How To Get Rid Of Bats: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Home and Garden
• Housekeeping
• Pest Control

How to Remove Bats from Your Home Download Article Reclaiming your attic for good Co-authored by Scott McCombe and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Removing the Bats
|
• Bat-Proofing Your Home
|
• Identifying a Bat Problem
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Scott McCombe and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,064,729 times.

If bats have taken up residence in your home, you may have a bigger problem on your hands than noise. Invading bats leave behind droppings that pose health risks and slowly corrode wood and other building materials. It’s a good idea to call a professional bat removal service if you’re faced with a severe infestation, but we’ll offer some simple steps you can take to drive bats from your home yourself, as well as give you some tips on identifying a bat problem and when to call for help.

Things You Should Know

• Install one-way exclusion devices over any cracks or holes where bats may be getting in.
• Create disturbances to make your home uncomfortable for bats, like leaving a light on or turning down the thermostat.
• Set up bat boxes outside your home to give the bats an alternate place to roost.
• Call a pest removal service or your local wildlife authority if the situation gets out of hand.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Removing the Bats

Download Article

1. 1 Install a one-way exclusion device. By fitting suspected entry points with exclusion devices like a one-way valve or tube, invading bats will be free to exit a space but won’t be able to get back in.[1] This way, bats will simply leave on their own, and be unable to return. These devices are the most effective and professionally-used method for ridding your home of bats once and for all.[2]
   • Denying bats reentry is preferable to trapping them, which is often difficult and dangerous.
   • There are a number of different exclusion devices, but each is relatively simple to install. Follow the included manufacturer’s instructions.
   • Only install exclusion devices in September through April, when there aren’t any young bats that may be harmed.
2. 2 Create disturbances to drive the bats away. Bats favor dark, quiet hideouts and have an aversion to lots of light and commotion. Leave a bright light on in the attic or another area you think bats might be inhabiting. In addition, lower the thermostat or turn on the AC in the room to make the space uncomfortable for the intruders.[3]
   • If the roost is visible, apply a contact repellant such as sticky bird gel during the day or when the bat is not present.
   • Note that ultrasonic devices are unproven to work against bats, and are most often ineffective.
   Advertisement
3. 3 Set up a bat box near your home. Bat boxes are small enclosed structures that provide a hospitable temporary environment for bats seeking a place to roost. The idea is to flush them out of your home while attracting them to the box so that they won’t be tempted to return. For people living in wooded areas, bat boxes are a good way to relocate bats without the need for more costly measures.[4]
   • Build your own bat box or purchase one online and mount it on a tree or fence near your home, in a place with ample shade.
4. 4 Call a pest removal service. If you’re not having any luck getting rid of the bats on your own, or you suspect you might be housing an entire bat colony, your best bet is to have the problem dealt with professionally. Pest control specialists will be able to pinpoint the places where bats are likely getting in, then remove them and seal vulnerable entry points to keep them from coming back.[5]
   • This is the safest and most convenient option if you can afford to have it done.
   • Contact your local wildlife authority or conservation group, which may offer to remove the colony at no cost.
Advertisement

Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Bat-Proofing Your Home

Download Article

1. 1 Seal off all potential entry points. Once the bats are gone, bar any openings that they might be using to make their way in.[6] Repairing long-standing cracks and damage, installing exclusion devices or in some cases applying new mortar, fixing plaster, or laying new shingles.[7] With these things in place, bats will find it difficult or impossible to regain access to your home in the future.[8]
   • Have a contractor go over the exterior of your home with you to look for places that might admit bats.
   • Attach industrial bird netting over problem areas with staples or duct tape for an effective but temporary solution.[9]
2. 2 Dispose of any remaining bat waste. Vacuum up dried droppings or scoop them into a garbage bag with a plastic scraper. Afterward, scrub the area thoroughly using an enzyme-based cleaning solution. This helps break down any remaining biological waste products so that no traces are left behind.[10]
   • Be sure to take the proper safety precautions when cleaning bat guano—wear thick rubber gloves, eye protection, and a face mask or respirator to filter the surrounding air.
   • If the problem is especially extensive, call a professional pest or cleaning service to safely handle the mess.
3. 3 Check inhabitable spaces frequently. Perform thorough inspections of your attic, basement, crawlspace or other affected areas periodically to search for signs of reinfestation. Look for bats themselves as well as their droppings. Chances are that bats will stay out after you’ve sealed their entryways, but if they do happen to sneak back in, it helps to find out as soon as possible to keep the problem from getting out of hand.[11]
   • Unexplainable drafts or debris can offer a clue that bats have gnawed their way in.
   • Though they usually wind up in attics and chimneys, bats have also been known to roost beneath decks, inside screened-in porches and under roofing tiles.
Advertisement

Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Identifying a Bat Problem

Download Article

1. 1 Confirm that bats are the problem. The occasional rustling in the attic may just be an old water pipe or the sound of the house settling. Make sure you’ve excluded all other possibilities before you spend time and energy on a false bat problem. If possible, confirm their presence with a sighting, or listen closely for sustained squeaking, especially at night.[12]
   • If a single bat has wandered into your house, catch it with a bucket against a wall.
   • Alternatively, leave the lights on, open a single exit and block off the rest of the house, then wait for the bat to leave on its own.
2. 2 Be on the lookout for droppings. Bat excrement (commonly known as “guano”) most often takes the form of small, dark pellets. These are round in shape, give off a musky stench, and collect in piles beneath a bat’s roost. Should you encounter bat guano in any part of your home, there’s a good chance that bats have recently been roosting there.[13]
   • While bat urine isn’t typically visible, it may leave behind small stains and a sharp odor.
   • Bat guano sometimes contains fungal mold spores that may be hazardous to breathe. If you identify bat droppings during your search, proceed with a face mask.
3. 3 Research local bat species and laws regarding them. There are many different varieties of bats, and some homeowners decide to allow the smaller, less intrusive, or endangered species to coexist in their attics or eaves.[14] Additionally, depending on the species’ mating season, you may inadvertently try to remove young bats that are unable to fly away.[15]
   • Observe the bats from a distance to get a good look, then identify it using an online database or by calling your local pest control or wildlife foundation for aid.
   • Note that in the UK, bats are a protected animal and it’s illegal to tamper with any sort of bat roost—in this case, you’ll need to isolate and coexist with the bats.
4. 4 Identify places where bats might be getting in. Bats gravitate toward dark, enclosed spaces because they most closely resemble their natural cave habitats. Take a look around your attic, chimney flue, basement, or crawlspace and search for small crevices through which a bat might enter.[16] Pay special attention to things like broken windows, decaying brickwork, or gaps in the roof.
   • Bats are capable of squeezing into spaces as narrow as 0.25 in (0.64 cm), so don’t discount small or inconspicuous openings.
   • Watch bats as they come and go at night to see what entrances they’re using.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question How can I get rid of bats in my attic? Scott McCombe Pest Control Specialist Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor. Scott McCombe Pest Control Specialist Expert Answer Install a one-way exit so the bats can fly out but won't be able to get back inside. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8
• Question Who do I call if I have a colony of bats in my attic? Scott McCombe Pest Control Specialist Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor. Scott McCombe Pest Control Specialist Expert Answer If you have a whole colony, contact a professional wildlife control company to remove them. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 8

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

• Have your home inspected once a year for bats and other pests. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 3
• Fruits, nuts and other small food items can sometimes lure bats out of their roost. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3
• Continual human presence will ensure that bats don’t get too comfortable. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 4

Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Don’t waste your time with bat repellent products. Not only do they tend to be ineffective, they can put you and your family at risk of illness by spreading chemical irritants around your home. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• In addition to histoplasmosis, bats are associated with other health risks such as rabies, fleas, ticks and mites. Always act with caution around wild animals, and avoid physical contact.[17] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Bats are protected species in the United Kingdom. They, along with their roosts are protected from damage, destruction, harm, or killing. Doing anything described in this article in the UK could result in prosecution. Visit the webpage for the Bat Conservation Trust for more information.[18] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toRemove a Bat from a Home How toCatch a Bat in Your House How toKeep Mice Out of Your House How toAttract Bats to Your Garden How to Get Rid of Squirrels in the Attic & Prevent Re-Entry How to Kill Rats Quickly & Prevent Them from Coming Back How to Get a Squirrel Out of Your House Do You Have Animals in Your Walls? Dealing with Animals in Your Walls or Attic How toKeep Your Home Free of Rodents 12 Ways to Make Skunks Leave your Yard or Garden How toKill Attic Rats How toBuild a Bat Box How toGet Rid of Mice and Rats How toGet Rid of Snakes Advertisement

References

1. ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview
2. ↑ https://pcwd.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/1994Bats.pdf
3. ↑ https://pcwd.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/1994Bats.pdf
4. ↑ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-9088.pdf
5. ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview
6. ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview
7. ↑ https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/how-protect-bats-or-get-rid-bats-your-house
8. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/bats
9. ↑ https://www.floridabats.org/excluding-bats-from-buildings.html

More References (9)

10. ↑ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-9088.pdf
11. ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9460
12. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/a-homeowners-guide-to-northeastern-bats-and-bat-problems
13. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/a-homeowners-guide-to-northeastern-bats-and-bat-problems
14. ↑ https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-having-bats/can-i-get-remove-or-rehome-bats
15. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/a-homeowners-guide-to-northeastern-bats-and-bat-problems
16. ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview
17. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/a-homeowners-guide-to-northeastern-bats-and-bat-problems
18. ↑ https://www.bats.org.uk/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Scott McCombe Pest Control Specialist This article was co-authored by Scott McCombe and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor. This article has been viewed 2,064,729 times. 33 votes - 66% Co-authors: 51 Updated: August 19, 2025 Views: 2,064,729 Categories: Featured Articles | Pest Control Article SummaryX

To get rid of bats, try turning on some lights or playing loud music since bats prefer places that are dark and quiet. Alternatively, you can hang up strips of aluminum foil, which will disorient and scare away the bats when they fly around. Once you get rid of the bats, install some bat boxes away from your property, which will give the bats somewhere else to live so they're less likely to come back to your home. For more tips, like how to bat-proof your home, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Portuguese French Russian Chinese Thai Arabic Vietnamese Hindi Turkish Japanese Italian

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,064,729 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Carol Lamoureaux

  Jul 31, 2017

  "We are in contract with a property that had a bat in the attic. It was professionally removed, but we are having..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Did this article help you? Say thanks with a small tip. $1 $3 $5 Leave a Tip Support our mission to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything. Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Scott McCombe Pest Control Specialist 33 votes - 66% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 51 Updated: August 19, 2025 Views: 2,064,729

Carol Lamoureaux

Jul 31, 2017

"We are in contract with a property that had a bat in the attic. It was professionally removed, but we are having..." more

LeAnne Cummings

Jun 24, 2016

"I am an animal lover, and actually love to watch bats fly about in the evening. However, I do not want them..." more

Janet Taffae

Sep 20, 2016

"I decided to spray the bat with water. It did attempt to fly at me, so I sprayed it mid air. Friends think it might..." more

Ann McAlinden

Sep 27, 2016

"It's good to know that bats are beneficial, since they eat mosquitoes and the feces are good fertilizer. Now..." more

Lisa Brooks

Jul 11, 2016

"Identifying the way they get in & out by leaving oil helped me the most, and being able to find their poo...." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

How Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizWhat Kind of Ghost Will I Be QuizTake QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Bird Am I QuizTake QuizWhy Can't I Sleep QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toRemove a Bat from a HomeHow toCatch a Bat in Your HouseHow toKeep Mice Out of Your HouseHow toAttract Bats to Your Garden

Featured Articles

15 Signs Your Ex Misses You (and What to Do About It)How to Observe Hanukkah (From Candle Lighting to Latke Frying)165+ "You Are Special" Quotes For Friends, Family, Partners & More115+ Brain Teasers For Adults & Kids (With Answers!)When Will I Get My First Kiss Quiz17 Believable Excuses to Miss Class At the Last Minute

Trending Articles

Let Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizHow Much Do I Mog QuizAm I Annoying QuizCollege Grad Intelligence Test: Can You Score An A+?How Nonchalant Am I QuizHow Weird Am I Quiz

Featured Articles

How to Speed Up Your Slow-Performing Mobile DataHow to Get a Nice BodyIce Cream Personality TestHow toDress for WinterNicknames for Your Girlfriend: 125+ Funny, Sweet & Clever IdeasHow to Give Someone a Great Gift

Featured Articles

What Would My Life At Camp Half-Blood Be Like QuizThe Best Hairstyles for Guys with Big Foreheads22 Best Ideas for Scary (and Funny) PranksHow to Text Yourself: Fake Text Messages, Reminders, and MoreAccurate Omegaverse Quiz: 100% GuaranteeThe Hardest & Most Difficult Riddles for Adults

Watch Articles

How to Marinate Chicken: 4 Recipes and a Step-By-Step GuideHow toClean Shower TileHow toDo Oblique CrunchesSimple Ways to Riffle Shuffle and Bridge Playing CardsHow toMake Black CoffeeHow toPlant a Seed in a Pot

Trending Articles

Can We Guess How Tall You Are QuizHow Would My Fandom See Me If I Were a Fictional Character QuizGet Claimed by Your Godly Parent (Percy Jackson Quiz)Am I a Furry Quiz170+ Deep, Heartfelt & Passionate Love Messages to Send Your GuyThe World's Hardest Riddles (for Kids & Adults)

Quizzes & Games

Do I Smell Bad QuizTake QuizWhat's Your Red Flag QuizTake QuizAnimal Riddle QuizTake QuizWould I Survive a Horror Movie QuizTake QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizTake QuizOCD TestTake Quiz

• Categories
• Home and Garden
• Housekeeping
• Pest Control

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --773