Independent guides — we are not an exterminator. If someone has trouble breathing after a sting, call 911. Safety basics

Wildlife · Pest guide

Bats control

Bats in the attic: legal exclusion timing, guano and health risks.

When to call a pro

Bats at a glance

Scientific name
Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat) and others
Size
4 to 5 inches body; wingspan up to 13 inches
Appearance
Brown fur, leathery wings; fly at dusk
Where found
Attics, eaves, behind shutters, chimneys
  • Health riskHigh
  • Property damageModerate
  • Do it yourself?Call a pro
When bats are active Peak: May–Aug
  1. Jan Rare
  2. Feb Rare
  3. Mar Low
  4. Apr Active
  5. May Peak
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Peak
  8. Aug Peak
  9. Sep Active (this month)
  10. Oct Low
  11. Nov Rare
  12. Dec Rare

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Bats leaving the roofline at dusk
  • Guano piles below entry points
  • Stains around small gaps
  • Squeaking in the attic

Call a professional when

  • A colony living in the attic or walls
  • A bat found in a room where someone slept
How to choose a pest control company

Safety first

If a bat was in a room with a sleeping person or a child, call your doctor or health department about rabies. Many states protect bats and limit exclusion during summer pup season.

Our bats guides are being researched. Meanwhile, the profile above covers the signs, the risks and when to call a professional.

Keep bats out

  1. Seal gaps after bats leave in fall
  2. Screen chimneys and vents
  3. Install a bat house away from the home

Often confused or found together

All wildlife
Birds Pigeons, woodpeckers and nesting birds: deterrents that are legal and humane. Squirrels Squirrels in the attic, the walls and the bird feeder. Raccoons Attics, chimneys and trash cans: humane eviction and rabies safety.