Bats are flying mammals that bring many benefits to their ecosystems. There are over 45 species that live in national parks. Different species provide different benefits. Bats pollinate plants, influence scientific discoveries, distribute seeds to maintain forests and plants, and control insects. Animals in the ecosystem like hawks, falcons, and owls eat bats, as they rely on bats for their calories. There are many benefits to bats, but they should be in the right environment, not in your home.

Cover any outside entry points. Seal cracks and fill up holes. Install chimney caps, window screens, and draft guards to prevent attic entry. Make sure that all doors with outside access close properly. Bats can enter through holes as small as 3/8-inch in diameter so it’s important to plug any holes or tears you find in the exterior of your home. 

Repelling bats humanely requires a thoughtful approach that considers their ecological importance as natural pest controllers. Begin by locating their entry and exit points, typically identifiable at dusk and dawn when bats are most active. Use one-way exclusion devices, such as bat cones or exclusion nets, to allow bats to exit but prevent re-entry.  Avoid using chemicals or ultrasonic devices, as they can harm bats and are often ineffective. Instead, hang shiny objects like mylar balloons or aluminum foil strips near roosting areas; the reflections and movement can discourage bats by mimicking predator activity. Improve ventilation in attics and other potential roosting spots, as bats prefer warm, undisturbed environments.

If you have a garden, planting bat-repelling herbs like mint or rosemary near entry points may add an extra layer of deterrence. Before sealing any openings, ensure no baby bats (pups) are present, as they are unable to fly and would be trapped, leading to harm. For best results and to comply with wildlife protection laws, consult a bat specialist to ensure a safe, humane, and effective solution.

Some bats eat insects, some bats eat fruits, while most eat a mix of both. If you see that their favorite food is growing or flying around in your garden, it’s time to make changes. Common bat-attracting insects include beetles, moths, and especially mosquitoes. Many households that experience bat’s roosting also suffer from a mosquito problem. Fixing that not only helps get rid of bats, but also keeps your family safe from mosquito-borne diseases. Taking measures to remove bats will help, but It is best to hire a professional to safely remove bats from your home. Make sure to hire a registered pest or wildlife control company. Compliance with environmental laws and adherence to ethical principles is important.

The Brazilian (aka Mexican) free-tailed bat, is the most common bat in Texas. More than 250,000 roost and breed under the Waugh Street Bridge in Houston. With 31 species, Texas has the largest diversity of bats in the nation. The greater Houston area hosts 11 species, including the migratory eastern red bat, northern yellow bat, hoary bat and silver-haired bat. Year-round species are the eastern pipistrelle, southwestern myotis and the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat, a Texas endangered species.

There are many factors to consider when determining the cost of bat removal. The mitigation will depend on the size of the bat colony and the condition of the building, including the number of potential bat entry points that must be sealed. Prices can start at $90-$300 to exclude a single bat with a single entry point. More likely, it will cost $300-$1,500 to remove a small (50 bats or less) or medium (about 50-200) colony, and $1,500-$8,000 or more for large colonies.

An average house in good condition costs $2,400 – $5,000, depending on the severity of the bat problem. Factors that might increase the cost of bat exclusion include a steep roof, the height of the house (requiring a lift or other equipment), a hard-to-reach bat colony or a house in poor repair with lots of potential entry points. Once the bats are excluded, it’s often necessary to clean up bat droppings — called guano — and to repair any other damage caused by the bats. There can be additional charges and prices will vary, particularly if the damage is extensive.

Bat droppings, known as guano, are small and dark in coloration. The elongated pellets are crumbly and turn to dust when touched. Often used as fertilizer because of its high nitrogen and phosphorus content, guano can be dangerous when allowed to accumulate in the home. The incidence of histoplasmosis being transmitted from bat droppings to humans is not thought to be high. Nevertheless, fresh bat droppings (unlike fresh bird dropping) can contain the histoplasmosis fungus. Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by breathing in spores of a fungus often found in bird and bat droppings. The infection is most commonly spread when these spores are inhaled after taking to the air.

Autumn and Spring are the ideal times for bat exclusion and removal. Bats begin hibernating when the cold weather drives the insects away, typically around October and November, and emerge from hibernation in March. Bats are more active at night. Bats usually leave after dusk to go and feed. Professionals install proper exclusion techniques so that when bats leave the area of your home that they’ve been occupying, they can make sure that they’re not able to return. You want to make sure that you don’t seal in bats that are not fully fledged and not able to leave.

Spring is mating season for bats. In most states, regulators allow bat-proofing and bat removal beginning sometime from early August to late August and continuing until females start caring for young again in early spring, March to May. However, the only times that you can expect all bats to be out of the colony at the same time are early spring (before maternity season) or late summer after the young bats have fledged. When fledging is concerned You want to make sure that you don’t seal in bats that are not fully fledged and not able to leave.