Bat control

Bats have inhabited the earth for more than 50 million years and there are over 1,400 species of bats worldwide. Although bats provide many benefits including pest consumption, plant pollination, and seed dispersal, bats can pose a serious health threat to humans if they are found inside a structure.

Bats are known to carry diseases that may affect humans, such as rabies and Histoplasmosis. Although cases of rabies are rare, it is important to know how to get rid of bats properly.

Many states have laws protecting bat species and removal may require a special license or approval. Some species of bats are federally protected which can result in stiff penalties if mishandled or killed.

Rentokil offers expert bat removal services for all businesses, carried out by licensed professionals.

Signs of bats

Business owners may find bats living on the external side of their property, under the eaves, or the interior of your property where they may gain access via small openings and inhabit a loft space. Buildings with a wood shake, terracotta, or slate roof are often at greater risk as these roof types offer numerous openings that present the possibility of gaining entry.

Bats found inside or around your business could become an issue for staff and customers. There are signs to look for that may indicate you have a bat issue at your business.

• Droppings - Bat droppings (guano) are dark-colored and pebbly and may accumulate in and around your facility.
• Odor - Bat guano and urine can create a very strong odor.
• Stains - When bats are entering and exiting they can leave visible grease marks around the entry point.
• Live or dead bats - Live or dead bats in or around your property.
• Noises - You may hear squeaks or chirps at dusk and dawn when bats are either leaving or returning from their search for food.

Any business could potentially be at risk of bats, however, it is usually older commercial buildings, in need of some repair, that are at greater risk. If your business is located near wooded areas or around a body of water, it may attract insects that provide a valuable food source for bats.

Potential threats from bats

Bats can pose serious health threats to humans - especially when they are inside a structure where people can potentially come in contact with bats or their droppings.

• Rabies - Rabies is a viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Rabies infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death if untreated. However, rabies in humans is 100% preventable if prompt medical care is received. 
• Histoplasmosis - Fungi that harbor in bat droppings can cause a lung infection known as histoplasmosis which can be caused by inhaling spores that grow on bat droppings, also known as guano. It’s important to not handle droppings without proper protection.

In addition to affecting human health, bat droppings can also cause other issues. One bat can produce between 20-30 droppings a day and because bats typically colonize in large groups, the number of droppings can easily pile up. Their waste also attracts other pests like cockroaches, and the smell of their feces encourages other bats to invade the area. 

Bat control services

Exclusion and eviction are recommended to eliminate the presence of bats inside your business and to prohibit further access in the future. Before service is performed, a Rentokil Technician will thoroughly inspect your property and create a customized plan based on your specific needs.

Rentokil’s 4-step bat exclusion process:

1. INSPECT AND IDENTIFY - Our experts do a thorough inspection of your building to identify existing and potential entry points where bats could enter your facility.
2. EVICTION AND EXCLUSION - Rentokil Technicians will seal all potential entry points except areas where bats are actively entering and exiting your facility. Then, we’ll install specialized tools to allow bats to exit your building naturally but prohibit them from re-entering. Once all bats have exited, we’ll seal the remaining entry points.
3. CLEAN UP (IF REQUIRED) - Our team will clean the area where bats were roosting and remove any bat guano.
4. ANNUAL MONITORING (OPTIONAL) - We’ll come back annually to re-inspect and seal new entry points. 

We advise businesses to get rid of bats humanely and efficiently with the help of a licensed pest professional.

Call Rentokil at 1-855-633-6260 for further advice on bat removal or to arrange a free consultation with one of our experts.