Bat Removal

Bats are nocturnal flying animals, with more than 40 species inhabiting the United States. Some of the species can live for up to 30 years, so bat removal is key, or you could be dealing with this pest for a long time.

The two most common types of bats found in New England are the little brown bat and the big brown bat. When not invading your home, both species can live in colonies of hundreds of individuals in caves, cliffsides or trees. They are insectivores, catching large quantities of night-flying insects, including the dreaded mosquito. They are generally considered animals you should leave alone in the wild, but bat control becomes a necessity when they invade your home.

While bats may be beneficial for insect control, they can also pose serious health risks to you, your family and your pets. The primary danger from these pests is rabies, which is almost always fatal for humans. It’s impossible to determine if a bat has rabies without testing, so do not approach or try to remove them. A nip from a bat, which may not even be felt, can transmit the disease.

Aside from this danger, their droppings, or guano, pose several problems. Exposure to the fungus that grows in guano can lead to histoplasmosis, a lung disease. Guano can also damage your home, and one bat produces dozens of droppings a day. With a large colony of bats under your roof, this can add up quickly and do significant damage to your structure.

So how do you know if bats have entered your home or business? You’re less likely to see bats than birds, since bats are nocturnal. The most telltale sign would be identifying the long, thin, black pellets of guano near any potential entry points to your facility. The droppings look similar to mouse droppings but contain shiny “flecks” of insect pieces from the prey they eat. You may also hear squeaking or scratching or see stains on attic walls from bat urine.

The most effective method for dealing with bats is prevention. The best time to bat-proof a building is in autumn, after the bats have left to hibernate for the winter. Homeowners should seal any cracks or holes near their attics. It is important to let a licensed nuisance wildlife professional assess your bat infestation, especially since some bat species are protected by laws depending on the state you live in. Bats cannot be killed or poisoned. They must be properly excluded.

Once established in a home, bats can be very difficult and dangerous to remove, leaving you frantically asking, “is there a bat exterminator near me?” The good news is Braman is here to help. While previously known as exterminators, the technology and methods have changed, leading us to refer to our expert team as pest control technicians. Regardless of the title, let our experts help you with our bat removal methods; you can rest easy knowing that your problem is a thing of the past.

If you think you have an infestation, we know how to remove bats safely, so contact Braman immediately.