General Bat Questions

Q. Why did the Creator of Heaven and Earth make bats, anyway?

Q. When are bats a problem?

Q. Why did the bats pick my house?

Q. Why do I need to get rid of bats?

Q. When do bats come into houses?

Q. When is the best time to get rid of bats?

Q. Where do bats live?

Q. Where do bats usually enter a building?

Q.  How do I know if I have bats on my property?

Q. Where can I get help with my bat problem?

Health & Safety

Q. What are the health risks of having bats in my residential or commercial building?

Q. Will the bats attack me?

Q. Who is responsible for this bat problem?  

Animal Control Products and Methods

Q. Which poisons do you recommend to kill bats?

Q. Which bat repellents are the best?

Q. Which methods do you use to exterminate bats?

Q. Which methods do you use to get rid of bats?

Q. Who should I call for help?

Q. Why should I hire a professional to get rid of bats?

Property Damage

Q. What damage can bats cause?

Q. What is this going to do to my property value?

Q. What will a wildlife removal technician do about the bats in my building?

Q. How can a wildlife removal technician help me get rid of the bats?

Costs

Q. What does it cost for an initial on-site bat inspection?

Q. What does it cost for an initial over-the-phone bat control consultation?

Q. Who pays for my bat problem?

Q. What FREE animal control services does your company offer to the public?

Q. How much will it cost to get rid of the bats?

 

General Bat Questions

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Q. Why did the Creator of Heaven and Earth make bats, anyway?

A. Bats are amazing creatures—the world’s only true flying mammals.  They eat their own weight in insects and keep nature in balance.  I love bats and am so glad to get to work with and be around these unusual animals.

Q. When are bats a problem?

A. Bats in the great outdoors are one of nature’s most wonderful creatures. Bats in buildings inhabited by humans are always a problem. Sometimes they don’t stay in attics, but hide in closets, shoes or other place, and give people an unpleasant surprise in the morning. When bats get into living areas and land on people at night while they are sleeping, it becomes an urgent problem.  Often rabies is first transferred to pets as they are “playing” with bats.  The disease is then passed on to their families.

Q. Why did the bats pick my house?

A. All animals are opportunists.  They are looking for a safe place to live just like humans. In the case of bats, they usually pick a particular building because of structural maintenance defects (small holes, loose vents, loose shingles, etc.) provide them with an opportunity. You gave them a reason to come and haven’t given them a reason to leave.  They want a safe, warm place to raise their young and be sheltered.  They will only leave if forced to by weather, or change of season, or if extracted by an animal removal specialist, like us. They belong in the wild, not in your house, school, church or other building.  You do not have to put up with animals.  We will evict them for you.

Q. Why do I need to get rid of bats?

A. You need to get rid of the bats because they will damage your property, endanger your health, and open you to lawsuits should a visitor to your home or client of your business be bitten or otherwise become sick.

Q. When do bats come into houses?

A. Bats seek shelter to raise young.  In many parts of the United States the bats come in spring and leave in fall.  In other parts of the nation, the bats don’t migrate and they roost in occupied buildings year-round.

Q. When is the best time to get rid of bats?

A. The sooner the better.  It is best to evict them in early spring before they have young or in the fall after young have developed and are self-sufficient.  However, any time they pose a serious threat or hazard, bat removal can begin. The longer the bats occupy an area, the more apt they are to return year after year.

Q. Where do bats live?

A.  Bats live nearly everywhere people can live. They are especially fond of attics, chimneys, wall cavities, or high-rise office and apartment buildings. They also live in a number of natural settings such as trees or caves.  Bats especially love rich mild climates with lots of insects.

Q. Where do bats usually enter a building?

A. Bats typically enter buildings through small gaps or cracks in the structure which can be less than 1 inch in diameter. They usually choose high places to roost because they drop when starting flight and require a vertical “runway.”

Q.  How do I know if I have bats in my attic/wall/belfry?

A. You will see bats flying at dusk.  You will find bat guano, which looks like small grains of rice that powder when touched.  You may find evidence in the attic.  People sometimes notice small holes in their structure.  You might start hearing sounds—scratching, chattering, or screeching. It could be a ghost, but probably an animal. Baby bats make an almost ultra-sonic chitter. The smell of guano and other remains quickly becomes obvious, smelling something like gerbils or rats.

Q. Where can I get help with my bat problem?
           
A. You can get help from us, Allstate Bat Control. We are professional bat removers and have trained technicians who can help you get rid of the bats, keep them out and clean up the mess. We are professional bat removers and do this type of work everyday.  Remember that your local dog catcher or division of wildlife officer is not trained in bat removal.  It would be in your best interest to contact a bat removal specialist.  We have the training, experience and equipment necessary to deal with your problem quickly and efficiently. We are here to help you protect your property.

Health & Safety

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Q. What are the health risks of having bats in my residential or commercial building?

A. Rabies is probably the best known health risk from bats, but is certainly not the only one.  Bat guano (bat droppings) resembles mouse droppings in size and color, but instead of being hard, it is powdery.  When disturbed, fine particles become airborne.  These particles are so fine they are easily inhaled and can cause a disease called Histoplasmosis, a nasty respiratory illness.  Also, bats carry ticks, mites and other insects and bacteria, all of which can be harmful to humans and pets. 

Q. Will the bats attack me?

A. Bats native to North America typically will not attack humans or pets. Bats are peaceful animals who want to be left alone to eat insects. However, any wild animal will bite and scratch to defend itself.  Do not pick up a live bat.  Be careful about surprising or disturbing a roosting bat. 

Q. Who is responsible for this bat problem? 

A. Well, the property owner is responsible.  Cities, counties, states or government agencies are responsible for domestic animals, such as dogs, or big game, like deer, elk or cougars, not for pest wild animal removal.  Wild animal removal is part of private property rights and responsibilities, similar to having cockroaches exterminated. Wild animal removal is best performed by trained professionals who specialize in the removal of pest animals.  

Animal Control Products and Methods

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Q. Which poisons do you recommend to kill bats?

A. Bats are protected by federal and state laws and generally it is illegal to kill them. Poisons will leave you with a building full of dead and dying bats which is not the solution to your problem.  Besides, you can never kill enough bats to solve your problem. The only solution for bats is to get them out and keep them out.

Q. Which bat repellents are the best?

A. There are no effective, long-term repellents generally available on the market.  They are short lasting and scatter or disorient bats, spreading them throughout the structure.  We have a special three-part mixture we have developed and use as part of our five step process of total bat removal.  On certain occasions repellents are suitable for temporary, middle-of-the-night roosts, like under porches, but not for den or living-quarter sites. Repellents alone are not the solution to a bat problem. The best solution is blocking them out.

Q. Which methods do you use to exterminate bats?

A. Don’t exterminate bats.  Bats are very important animals.  They are beneficial to the environment and protected by law.  We do not kill or exterminate bats or recommend that this be done.  Bats can be removed from buildings and returned to the wild successfully, to the benefit of both bats and humans.

Q. Which methods do you use to get rid of bats?

A. Professional, humane methods including venting, trapping, structural repair, sealants, disinfectants, taste deterrents, insecticides (for bat mites, not the bats themselves) and other techniques.

Q. Who should I call for help?

A. Call Allstate Bat Control. We are professional bat control technicians and we are trained help you get rid of the bats, keep them out and clean up the mess.
 
Q. Why should I hire a professional to get rid of bats?

A. I deal with bats in a humane and safe way. People who don’t understand correct removal techniques kill hundreds of bats each year, which is illegal as well as foolish.  You should not kill them. Bats are essential to our environment and valuable for insect control, especially mosquitoes and during large moth hatches.   You want the bats out, not dead.  To keep them out, all access must be blocked.  This is a difficult, technical process because bats can use very small access holes, the size of a quarter. We want them in the environment, not in your home. We will get the bats out of your building.

Property Damage

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Q. What damage can bats cause?

A. Bats leave guano and urine in attics and walls, creating smell and damaging walls, ceilings, insulation and other structural components. 

Q. What is this going to do to my property value?

A. A building infested by bats can lose up to 10% of its value and becomes difficult to sell.  No one wants to buy a bat house, would you?

 Q. What will a wildlife removal technician do about the bats in my building?

A. All animal removal projects are custom and the cost of bat removal varies.    I can provide a free analysis over the phone if you send digital pictures of your problem. We will perform an on-site inspection to assess your problem, then work to remove the bats and keep them out using professional, humane methods.  We also clean up the mess to make your home or other building safe for your family or coworkers.

 Q. How can a wildlife removal technician help me get rid of the bats?

A. We will get the bats out of your building. You want the bats out, not dead.  To keep them out, all access must be blocked.  This is a difficult, technical process because bats can use very small access holes, the size of a quarter. Bats are essential to our environment and valuable for insect control.  We want them in the environment, not in your home.

Costs

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Q. What does it cost for an initial on-site bat inspection?

A. For specific information, see our Pricing Page.

Q. What does it cost for an initial over-the-phone bat control consultation?

A. FREE!  Send me 5-10 pictures via e-mail and I will review them and call you to recommend a solution and give you an estimate.  Pictures should include possible bat entrances, all four sides of building, attic (potentially), or other areas you think might be important.

Q. Who pays for my bat problem?

A. Bat colonies are the responsibility of the property owner.  You can attempt to remove and clean up the problem yourself, but I recommend that you contact us, your bat removal specialist.  We are trained to solve bat problems like yours.  Typically bat removal starts with an inspection and evaluation, starting at $250.  It can be more depending on your location.  You may want to contact your property insurance carrier; your policy may include coverage for removal and clean up of pest animals.

Q. What FREE bat control services does your company offer?

A. If you find an animal problem on your property, take 5-10 digital pictures and e-mail them to us (use the Contact Us page).  We will call you on the phone and discuss your situation for a few minutes and suggest a plan of action, as time allows.

Q. How much will it cost to get rid of the bats?

A. Prices vary depending on your location, number of animals and severity of the problem. I can give you a FREE estimate over the phone using digital pictures you e-mail me. For additional information, see our Pricing Page

Common Bat Myths:

Myth: Bats protect my home from mosquitoes and other insects.

Fact:  Bats do eat tremendous numbers of insects, including mosquitoes, but they are not trainable animals.  They won’t just eat your mosquitoes.  They will travel as far as 20-30 miles a night feeding on all types of insects.  Remember, bats are wild animals, not pets. They don’t watch over your house, protecting it like a guard dog. 

Myth: A bat house will attract bats and protect my home from bats.

Fact: In my experience, bat houses are not a good idea in a neighborhood.
As a general rule, bats don’t really take to bat houses.  Also, bats will not vacate your attic to go live in the bat house you installed outside. Incidentally, if you do install a bat house, and it actually works and the bats take up residence, multiply and then spread to adjacent human homes, you may be liable for injury, illness, clean-up and removal.

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