Do Exterminators Get Rid of Bats?

Bats in your attic can feel like a horror movie, but the solution isn’t calling an exterminator with chemicals or traps. Since bats are federally protected in many states, the only safe and legal way to handle them is through exclusion and professional removal.

This article breaks down what “getting rid of bats” really means, why extermination is off the table, and how AAAC Wildlife Removal handles the process with expertise. You’ll also learn why timing, humane methods, and proper cleanup matter if you want your home permanently bat-free.

What “Get Rid of” Really Means in Bat World

When people say they want to “get rid of bats,” they often imagine extermination, yet killing bats is illegal in most states because they are protected wildlife. Bats play a critical ecological role by controlling insect populations, including mosquitoes that spread disease.

Because of this protection status, handling bats requires methods that prioritize their safety while resolving the human conflict.

In the wildlife control industry, “get rid of” means exclusion, which is the process of guiding bats out of a structure and preventing them from returning.

This involves installing one-way devices that let bats exit but block re-entry, followed by sealing off potential entry points. True removal doesn’t mean killing, it means creating a long-term solution that respects both the law and the species’ ecological value.

Why AAAC Doesn’t Just ‘Zap’ Bats (and Why That’s Good)

Killing bats may sound like a quick fix, but it’s not only illegal in most cases, it’s also harmful to both people and the environment. Exclusion is the only method that is humane, lawful, and effective.

Legal Protections and Humane Standards

Most bat species are protected under federal and state laws, including the Endangered Species Act and various wildlife regulations. These laws prohibit poisoning, trapping, or killing bats because many populations are already in decline.

Homeowners who attempt lethal methods risk heavy fines or even criminal charges. Exclusion, by contrast, is recognized as the safe and legal practice for long-term bat control.

Ecological Significance of Bats

Bats play an essential role in keeping ecosystems balanced by consuming thousands of insects each night. Their feeding habits save the agricultural industry billions of dollars annually by reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

Eliminating bats would not only break the law but also disrupt this natural pest control service. Choosing exclusion protects both homes and the environment at the same time.

Avoiding Health Hazards and Property Damage

Lethal methods often result in bats dying inside attics, walls, or crawlspaces, creating unsanitary conditions. Carcasses can produce foul odors, attract secondary pests, and increase the risk of diseases like histoplasmosis from dried guano spores.

This creates expensive cleanup and potential health threats for families. Exclusion avoids these outcomes by allowing bats to leave naturally before sealing entry points.

Proven Effectiveness of Non-Lethal Removal

Exclusion devices, such as one-way doors or bat cones, let bats exit while preventing them from re-entering. Once the colony has safely left, sealing all gaps ensures they cannot return.

This process provides a permanent solution instead of a temporary fix that might lead to recurring infestations. By focusing on prevention and compliance, exclusion stands out as the most reliable approach.

Which Bats Are Protected?

In the United States, several bat species are safeguarded by federal and state laws due to declining populations and ecological importance. Knowing which species are protected highlights why lethal removal is never an option.

Here are some of the most notable protected bats in America:

Indiana Bat – The Indiana bat is federally endangered, with populations shrinking because of habitat loss and White-Nose Syndrome. They often roost in tree bark or caves, making them highly vulnerable during disturbance.

Gray Bat – The gray bat is also federally endangered and relies almost exclusively on cave habitats. Any disruption to these caves can threaten entire colonies, which may include thousands of bats.

Northern Long-Eared Bat – The northern long-eared bat is listed as endangered due to the devastating effects of White-Nose Syndrome. They roost under tree bark and in caves, and their numbers have plummeted across much of their range.

Virginia Big-Eared Bat – This species is federally endangered and found primarily in limited cave regions of the Appalachian Mountains. Its small population size makes it extremely sensitive to human interference and habitat changes.

Mexican Free-Tailed Bat (certain colonies) – While not endangered overall, some colonies are state-protected because of their importance in controlling insect populations. These bats are known for forming massive colonies, such as those in Texas, that are critical to local ecosystems.

How AAAC Removes Bats

AAAC takes a clear-cut, humane approach to bat removal, zero poisons, zero drama. Here’s how they handle it, step by step:

1. Inspection and Entry Point Identification

The first step in AAAC’s process is a detailed inspection of the property to locate every gap, vent, or crack bats are using. Bats can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter-inch, so missing even one entry point risks another infestation. Technicians look for guano stains, strong odors, and exit paths at dusk to create a precise removal map.

This careful assessment ensures that exclusion devices are placed only where bats are actively entering or leaving. It also allows the team to detect structural vulnerabilities that could attract future wildlife issues. Without this step, removal would be incomplete and ineffective.

Pro Tip: Watch your roofline at sunset – you’ll often see exactly where bats are exiting.

2. Installation of One-Way Exclusion Devices

Once entry points are identified, AAAC installs one-way exclusion devices such as bat cones or mesh tubes. These devices let bats fly out naturally at night but prevent them from returning once they leave. Because bats are nocturnal, this step is strategically timed to coincide with their nightly activity.

Exclusion is humane and follows legal guidelines, ensuring bats aren’t harmed in the process. It’s especially critical to avoid maternity season, since young pups cannot fly and could otherwise be trapped inside. This phase directly addresses the infestation while respecting both the species and wildlife laws.

Pro Tip: The most effective exclusions are done after maternity season when all bats are capable of flying out.

3. Sealing and Bat-Proofing the Structure

After the bats have left through the one-way devices, AAAC seals off all remaining entry points with durable materials. Steel mesh, caulking, and reinforced vent covers are used to prevent re-entry and withstand future wear. This step ensures the home is no longer a viable roosting site.

The sealing process is meticulous, covering even small gaps that might be overlooked by a general pest service. By addressing these weak points, AAAC reduces the chance of reinfestation from the same colony or new bats in the area. Once sealed, the structure is officially “bat-proof.”

Pro Tip: Long-term success depends on sealing every gap, even ones you think are too small for bats to use.

4. Cleanup and Attic Restoration

With the bats excluded and entry points secured, AAAC turns to cleanup and sanitization. Bat guano is hazardous because it can carry fungal spores that cause histoplasmosis, a serious respiratory illness. The team removes droppings, disinfects contaminated areas, and restores damaged insulation to ensure the attic is safe.

This step is as important as the exclusion itself because it eliminates lingering odors and prevents secondary pests like insects from feeding on guano. In cases of heavy contamination, attic restoration also improves energy efficiency by replacing degraded insulation. The result is a healthier, cleaner living environment.

Pro Tip: Professional guano cleanup is essential – DIY attempts can stir up dangerous airborne spores.

What Won’t Work (and Why Your Weird DIY Isn’t the Answer)

Many homeowners try quick fixes to get rid of bats, but most of these methods are ineffective or even harmful. Relying on shortcuts not only wastes time but can also make the situation worse.

Here are common DIY tactics that don’t work and why they fail:

• Using Mothballs or Strong Scents: Mothballs, ammonia, or peppermint oil are often suggested as bat repellents, but studies show bats quickly adapt or relocate temporarily. These chemicals also pose health risks to humans and pets when used indoors.
  
• Hanging Ultrasonic Devices: Ultrasonic sound machines are marketed to drive bats away, yet research confirms bats often ignore or adapt to the noise. In some cases, the sound disrupts their navigation briefly, but it doesn’t provide a long-term solution.
  
• Bright Lights or Strobe Effects: Flooding attics with lights or strobes may disturb bats initially, but they usually shift deeper into the structure or return later. This method only causes stress to the animals without solving the root issue.
  
• Closing Holes Before Bats Exit: Sealing entry points during the day traps bats inside, often leading to deaths and foul odors in walls or attics. It’s also illegal and inhumane, especially during maternity season when pups cannot escape.
  
• Homemade Traps or Nets: Trying to catch bats manually with nets or sticky traps is dangerous and rarely successful. Handling bats without training increases the risk of bites and potential rabies exposure.

Final Take: Exterminators Don’t Kill Bats – Experts Exclude Them

Exterminators don’t actually kill bats because it’s illegal, unsafe, and ecologically damaging. Instead, professional services like AAAC Wildlife Removal focus on exclusion, sealing, and cleanup, ensuring bats leave without harm while keeping homes secure.

This process respects wildlife laws, protects public health, and delivers a lasting solution that DIY methods simply can’t achieve.

From understanding why bats are protected to recognizing the failures of repellents, lights, or traps, the evidence points to one clear truth: humane exclusion is the only effective approach.

AAAC’s step-by-step method – inspection, exclusion devices, sealing, and cleanup – proves why expertise matters in resolving bat problems. For homeowners, this means peace of mind, legal compliance, and a safe, bat-free home.