Bat Removal in Wisconsin: What Homeowners Need to Know
Bats are an important part of Wisconsin’s ecosystem. They eat large numbers of insects and can help naturally control mosquitoes and other flying pests. But while bats belong in Wisconsin’s environment, they do not belong inside your attic, walls, or living space.
If you have heard scratching or squeaking in your attic, noticed bats flying out of your roof at dusk, or found bat droppings around your home, you may have a bat infestation.
Bat removal in Wisconsin is different from dealing with many other pests because bats are protected under Wisconsin law. You cannot simply seal up an opening while bats are inside or use methods designed to kill the colony.
So, what should you do if you think you have bats?
The first step is to have your home inspected by a professional.
Why Are Bats Protected in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is home to several species of bats, and some of Wisconsin’s cave-dwelling bats are listed as threatened. Populations have also been severely impacted by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has caused dramatic declines in bat populations.
Because of these conservation concerns, Wisconsin has specific rules governing bat exclusion.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources prohibits normal bat exclusion work during the maternity period, when mother bats may be caring for young that cannot yet fly. The restriction runs June 1 through August 15. Normal exclusion work can resume August 16.
This timing is extremely important.
If a homeowner seals up the holes bats are using during the maternity period, adult bats may be able to escape while their flightless babies remain trapped inside. The mothers will then desperately try to get back to their young, potentially resulting in more bats entering the living space.
Even worse, the young bats can die inside the structure, creating odors and additional sanitation problems.
That’s why professional bat exclusion in Wisconsin needs to be performed correctly and at the appropriate time of year.
There are limited exceptions for situations involving health and safety risks, so homeowners should not assume that every situation has to wait until August 16. A professional can help determine what options are appropriate for your particular situation.
When Can Bats Be Removed in Wisconsin?
For normal colony exclusion, the key date to remember is August 16.
From August 16 through May 31, homeowners have a much larger window to address a bat infestation through humane exclusion.
That doesn’t mean you should wait until August 16 to do anything.
In fact, an inspection can be performed before August 16.
An inspection allows us to determine:
- Where the bats are entering the building
- Where they are roosting
- How many potential entry points exist
- Whether there are signs of a larger colony
- Whether there is evidence of bat guano or other contamination
- What repairs or exclusion work will eventually be needed
- Whether the situation presents an immediate health or safety concern
Knowing where the bats are getting in is the first step toward solving the problem permanently.
How Does Professional Bat Removal Work?
Bat removal isn’t simply a matter of catching bats and taking them somewhere else.
In most cases, the correct approach is exclusion.
Bat exclusion is a humane process that allows bats to leave a structure while preventing them from getting back inside.
At Erdye’s Pest Control, our process starts with a thorough inspection of the property. We look closely at the roofline, soffits, fascia, vents, chimney areas, siding, roof intersections, and other areas where bats may find small openings.
Bats can take advantage of surprisingly small gaps. Once we identify the entry points, we can develop an exclusion plan designed specifically for that building.
During an appropriate exclusion period, one-way exclusion devices can be installed over the bats’ primary entry points. These devices allow bats to leave the structure but prevent them from coming back inside.
Secondary openings can then be sealed using appropriate materials.
The goal is not simply to get the bats out for a few days. The goal is to bat-proof the structure so they can’t return.
The Wisconsin DNR recommends allowing one-way devices to remain in place for approximately 7–10 days before permanently closing the primary entry points, provided conditions are appropriate and the bats have exited.
Why You Shouldn’t Just Seal the Hole
One of the biggest mistakes we see homeowners make is finding a hole where bats are entering and immediately sealing it.
That can create a much bigger problem.
If bats are still inside the structure, sealing their exit can trap them inside. During maternity season, it can also separate mothers from their young.
Trapped bats may begin looking for another way out. Unfortunately, that “other way out” can sometimes lead directly into your home.
You may suddenly start finding bats in bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, or other areas of the house.
A professional bat inspection can help determine which openings need to be addressed and when they should be sealed.
What Happens If You Don’t Remove Bats?
Ignoring a bat problem doesn’t necessarily mean the problem will go away.
Bats are creatures of habit. Once they find a building that provides a warm, protected place to roost, they may continue returning to that location.
A bat infestation can result in an accumulation of bat guano, or bat droppings, in attics and other areas.
Bat droppings can create unpleasant odors and sanitation concerns. Disturbing accumulated bat or bird droppings can also create exposure to Histoplasma, the fungus associated with histoplasmosis. The CDC specifically identifies disturbing bat droppings as a potential source of exposure and recommends preventing droppings from accumulating in the first place.
Bats can also create other problems, including staining, odors and the possibility of parasites associated with wildlife activity.
And then there is the concern that gets everyone’s attention: rabies.
Are Bats Dangerous?
Most bats are not infected with rabies, but bats are one of the animals most commonly associated with rabies in the United States. A bat bite can be extremely small, and a person may not always realize they have been bitten.
For that reason, you should never handle a bat with your bare hands.
The CDC recommends avoiding contact with bats and contacting a medical professional or public health authority if you believe you may have had contact with one.
If a bat is found inside your home, keep children and pets away from it and avoid attempting to catch it with your bare hands.
If you are unsure what to do, contact the appropriate animal control or public health authorities for guidance.
Signs You May Have Bats in Your Attic
Not every homeowner actually sees the bats.
Some of the most common signs of bats in an attic or home include:
- Hearing scratching, squeaking or fluttering sounds at night
- Seeing bats flying around your roof at dusk
- Seeing bats repeatedly entering or exiting the same area of your home
- Finding bat droppings in the attic
- Finding droppings or staining below possible entry points
- Noticing unusual odors coming from the attic
- Finding an occasional bat inside the living space
- Hearing activity coming from walls or ceilings
Seeing one bat doesn’t necessarily mean you have a large colony, but it is worth investigating—especially if you repeatedly see bats around your home.
Don’t Try to Solve a Bat Problem With Repellents
Homeowners sometimes purchase ultrasonic devices, chemical repellents or other products marketed as a way to make bats leave.
These products are not a substitute for proper exclusion.
The CDC notes that ultrasonic devices and chemical repellents are not effective methods for eliminating bats from an established roost. Proper exclusion focuses on identifying the entry points and allowing bats to leave safely before those openings are permanently sealed.
In other words, the solution isn’t about making your attic uncomfortable.
It’s about keeping bats from getting inside in the first place.
Professional Bat Removal in Wisconsin
If you think you have bats, don’t wait until the problem gets worse.
At Erdye’s Pest Control, we provide professional bat inspections and bat exclusion services throughout Wisconsin. Our technicians inspect the structure to determine how bats are getting inside and develop a plan to safely and humanely address the problem while following Wisconsin’s bat regulations.
Our bat control services can include:
- Bat inspections
- Identifying bat entry points
- Bat exclusion
- One-way exclusion devices
- Bat-proofing and sealing entry points
- Attic cleaning and sanitation
- Follow-up inspections
- Recommendations to help prevent future bat activity
We understand that every building is different. That’s why we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to bat removal.
Think You Have Bats? Call Erdye’s Today
If you think you have bats in your attic, walls, chimney, garage or other part of your home, don’t start sealing holes or trying to remove them yourself.
Call Erdye’s Pest Control and let us inspect the property first.
We’ll help determine whether you actually have a bat problem, where the bats are getting in, and what needs to be done to safely and legally address the situation.
Think you have bats? Call Erdye’s Pest Control today to schedule your inspection.
Call: (920) 542-6990
Text/SMS: (920) 373-3985
We provide bat removal and pest control services throughout Wisconsin, including Green Bay, Appleton, Brookfield, Sturgeon Bay, Wausau, and surrounding communities.
Don’t wait until bats are flying through your living room or your attic is full of guano.
If you think bats are getting into your home, call Erdye’s Pest Control. We’ll find out where they’re getting in and help you get them out—safely, humanely, and the right way.