or find droppings on the floor or insulation, and they need the bats removed without harming them or trapping them inside.

Signs you need it

  • Droppings appear in the attic, on insulation, under a vent or on the floor below a gap in the roof or soffit
  • Scratching, squeaking or fluttering comes from inside the wall, the attic or behind a shutter at dusk or dawn
  • A strong ammonia-like odor or stains appear near a gap in the siding, soffit or chimney
  • Bats are seen flying out of the roof line, soffit or gable vent in the evening
  • A bat was found inside the living space, which can mean there is an opening into the house

What the pro does

  • The technician confirms the bat species and the colony size from outside and inside the structure, and checks for young
  • Entry points are located by looking for staining, droppings and where the bats come out at dusk
  • One-way exclusion devices are installed over the main exits, so the bats can leave but cannot return
  • After the bats have left, which is checked over several nights, all openings are sealed with durable materials
  • The technician cleans the droppings with protective gear and leaves guidance on what to check and when to call again

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number and size of the colony, and how many entry points it uses
  • Access to the attic, wall voids and roof line where the bats are roosting
  • Whether young are present, which can change the timing of the exclusion
  • Amount of droppings and contaminated insulation that must be removed
  • Repairs needed to seal large gaps in the roof, soffits and vents
  • Number of visits needed for the exclusion to be completed and checked
  • Whether the job is a single exclusion or a repeat inspection plan

What a written quote should spell out

  • The species identified and the colony size estimate, with the basis for it
  • The exits that will receive one-way devices, and the devices used
  • The timing for the exclusion, and the window in which it is done
  • The sealing materials and the locations sealed after the bats leave
  • The cleanup of droppings and any contaminated insulation removed
  • The follow-up check and the terms for any return visit

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What bat species do you think it is, and how did you confirm it?
  • Are there young bats inside, and how does that change the timing?
  • How do you make sure all the bats are out before you seal the openings?
  • What happens to the bats after they leave, and are they released nearby?
  • How do you clean the droppings, and what happens to contaminated insulation?
  • Are you licensed for this work, and do you follow the timing rules where I live?
  • What do I do if I find a bat in the living space?

Red flags

  • They seal the entry points while bats are still inside, which traps them in the structure
  • They use glue traps, poisons or smoke to drive the bats out
  • They remove bats by hand without the right protection and training
  • They do not check for young before they set the exclusion
  • They will not say what they do after the bats leave or how they confirm it

What you can do yourself

A homeowner should not handle bats, since bats can carry rabies and a bite may not always be obvious; do not seal any opening until a professional has confirmed the bats are out and young are not inside. Do not clean up bat droppings without protection, since they can carry fungus that causes illness, so wear a mask and gloves and wet the material first. If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, or a bat was in a room with a sleeping person, seek medical care right away.

Licenses and permits

Bat removal is commonly licensed or permitted in many areas, and bats are often protected under wildlife rules, which set the timing and methods allowed. Check with your state or local licensing agency and the wildlife rules that apply before you hire or do any exclusion.

Bat removal questions

Why can't the bats be removed right away?

Bats are often protected, and the exclusion has to be timed so young are not trapped inside. The professional should confirm the colony and the season before setting one-way devices.

Are bats dangerous to people?

Bats can carry rabies, so do not handle one, even if it looks injured. If you were bitten or scratched, or a bat was near someone who was sleeping, seek medical care right away. A licensed professional can remove the bats safely.

How do I know the bats are gone?

A professional checks the exits over several nights and confirms no bats are returning before the openings are sealed. After sealing, watch for new droppings or sounds, and call if you notice them.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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