Bat Removal New York
Bats in your attic or walls? Our NYS DEC licensed technicians perform humane exclusion within New York's legal exclusion windows — no bats harmed, every entry point sealed permanently.
⚠️ Bats Are Federally & State Protected in New York
All bat species in New York are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Several species — including the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the northern long-eared bat — are listed as endangered under New York State law. Killing bats, destroying their roosts, or removing them outside legal exclusion windows is a federal and state crime.
Legal bat removal means exclusion only — one-way devices that allow bats to exit naturally, combined with permanent sealing. Never hire any company that claims to trap or kill bats. Our technicians are fully licensed and work exclusively within NYSDEC guidelines.
Signs You Have Bats
Bats observed emerging from your roofline at dusk
Bat droppings (guano) accumulating near entry points
Strong ammonia odor from attic or wall cavities
Squeaking or scratching sounds from walls/attic at night
Dark staining or grease marks around small gaps or vents
Single bats occasionally found inside living areas
Bat Species in New York
New York is home to nine bat species. The two most commonly found colonizing structures are:
- •Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus): Historically the most abundant bat in NY, now state-listed as endangered due to white-nose syndrome. Colonies commonly roost in attic spaces, forming nursery colonies of dozens to hundreds of individuals. Extra protections apply during the May–July pup season.
- •Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus): A hardier species that has weathered white-nose syndrome better than smaller species. Often found roosting in wall voids, attics, and chimneys. Exclusion procedures are the same — humane one-way devices followed by permanent sealing.
A colony of 50 bats can consume hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes and crop-damaging insects per night. Protecting NY's bat population is both a legal obligation and an ecological priority.
White-Nose Syndrome: Why NY's Bats Need Protection
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans that has devastated bat populations across New York and the northeastern United States since its discovery in a Schoharie County cave in 2006. The fungus attacks hibernating bats, causing them to burn their fat reserves prematurely, wake repeatedly during winter, and die of starvation or dehydration.
New York's little brown bat population declined by more than 90% following WNS. A species that once numbered in the millions across the state is now listed as endangered. This collapse makes every surviving colony precious. Disturbing, displacing, or killing bats accelerates the decline of animals that provide billions of dollars in natural pest control services to NY's agriculture and ecosystems.
Proper exclusion — performed outside pup-rearing season — allows colonies to relocate to natural roost sites and continue contributing to NY's ecological balance.
New York Bat Exclusion Windows
Spring Window
April 1 – June 30
Legal exclusion period before bats give birth. Adult bats can exit but pups are not yet present.
Fall Window
August 1 – October 31
Pups are now fully capable of flight. Exclusion proceeds safely before hibernation season.
Prohibited Period — No Exclusion
May 1 – July 31
Pup-rearing season. Flightless young bats cannot exit — exclusion at this time would trap and kill them, violating state and federal law.
Our Bat Exclusion Process
Inspection
Full exterior and attic inspection to identify all bat entry points, colony size, and species present.
Exclusion Devices
One-way exclusion tubes or netting installed at primary entry points during a legal exclusion window.
Permanent Sealing
All secondary entry points sealed first. After bats exit through one-way devices, primary entries sealed permanently.
Guano Cleanup
Optional attic decontamination to remove guano accumulation and neutralize histoplasmosis and ammonia risks.
How Bats Enter New York Homes
Bats can squeeze through gaps as small as 3/8 of an inch. Common entry points in New York homes include:
- •Chimney gaps and flashing: Loose flashing around chimneys creates gaps bats exploit easily.
- •Fascia board gaps: Rotted or warped fascia along rooflines are among the most common bat entry points in NY.
- •Ridge vents and soffit vents: Inadequate screening allows colony access to entire attic spaces.
- •Gable end vents: Older homes with unscreened gable vents frequently develop large bat colonies.
- •Pipe and utility penetrations: Any unsealed exterior wall penetration can provide bat access.
🚨 Bat in Your Living Space? Contact NYS Health Department
While the percentage of bats that carry rabies is low, bats are responsible for the majority of human rabies cases in the United States because their bites can be small enough to go unnoticed. New York State Department of Health and the CDC advise that if a bat is found in a room where a person was sleeping, or near a child or person who cannot confirm there was no contact, it should be treated as a potential rabies exposure.
Do not release the bat. If possible, contain it for testing. Call the NYS Department of Health Rabies Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or your local county health department immediately.
Related Wildlife Services
Bat Removal FAQ
Bats in Your Home? Call Today.
We schedule exclusions within New York's legal windows — no bats harmed, every entry point sealed. NYS DEC licensed technicians serving all of New York.