Bat Control

Because bats are active at night, homeowners often notice signs of an infestation before they ever see a bat. Some of the most common signs that bats may be roosting nearby include:

• Mysterious Scratching Noises: Bats hidden inside walls, ceilings, or chimneys may create faint scratching, crawling, or fluttering sounds. These noises are often noticed around dusk when bats leave their roosts to feed or at dawn when they return.
• Guano Accumulation: Bat droppings, known as guano, typically collect in concentrated areas beneath roosting sites or entry points. Homeowners may find guano on porches, decks, siding, or attic insulation near where bats are entering or nesting.
• Dark Grease Stains: As bats repeatedly enter and exit small openings, the natural oils from their fur can leave behind dark brown or black stains. These marks are commonly found around gaps near rooflines, vents, and other access points.
• Chirping Sounds at Dusk: Shortly before sunset, bats preparing to leave their roost may produce high-pitched squeaking or chirping sounds. Hearing these noises near your roof or attic area can be a sign of an active bat colony.

Because of their small size and flexible bodies, bats can enter homes through surprisingly tiny openings. They typically do not create their own entry points like mice or squirrels but rely on existing gaps and areas of structural damage. Some of the most common places bats enter include:

• Gaps in the Roofline and Fascia: The areas where your roof connects with the fascia board can develop gaps over time due to weather exposure, shifting, or deterioration. These small openings can provide bats with direct access to your attic or other enclosed areas.
• Damaged or Unsealed Soffits: Soffits located beneath roof overhangs help protect your home from outside elements, but damaged or loose sections can create openings where bats can enter. These vulnerable areas may allow bats to bypass your home’s exterior defenses.
• Ridge Caps and Roof Vents: Roof vents, ridge vents, and gable vents are designed to provide airflow while keeping pests out. However, damaged screens, worn materials, or loose components can create entry points where bats can access upper areas of your home.
• Unprotected Chimneys: Chimneys without proper caps or protective covers can provide bats with an easy way inside. Once they enter, bats may become trapped or move into fireplaces, attics, or other areas of the home.

Bats play an important role in the environment by helping control insect populations. However, when they roost inside your home or business, they can create health concerns. The two primary risks include:

• Histoplasmosis: Histoplasmosis is a respiratory illness caused by breathing in fungal spores from Histoplasma capsulatum, which can grow in areas where bat guano accumulates. When dried guano is disturbed during cleaning, repairs, or moving contaminated materials, these spores can become airborne and create potential health concerns.
• Rabies: While rabies is uncommon in bats, they are one of the most recognized wildlife carriers of this serious disease. Any bat that behaves unusually, appears unable to fly, is active during daylight hours, or allows close contact should be treated with caution. If a person is bitten or scratched by a bat, prompt medical attention is recommended.

The presence of bats does not usually create legal problems, but improper removal methods can lead to serious consequences. Because bat populations have declined in many areas, numerous species are protected under state wildlife rules and federal laws. Homeowners should be aware of the following legal risks:

• Heavy Fines: Attempting to kill bats, capture them using prohibited methods, or block their access while they are still inside a structure can lead to significant fines and legal penalties for each violation.
• Property Damages & Code Violations: Sealing entry points before bats have been properly removed can trap them inside walls, attics, or other areas of your home. This can result in dead bats, unpleasant odors, sanitation concerns, and potential violations of local health and building regulations that may require expensive cleanup and repairs.

Bat “blackout dates” are legally required time periods when removing bats through exclusion methods is not allowed. These seasonal restrictions help protect bat colonies during important stages of reproduction and survival.

When mother bats give birth in late spring and summer, their pups cannot fly or leave the roost. If bats are excluded too early, adults may be locked out while their young remain inside, creating a dangerous situation for the colony. In Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, & Arkansas, blackout periods typically run from May 1st to August 15th and October 15th to March 31st.

If you find signs of a bat infestation during the summer blackout period, avoid sealing entry points on your own. While regulations may prevent exclusion work until the protected period ends, the experts at Schendel Pest Services can still assist by:

• Comprehensive Inspections: Our technicians can perform a detailed inspection of your property to identify active bat entry points, exit locations, and other areas where bats may gain access in the future.
• Partial Sealing: We can legally close off secondary gaps and inactive openings that bats are not currently using. This helps strengthen your home’s exterior and prepares the property for complete exclusion once permitted.
• Interior Structural Reinforcement: If you are concerned about bats moving from the attic into your living areas, our team can identify and seal interior access points. This helps create a barrier between your family and the bat colony.
• Priority Scheduling: We can develop a plan that follows all wildlife regulations and schedule your exclusion service as soon as the blackout period ends, helping you address the problem as quickly as possible.