How Much Does It Cost To Get Rid Of Bats?
Last Updated: January 21, 2022
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Other than startling you, a single bat that gets trapped inside of the house doesn't pose much of a problem. But where there's one bat there's often others and a bat colony can be problematic indeed. Bats carry rabies, ticks, mites, and bacteria and their guano (droppings) can cause a respiratory disease called histoplasmosis. Bat extermination is illegal in most states and trapping and releasing is ineffective, as bats are known to return to nesting sites as far as 150 miles away. To get rid of bats you need a specialized pro to perform bat exclusion.
What to Expect From Bat Exclusion #
While your local exterminator may be skilled at removing ants, spiders, cockroaches, and other creepy crawlies, bat exclusion is specialist work with unique equipment, licensing, and liability risks. Only companies that advertise bat control should be considered. Even those that regularly rid homes of raccoons, squirrels, rats, mice, and other mammals may be unprepared to remove the world's only flying mammal.
After finding an experienced bat removal expert, you can expect the following services to be performed:
- Observe your home/property after sunset (the time when bats are most active) to determine the bats' entrance/exit holes.
- Seal all secondary access points, including gaps, cracks, holes, roof returns, and vents.
- Install special exclusion traps that permit bats to exit but not re-enter the structure.
- Remove the exclusion traps after 1 or 2 weeks; seal the remaining holes.
- Clean up the mess left by the bats (guano, urine, dead animals) and repair any structural damage (to insulation, walls, ceilings, and other components) caused by them. Bat mite control might be needed as part of cleanup work.
- Note that the actual exclusion strategies used may vary depending on the structure layout and the severity of the bat problem.
Bat Removal Average Costs #
- Exclusion of a single bat or a small colony starts at $100 to $350. Removing a medium-sized colony runs $500 to $1,500 while dealing with a large colony costs $2,000 to $8,000 or more.
- The actual cost of bat removal depends on the number of bats and the amount of seal-up and cleanup work required.
- A bat house ($25 to $150) provides bats with an alternative residence and can be installed as part of an exclusion strategy.
- A single bat that flies into your home accidentally can be safely captured and released without professional help. Bat Conservation International (batcon.org) explains how to remove a bat from your house. The site also provides information on DIY bat exclusion and other topics related to bats in buildings.