Bats play a vital role in Minnesota’s ecosystem and help the economy. There are eight bat species in Minnesota and all of them are insectivores. One bat can eat 1,000 insects in an hour.
Even though bats are vital to Minnesota, roosting bats in your attic should not be ignored. Removing a bat yourself is dangerous, and there are legal considerations since some bats are protected species. The experts at Wildlife Management Services have been resolving wildlife and pest issues for decades.
Professional Bat Removal Services
It is worth hiring professional bat removal services. Our specialist will use or create a bat valve (one-way door) specifically for your home. Once the bat valve is installed, all other entry points will be sealed, allowing bats to exit only through the valve. The removal process typically takes 3–7 days.
After removing the valve, the final entry point will be sealed, leaving your home bat-free. Remember that many states have regulations preventing bat control during maternity season. Call a Wildlife Management Services professional for details in your state. They know the regulations regarding each bat species, ensuring you remain compliant with the laws.
Exclusion Services for Bat Control
Some bats return to the same roost year after year. Preventative exclusion is best to keep bats from entering your home. Because bats are not gnawers like rodents, they only utilize existing entry points to enter your home.
Signs of a Bat Infestation
One of the most apparent signs of a bat infestation is bat guano feces that leaves hard-to-remove stains on vinyl siding, wood, bricks, and other building materials.
You may also notice:
- Smell of ammonia
- Strange noises at dusk
- Oily patches around your home
Bat Problems
Due to the dangers of exposure to guano, it is vital to wear a respirator when in an attic containing bats. Our experts will construct a custom plan to remove the bats and safely seal your home. If a bat is found in your living space, our wildlife specialist will use gloves designed to handle animals and ensure the bat is safely removed. Since bats may carry disease, individuals should never approach them. Bats also bite and scratch when they feel threatened and can easily injure humans. Wildlife Management Services' technicians are trained to humanely remove any bat problems plaguing residential and commercial properties.
What does a bat look like? The United States is home to over forty bat species. Bats have furry bodies ranging from tan to red, brown, and gray. Bats typically have large ears designed for echolocation to compensate for their poor eyesight. As the only mammals capable of flight, bats are very light and have wings. The bone structure of the wing resembles that of a human hand, as there are flaps of skin between the bones. At their tiniest, bats grow between 2.5 and 3.5 inches (6 to 9 cm) in length and have a wingspan of about 8 inches (20 cm). Larger species range from 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) in length and have wingspans between 21 and 23 inches (53 and 58 cm).
Where do bats live? Highly adaptable, bats set up roosts in various environments, such as deserts, woodlands, suburbs, and urban areas. While bats prefer warm temperatures, they survive in temperate environments by hibernating in winter months. If you are wondering where bats prefer living on your property, they can often be found in barns, attics, caves, tree cavities, and the undersides of bridges roosting during winter.
How do bats get into the house? For the most part, bats are nocturnal, and humans sleep through their activity. However, to survive cold winters in various regions, bats enter homes and roost in secluded locations like attics. They can squeeze into openings as tiny as a quarter of an inch in diameter, such as cracks around windows and doors, pipes and electrical wiring that lead inside, and vents. If you suspect bats in your attic or elsewhere on your property, contact us for help.
What damage does a bat cause? One of the most considerable risks from a bat infestation is bat guano. Bat droppings act as a catalyst for the development of the fungus, and human infection occurs when people inhale the spores. Bats also host ectoparasites, like fleas, flies, ticks, and mites, that endanger the health of humans and pets. Finally, bat urine can cause a pervasive and unpleasant smell, while bat droppings stain ceilings and building visages.
Are bats dangerous to people and pets? While bats are beneficial creatures overall, they pose specific health threats. Though rabid dogs cause 99% of rabies-related deaths, bats are still carriers of the disease. Thankfully, even rabid bats refrain from biting humans unless they feel threatened. Your safety and that of your family must be your highest priority. Wildlife Management Services can help you remove bats so that you do not have to worry about whether bats will return and put your family in harm's way.
Is it legal to remove bats? Yes, you can legally remove bats from your house. In Minnesota, you can remove bats at any time of year as long as you confirm it is not a maternity colony roosting in your attic.
How much does bat removal cost? The cost of bat removal varies depending on several factors, such as how long bats have been roosting, how big the colony is, how many potential entry points are on your house, and how much damage needs to be repaired. Call us for an estimate.
Does your homeowner's insurance cover bat removal? It is unlikely that homeowners' insurance will cover the cost of bat removal. However, your insurance may cover the repairs associated with a bat colony. We recommend contacting your insurance company to check your coverage.
"We had a very nice, calm specialist come and remove a bat in our home and then proceed to check all areas. We had confidence in him, appreciated his reassurance and guarantee that should there be a problem, they would be back to solve it!"
—Howard B.
Additional Information
Wildlife Management of Minneapolis Service Area
Minneapolis, St. Paul, Maple Grove, Champlin, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Apple Valley, Eagan, St. Louis Park, Stillwater, Woodbury, Mound, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, White Bear Lake, Plymouth, Wayzata, Burnsville, and Their Surrounding Areas
This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Wildlife Management Services, Inc
