Bats are one of natureās most powerful insect control systems, and this behavior can make your home and garden much more comfortable. However, your home is no place for a bat, and if one has chosen your interior as its new safehouse, timely bat removal is your best option. If you suspect you have one or two bats, you are likely underestimating the problem. Bats live in colonies, and seeing or hearing one or two bats is often a sign of an infestation that comprises dozens or even hundreds of bats.
Professional bat removal is about more than just reducing your mental stress. You also save yourself from the many potential illnesses or diseases that bats can carry. As you consider your options, both professional and DIY strategies may be able to help.
Here are some tactics that you can try, what professionals will do differently, and guidance on why this is a job best left to the pros.
| In This Article: Readers will learn how bat infestation is an urgent risk to human health and home structures. This article also explains why DIY methods often fail without a well-structured prevention plan and that professional bat removal provides a safe, effective, and permanent solution. |
Understanding the Risk of Bats
If you have bats in your home, it may be tempting to downplay the problem. They do not attack people unprovoked and eat insects. So what is the harm? Bats can be some of the most problematic pests, as they carry a wide range of diseases. Rabies is the most notorious, which is always fatal if left untreated (or treated too late).
However, humans can also get a serious respiratory disease called histoplasmosis from bats. When you inhale fungal spores from bat droppings, you may develop a pneumonia-like illness. Even if you cannot see droppings, your homeās air circulation will help those spores travel.
Homeowners must also be wary of the structural toll of bat droppings. Moisture and weight can cause rot or long-term damage to the house.
These are just a few of the risks that bats pose. Given their severity and how quickly a bat colony can grow, acting fast at the first sign of an infestation is non-negotiable.
DIY Bat Removal Options
If you spot bats, you do have some choices for handling the matter yourself, though it is important to bear in mind the aforementioned risks associated with bat removal. You should also note that in many locations, killing a bat is against the law! Bats must be humanely removed. To start, you can try some of the following.
One-way doors
The most common way to keep bats out is to identify their entry points and install a one-way door. This way, they can leave but cannot come back in. Over time, they will stop trying and find a new home.
Deterrents
Bright lights, constant vibration, and unwanted noise can deter bats, though the effectiveness of these methods is contested among professionals. Similarly, removing the appeal of your property through tertiary methods, such as insect control, can make your home less appealing.
Obstructions
Once you know where bats are entering (and you have removed them), seal the gaps and cracks. This prevents a repeat infestation.
Professional Bat Removal Strategies
While homeowners do have options for handling bats on their own, professionals have a much higher success rate. Some of the additional options the pros can use include:
Capture
Homeowners should never capture live bats, but pest control professionals have methods to secure and remove them. This works for single bats as well as entire colonies.
Entry inhibition
Professionals often use one-way doors, too, but they can also create options customized to your specific home, such as cones that facilitate bat exit.
Long-term adjustment
Pest control professionals understand what caused bats to enter your home and where they might sneak in. Experienced professionals understand bat behavior and are adept at finding entry points that are easy to overlook. In addition to removing the bats, they can also perform an extensive audit to identify vulnerabilities and remove your problem for good.
Why Go with the Pros?
Yes, you can attempt DIY methods yourself, but there are important reasons to leave this task to the professionals.
They know the law: You will not have to worry about running afoul of legal challenges should you attempt bat removal the wrong way.- They can relocate live bats: Professionals are the only ones who can move a living bat from your residence to a new, safe location.
- They have proper gear: Homeowners usually lack the personal protective equipment necessary to safeguard themselves from bat-borne illnesses.
- They perform other services: Bat removal is just one part of professional pest control. They can also clean your home of guano (bat droppings) to prevent lasting damage.
Get Help with Bat Removal for Your Safety and Comfort
If you suspect that you might have bats in your home (or if you have already seen them), the best time to act is now. Contact Spartan Animal & Pest Control to get ahead of a bat infestation and remove your bats in accordance with your areaās legal standards.
