The methods used for bat removal have nothing in common with the methods normally used for animals such as squirrels, groundhogs, and others. Instead of using traps, bat control is done by using a systematic exclusion program. It is illegal to use poisons, and it is illegal to kill some bats. Studies have shown bats have returned from distances of up to 150 miles, so trapping and “moving” bats only creates a false sense of security for homeowners who see the bats “caught and hauled away”.
The bat exclusion process requires several steps. The first step requires an observation of the structure shortly after sunset to locate the entrance/exit holes. This is done on a fairly clear night, as rainy and windy conditions are not favorable for bats to locate flying insects. The observation night can be at any time during the spring, summer, or fall.
The second step involves sealing all gaps, cracks, and holes, leaving the primary access hole(s) open. This prevents them from finding an alternate access point into the structure.
Step 3 is to install one-way exclusion devices that allow the bats to leave their roost site but not return into the structure.
Exclusions are usually performed in late summer and early fall. Excluding the mother bats during that period would create a problem even worse than having the bats in your attic, as the young bats would die without their mother to feed and care for them. The summer observations allow experts to be prepared for exclusions when the proper time comes. On many structures they will perform much of the sealing and repairs before the exclusion season begins.
