Bat Removal & Exclusion
 

Professional Bat Removal in Northern Illinois & Southern Wisconsin

Bats can enter homes through surprisingly small openings and may establish roosts in attics, wall voids, soffits, and other protected areas. Once inside, they can create noise, leave droppings and urine, and contaminate areas where they roost.

Dennison Wildlife Control & Prevention provides professional bat removal and exclusion for homeowners dealing with bats inside or around their homes.

Hearing or seeing bats around your home? Contact us to schedule a professional bat inspection.

Signs of Bats in Your Home

Bats are most active around dusk and during the night, making their activity different from many other wildlife species.

Common signs include:

• Bats seen entering or leaving the roofline around dusk

• Bats flying around the home at night

• Droppings accumulating below an entry point

• Bat sounds coming from an attic or wall void

• Staining around openings where bats are entering

• A noticeable odor in an attic or enclosed area

• Bats occasionally appearing inside the living space

Seeing bats repeatedly emerge from the same location is a strong indication that the structure may contain an active roost.

Bats in the Attic

Attics provide bats with protected areas where they can roost during the day. Bats may enter through gaps along the roofline, soffits, vents, flashing, or other openings. Once inside, they may remain hidden during daylight hours and emerge after dark to feed.

A professional inspection can determine:

• Where bats are entering and exiting

• Whether the structure contains an active roost

• Which areas of the building are being used

• Where additional openings may exist

• Whether exclusion work is appropriate at the time of inspection

• What cleanup or restoration may be needed

Learn more about bats: Visit our Bat Species Profile to learn more about bat behavior, activity, roosting, breeding, entry points, and other useful information.

 

Common Bat Entry Points

Bats can use openings much smaller than many homeowners expect.

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Roofline Gaps

Small gaps where roofing materials, flashing, or other building components meet can provide access.

Soffits & Fascia

Loose or damaged areas around the roofline can allow bats into attic spaces.

Roof Vents

Damaged or improperly screened vents may provide access to the attic.

Gable & Attic Vents

Openings or damaged screens can allow bats to enter.

Chimney Areas

Openings around chimneys and associated roof structures can provide access.

Exterior Gaps

Small openings around siding, trim, utility penetrations, and other exterior areas may allow bats inside.

Bat Exclusion & Seasonal Timing

Bat exclusion requires more than simply sealing the opening where bats are seen.

A successful exclusion identifies the locations bats are using to enter and exit and addresses the other openings that could provide access.

Timing is also important. Depending on the species and time of year, bats may be using a structure as a maternity roost. Excluding adult bats while dependent young remain inside can create a serious problem.

For this reason, the appropriate exclusion approach depends on the species, location, activity, and time of year.

A professional inspection can determine the appropriate next step.

Bat Damage & Contamination

Bats generally cause less structural damage than some other wildlife species, but a long-term roost can still create problems.

Potential concerns include:

• Accumulation of guano

• Urine staining and odors

• Contaminated insulation

• Damage or staining around roosting areas

• Contamination of attic surfaces

• Increased cleanup and restoration needs over time

If significant contamination is present, sanitation or insulation replacement may be recommended after the bat problem has been addressed.

Health Concerns Associated With Bats

Bats can carry diseases that are important to take seriously. Rabies is a potentially fatal viral disease that can be transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Because bat bites can be small and difficult to see, any direct contact with a bat should be taken seriously.

Bat droppings, known as guano, can also create sanitation concerns. Accumulated guano may contain Histoplasma, a fungus that can cause histoplasmosis when contaminated material becomes airborne and is inhaled.

For these reasons, bat removal and contaminated-area cleanup should be handled carefully. If you have had direct contact with a bat, seek medical guidance promptly.

How We Handle Bat Problems
1. Inspect

We identify active and potential entry points, look for evidence of bat activity, and evaluate accessible areas of the structure.

2. Identify the Situation

We determine how bats are using the structure and whether seasonal considerations affect the timing of exclusion.

3. Exclude

When conditions are appropriate, exclusion measures are used to allow bats to leave while preventing them from re-entering.

4. Seal & Protect

Once the exclusion process is complete, appropriate openings are sealed and vulnerable areas are protected against future entry.

5. Sanitize & Restore

If the roost has resulted in significant contamination or damaged insulation, cleanup, sanitation, or insulation replacement may be recommended.

What Should You Do If You Find a Bat?

If a bat is flying inside your living space, don't attempt to handle it.

If bats are repeatedly entering your home or you see them emerging from the roofline, don't simply seal the opening.

The correct response depends on where the bat is located, how it entered, whether other bats are present, and the time of year.

A professional inspection can determine the safest and most appropriate next step.

Bat Removal Service Areas

Dennison Wildlife Control & Prevention provides bat removal and exclusion throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.

We commonly service communities throughout:

McHenry County • Lake County • Northwest Cook County • Boone County • Kenosha County • Walworth County

For more information, visit our Service Areas page to see the communities we commonly serve.

If you don't see your town listed, contact us anyway. We service additional surrounding communities.

Have a Bat Problem?

Whether you're seeing bats around your roofline, hearing activity in the attic, finding guano, or have a bat inside your home, the first step is determining how the bats are accessing the structure.

Contact Dennison Wildlife Control & Prevention to schedule a professional bat inspection.

Bat Removal • Exclusion • Chimney Protection • Sanitation • Prevention