Removing Bats From An Attic

(And Why You Should ALWAYS Leave Bat Cleanup To a Professional)

Bat season is getting into gear. We at Holper’s Pest & Animal Solutions have heard crazy stories from DIY folks that have learned the hard way that this is definitely a job to leave to professionals. We have the most effective eradication services because we understand bat problems–the critical first step to successful St. Louis bat control and removing bats from an attic.

Bats 101

In the Greater St. Louis region, the bats that we encounter are the Little Brown Bat and the Big Brown Bat. (There are more than 1,000 bat species worldwide.) Pregnant females form maternity colonies until their young are born in May and June. Each female gives birth to one or two young, which begin flying at three to five weeks to begin feeding on their own. Bats are insectivores, with some bat species eating up to half of their weight in flying insects each night.

Why is A Bat a Biohazard?


Bat Guano

Guano is a biohazard that should only be cleaned by the trained personnel of Holper’s with the proper safety equipment. Histoplasmosis is an airborne fungus disease that can grow in pigeon and bat droppings (guano), but usually the guano must have contact with moisture, which is generally not present in a dry attic. However, bat cleanup should always be done professionally, with safety equipment, full face respirators, Tyvek suits, and HEPA vacuums due to the potentially deadly dust created by the guano.

Being a mammal, a very small percentage of bats will contract rabies. (Being that sick bats are simpler to catch than healthy ones, the statistics released by health agencies may show higher percentages than is accurate.) Exposure to the rabies virus is decreased if you avoid contact with bats and keep all pets current on vaccinations. Your risk after exposure can only be determined by your healthcare professional. Bats are also hosts to parasites such as the bat bug, a relative of the bed bug. Being host-specific, these parasites rarely bite pets or humans, and they can be easily controlled by the professional application of an insecticide once the bats are evicted from a structure.

 Bat Control

bat-entering-homeControl involves sealing the entire structure, except where the bats are entering and exiting the building. Those spots are fitted with a one-way door so that bats can exit your building but they cannot re-enter. It is best to implement control before the end of May or after the third week of August, so as not to trap young bats in the structure. Once the bats have all left your home, the one-way doors are removed and the area is sealed, effectively bat-proofing your home.

Holper’s–Your BAT MANagement Experts!

From diagnosing your bat problem, to removing bats from the attic, to cleaning guano, to sealing the structure–one call to Holper’s Pest & Animal Solutions will get it done. Whatever the size of the bat colony, we can remove bats from your attic and solve your bat problems. Call your St. Louis bat control professionals at 314-732-1413 today!