What to do if you have bats in your attic?

If you find yourself up against a massive colony of bats in your attic, you may want to contact a wildlife removal expert to help with exclusion doors and traps, as well as proper sealing and cleaning.

Is it safe to live in a house with bats in the attic?

Dangers of Infestations The most pressing concern related to having bats in the attic is the collection of droppings, also called guano, that can facilitate the spread of disease. Guano provides a hospitable environment for the fungal spores that cause Histoplasmosis, a respiratory ailment, to grow.

When should I get rid of bats in my attic?

So that no young bats are trapped in the building, exclusion must be conducted either in the spring when insects have appeared but before the pups are born or after the young bats are capable of flying, ideally early fall.

Are bats in the attic a problem?

Bats can also cause severe property damage through their droppings and their claws. Bat colonies can leave stains on the sides of your home and serious accumulation of droppings in your attic. Over time, this can cause your home’s roof support beams to rot, leading to expensive repairs or even a caved-in ceiling.

Are there bats in roosts in Northern Ireland?

Roosts are also protected at all times regardless of whether bats are present or absent. Anyone in Northern Ireland wishing to carry out work on any structure which may interfere with the bats or their roost should first contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency for guidance.

Is it an offence to kill a bat in your attic?

Bats are protected, endangered species and it is an offence to try to kill or remove bats or to change or block their roosts. Even if bats have left your attic, it is an offence to block the roost – bats return to the same place every year, so empty bat roosts are protected.

When was the Northern Ireland bat group formed?

The Northern Ireland Bat Group was formed in 1985, the year when bats first achieved protected status in the province. Northern Ireland is home to eight of the nine species of bats found in Ireland.

When do bats come out of the attic?

Bats will hibernate in the winter if the temperature stays at around 35 to 40° F. If it gets colder than that, the bats in the attic will migrate out, allowing you to seal up cracks and other entry points once they leave for the season.