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Bats in your attic or walls create noise, odor, and potential health risks from guano accumulation. They’re also protected by law in many areas, which means you can’t harm them or remove them during maternity season when flightless young are present. Getting rid of bats requires patience, the right timing, and humane exclusion methods.
The good news is that bats don’t want to live in your house permanently. They’re just looking for safe roosting spots. If you make your home unsuitable while providing alternatives, they’ll leave on their own.
1. Identify Entry Points at Dusk
Watch your house at dusk when bats emerge to feed. Look for gaps where they exit – often under eaves, behind fascia boards, through attic vents, or gaps in siding. Bats can squeeze through openings as small as 3/8 inch, so look carefully.
Mark each entry point with chalk or tape while you watch. You need to know every hole they’re using before you start exclusion. Missing even one entry point means bats will find their way back in. Take photos so you remember exactly where each gap is located.
2. Install One-Way Exclusion Devices
One-way doors let bats exit but prevent re-entry. These devices are tubes or netting placed over entry points. Bats crawl or fly out through the bottom but can’t figure out how to get back in through the narrow opening.
Install these devices in late summer or early spring, after maternity season ends but before hibernation begins. Never install exclusion devices from May through August when flightless young may be trapped inside. The devices stay in place for 5-7 days to ensure all bats have exited.
3. Seal All Entry Gaps
Once you’re confident all bats have exited through the one-way devices, remove the devices and seal every gap with caulk, expanding foam, hardware cloth, or other appropriate materials. Bats have excellent homing instincts and will return to familiar roosts if given the chance.
Be thorough – check under roof lines, around chimneys, behind shutters, and at utility penetrations. Bats often use multiple entry points. A complete seal prevents bats from returning and stops other wildlife from moving in.
4. Use Bat Houses as Alternative
Give evicted bats somewhere else to go by installing bat houses on your property. Mount them 12-20 feet high on poles or building sides, facing south or southeast to capture morning sun. Bats prefer locations near water and away from bright lights.
Bat houses provide alternative roosting that keeps bats around for insect control (a single bat eats thousands of mosquitoes nightly) while moving them out of your attic. It may take a year or two for bats to discover and occupy the house, but it significantly reduces the chance they’ll try to re-enter your home.
5. Install Deterrent Lights
Bats prefer dark, quiet roosting spots. Install bright motion-activated lights in attics, eaves, and other areas where bats have roosted. The constant interruption of light makes the space less appealing.
LED lights work best because they don’t generate heat that could attract bats seeking warmth. Position lights to illuminate previously dark corners and crevices. Combine with ultrasonic devices for maximum deterrent effect.
6. Apply Ultrasonic Repellents
Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds that irritate bats but are inaudible to humans. Place these devices in attics, wall voids, and other areas where bats have been active. The constant sound pressure encourages bats to find quieter quarters.
These devices work best as part of a multi-pronged approach, not as a standalone solution. Bats may become accustomed to the sound over time. Use them during exclusion efforts and for several weeks after sealing entry points to discourage any bats that might try to return.
7. Remove Food Sources
Bats are attracted to areas with abundant insects. Reduce outdoor lighting that attracts moths and other flying insects. Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed. The fewer food sources near your home, the less attractive it becomes to bats.
This is a long-term strategy rather than immediate removal. But combined with exclusion, it makes your property less desirable than neighboring areas. Bats are practical – they’ll go where food is easiest to find.
8. Clean and Deodorize the Area
After bats are excluded, clean up guano and urine stains while wearing protective gear (gloves, mask, goggles). Bat droppings can harbor fungal spores that cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory disease. Wet droppings with a light mist of water to prevent dust before sweeping.
Use an enzyme-based cleaner to break down organic material and eliminate odor. Standard disinfectants don’t neutralize the proteins that create persistent smells. Proper cleanup removes scent markers that might attract bats back to the same spot.
9. Call a Wildlife Removal Professional
Bat exclusion is tricky, especially in multi-story homes or complex rooflines. Wildlife professionals have the equipment to safely reach high entry points and the experience to identify all access areas. They also know local regulations about protected species.
Professionals typically guarantee their work, returning to address any bats that find alternate entry points. They can also assess whether you have a maternity colony that must be left undisturbed until young can fly. The cost is worth it for peace of mind and legal compliance.
10. Prevent Future Entry
Inspect your home’s exterior annually for new gaps, especially after storms or as wood ages and shifts. Trim tree branches away from the roof – bats use them as launching points to access eaves. Keep chimney caps in good repair and attic vents screened.
Regular maintenance prevents new colonies from establishing. Bats are creatures of habit, so keeping them out long-term requires vigilance. An annual inspection in spring, before maternity season begins, catches problems before they become infestations.
Legal Considerations
Many bat species are protected by state and federal laws. In the US, it’s illegal to kill bats or disturb maternity colonies during breeding season. Violations can result in significant fines. Check with your state wildlife agency for specific regulations and timing requirements.
Some states require permits for bat exclusion work. Professional wildlife removers know these requirements and handle the paperwork. If doing it yourself, research local laws thoroughly. The goal is humane removal that complies with all regulations.
Health Concerns
Bat guano can contain histoplasma capsulatum fungus, which causes histoplasmosis when spores are inhaled. This is primarily a concern during cleanup of large accumulations. Rabies is rare in bats but possible – never handle bats with bare hands.
If you find a bat in your living space, don’t panic. Close interior doors to contain it, open exterior doors and windows, and let it find its own way out. Only attempt capture if the bat has had contact with people or pets, as it may need testing for rabies.
Bats are beneficial creatures that deserve humane treatment. With proper exclusion techniques, you can remove them from your home while keeping them in your ecosystem where they control insect populations naturally.