Bat Control & Removal
When people realize they have bats in their house, it conjures all sorts of nightmare situations in their mind, thinking of bat infestations, the damage they can do, and massive guano clean-up. Our bat removal process is quick and effective, we will find and keep these bats out of your house. While there are risks to having bats in your home or building, the worst-case scenarios are rare and the bat control & removal process typically goes smoothly and quickly. Our service area for bat control and removal in North Georgia extends as far south as Alpharetta, Crabapple, Duluth, Johns Creek, Marietta, Milton, Roswell, and Suwanee then going as far north as Ball Ground, Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Ellijay, Gainesville, and Jasper. If you are outside of these areas for our services get in touch with us! We make exceptions all the time!
First, we have two simple decisions to make depending upon the urgency of your situation. If you require an immediate solution, such as a bat is inside your house, please call us as we answer our phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Otherwise, follow the guide below in which we focus on either the process of bat removal and general information about bats.
Inspection
You need a thorough inspection from ‘Top to Bottom, Inside and Out’. For most home and property owners, it is impossible to be aware of everything that is going on all the time. So WE are your eyes and ears, from creepy crawlspaces to ominous attics! We travel where you would rather not. We find where the bats are currently getting in and other openings on your structure where you could be vulnerable.
Estimate & Explanation
You need to understand where they are, how many you are dealing with, what needs to be done to evict them and how we can prevent this and future issues like this. This is when all of that is explained to you. Your options such as the work necessary to resolve the immediate issue, a price for the preventative work if we feel it could benefit you, and a price for the guano cleanup as well (more on that later). In all regards we are honest and transparent during this process, we do not use fear to sell you on anything, and if the situation is a simple fix the price reflects that. In case the work ends up being cost-prohibitive for our clients, we offer limited financing to help however we can.
Removal
Due to the size and location of the openings that bats use to enter structures, removing them is often a process. Sometimes we are able to chase them out on the spot and then exclude, other situations where we cannot access the bats, we need to utilize certain methods to allow the bats to leave but are then unable to return. There is also a period of time where we cannot touch or disturb them at all, due to federal regulations, although there are exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
Exclusion
Exclusion is another way to say sealing your building. Even if you chase the bats out, they are very territorial, which means that they are more than likely going to reenter the same spot or find another on your structure. Our work is of the highest quality and it is done so as to not be visible or unsightly. We believe so strongly in our workmanship that all of our bat exclusions come with a free two-year guarantee with a lifetime renewal!
Guano Cleanup
Guano removal is always an optional part of the process. This is due to it possibly being inaccessible, cost-prohibitive to access, or sometimes owners are just unconcerned about it. While it is a judgment call, there are things to be aware of. Guano is a perfect environment for the histoplasma fungus, which can cause a lung infection, it can attract pests and often has a very strong and unappealing odor. We document and photograph what we can, and present you with the information so you can make an informed decision on what to do about the guano.
First and foremost, bats are federally protected which essentially means companies and individuals are not allowed to kill them and there is a certain period of time that absolutely nothing can be done about them. This period of time, between April 1st and July 31st, is known as ‘maternity season’ and its when they are typically pregnant or nursing young flightless bats. There are, of course, some exceptions for special circumstances.
These restrictions happen to be beneficial to both you and the bats. They eat a ton of insects, such as mosquitos, at night and are endangered so evicting them instead of killing them makes sense by allowing them to stay in the area and continue to feed. Some species of bats, such as the Little Brown Bat, can eat 500 – 1000 mosquitoes in one (1) hour. So if we consider the night 8 hours, that can add up to 4000 – 8000 in a night. If you avoid evicting them during maternity season there is much less of a risk of having dead bats in your structure.
Since bats can fly and can fit into some incredibly tiny gaps (if a #2 pencil can fit and it’s about 2 1/2 inches wide) they can enter your structure in many different places. If it is not in a gable vent, it is common to be unable to actually see the bats, however, there are a lot of visual indicators that the bats are using an area. Due to their numbers, they often discolor the area they are using and they tend to create a LOT of guano, all of which helps the technician in finding the right spot.
Helpful Links Relating to Bats & the Bat Removal Process:
Bat Conservation International: A leader in Bat Conservation practices for all of the licensed professionals & homeowners to set the standards by.
A Guide to Bat House Placement: We have looked over this document and shared it with many clients
IMPORTANT: What causes a Bat House to FAIL: click here
Bat Houses to Purchase: Click here
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bat+house&sprefix=bat+house%2Caps%2C407&crid=18K6ZR6SXJWHS
The Center for Disease Control’s Page on Bats & Rabies: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/education/index.html
Histoplasmosis: A disease transmitted by bat guano: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/histoplasmosis/causes.html
