Common Signs and Risks of Bats in Your Home
Bats in your attic or walls are more than just a noise problem; they can present significant health and property risks. It is important to identify the signs of an infestation so you can address the problem quickly and safely.
- Health Hazards: The primary risk is not always the bats themselves, but their droppings (guano). Guano can harbor a fungus that, when inhaled, may cause a serious respiratory infection called histoplasmosis.
- Potential for Rabies: While rare, bats can carry rabies. A bat found in a living space should never be handled and is a situation that requires immediate professional attention.
- Noise and Odors: A colony of bats can create a lot of noise, including squeaking, scratching, and flapping, especially at dusk and dawn. Over time, the buildup of guano and urine will create a strong, unpleasant odor.
- Entry Points: Bats can enter your home through tiny gaps, some as small as 3/8 of an inch. A small opening in a gable vent, chimney, or roofline is all they need.
- Stains: Oily residue and droppings near an entry point are a clear sign. You may see staining on your siding or attic insulation.
Never try to handle a bat yourself. A professional can assess the situation safely and determine the best way to handle the infestation and cleanup.
Our Humane Bat Control & Exclusion Process
At Terra Pest Management Specialists, we focus on safe, long-term, and environmentally-friendly solutions. Because bats are beneficial and protected, our process is centered on humane exclusion, not removal. We follow a careful, multi-step process.
- Thorough Inspection: Our process begins with a comprehensive inspection. Our trained technicians identify all potential and active entry points, the size of the colony, and any guano contamination.
- Humane Exclusion: We install one-way exclusion devices over the main entry points. This allows the bats to leave the structure at night to feed but prevents them from getting back inside.
- Complete Seal-Up: This is the most critical step. Our team seals all other potential entry points, no matter how small, to ensure bats cannot find a new way in once they are excluded.
- Removal of Devices: After we are certain all bats have left the structure (a process that can take several days), we return to remove the one-way devices and permanently seal the final entry points.
We are a licensed and insured company, and our family-friendly methods are backed by our 100% service guarantee. We get the bats out and make sure they stay out.
The Importance of Professional Bat Exclusion
Bat removal is a complex and high-risk job. Bats are protected in Pennsylvania, making it illegal to harm them. Professionals understand the legal and humane exclusion methods, such as using one-way doors during the correct season to avoid trapping pups.
Handling bats or their guano without a professional is a serious health risk. Trained technicians have the proper protective gear to safely manage a colony and decontaminate the area, protecting your family from airborne diseases like histoplasmosis.
The key to long-term success is a complete seal-up. A professional will find every single crack and gap that bats use, which is something untrained individuals almost always miss. This ensures the bats cannot return.
Why Choose Terra Pest Management Specialists for Bat Control in Collegeville
When you have bats, you need a reliable, local team you can trust. Terra Pest Management Specialists is a family-owned and woman-owned (WBE Certified) company that has been serving the Collegeville community since 2003. We are your neighbors, and we are committed to solving your problem safely.
- 100% Service Guarantee: We stand by our work. Our bat exclusion services are designed for long-term results and backed by our full guarantee.
- 48-Hour Guarantee: We value your time. When you call us, we guarantee to be at your home within 48 hours to assess the situation.
- Family & Pet-Friendly: Our focus is on environmentally-friendly and humane methods. We never use harmful chemicals, ensuring the safety of your family and pets.
- Licensed & Trained: We are fully licensed, insured, and members of the National and Pennsylvania Pest Management Associations. Our technicians are highly trained in the latest exclusion techniques.
- Community Focused: We are proud members of the Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce and are dedicated to our community.
We offer free estimates and have the expertise to handle your bat issue correctly, all backed by our 100% service guarantee.
