Bats in your attic? You should check now, before it's too late

Those bats zipping through the twilight sky are welcome visitors. But not if they settle down in an attic or chimney. State wildlife officials are urging North Carolina homeowners to check for the winged mammals before the annual pup-rearing season begins May 1.

“Newborn bats can’t fly and are left in the roost while their mothers forage for the evening,” explained Katherine Etchison, bat biologist at the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. That’s why spring is the perfect time to check for bats and arrange for humane “evictions” before pups are born, the commission said March 25. The process involves sealing off bats’ entry point into an attic or chimney while providing a one-way exit.



Bats offer free pest control by devouring nearly their own body weight in insects each night. Their hunger peaks during pup-rearing season, which runs from May 1 to July 31 across North Carolina. That’s also the period when removals are prohibited.

“Evicting bats during this time ensures any pups in the roost will starve,” said Etchison. “To make matters worse, desperate mother bats may fly through open doors or windows trying to reach their pups, increasing the chance of a close encounter with humans.” By Aug.

1, bat pups are old enough to fly, so evictions are safe. Bat waste, called guano, resembles mouse droppings and often piles up under the entry point bats use to get to their roost. “Check under attic vents, shutters or other potential entry points for rice-sized droppings that easily crush into a fine powder,” the NCWRC advised.

Anyone discovering signs of bats in their home is advised to call a licensed wildlife control agent or follow Bat Conservation International’s eviction guidance. Though eviction isn’t an option between May 1 and July 31, homeowners can ensure bats aren’t able to enter the human living space. A licensed wildlife control agent can inspect the home and seal off any gaps that would allow bats to enter the living area.

They can also make any preparations for evicting the bats once pup-rearing season is over. “If you do find a bat inside the living space, especially if you can’t rule out that it may have come into direct contact with a person or a pet, contact your county health department immediately to find out if the bat needs to be tested,” NCWRC said. Bats return to the same roost each spring, so it’s important to make permanent repairs that prevent them from entering the building in the future.

“You can give bats an alternative roost by installing a bat box in a sunny area on your property,” the agency added. Bat Conservation International also offers tips on building, buying and installing bat boxes. For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!.