Bat Removal Service — New York
Bats are federally protected — they cannot be killed, only excluded. Wildlife NY provides professional, MBTA-compliant bat exclusion across New York during permitted seasons.
Bat Removal in New York: What You Need to Know
Bat removal in New York is fundamentally different from other wildlife removal services. Bats are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and under New York State law. It is illegal to kill, poison, trap, or otherwise harm bats. The only legal method of bat removal is exclusion — a process that allows bats to exit your home through one-way devices while permanently preventing re-entry.
Bat exclusion in New York is also subject to strict seasonal restrictions. Work may only be performed during two permitted windows: April 1 through June 30 (spring exclusion) and August 1 through October 31 (fall exclusion). Exclusion is prohibited during July because bat pups — born in late spring — are not yet able to fly and would be trapped and killed if exclusion devices were installed.
Wildlife NY's technicians are trained and experienced in professional bat exclusion. We strictly follow MBTA regulations and NYSDEC guidelines, and we will not perform work outside the permitted seasonal windows — even when requested. If you call during a prohibited period, we will inspect the property, document all entry points, and schedule your exclusion for the next permitted window.
New York Bat Exclusion Calendar
April 1 – June 30
Spring Exclusion Window
Bats are active and can fly out. Adults present; exclusion devices can be installed. Work permitted.
July 1 – July 31
Prohibited Period
Bat pups cannot fly. Exclusion would trap and kill pups — illegal under MBTA. No exclusion permitted.
August 1 – Oct 31
Fall Exclusion Window
Pups are now flying. Optimal time for exclusion before bats enter hibernation. Most common exclusion period.
Nov 1 – Mar 31
Hibernation Period
Bats hibernating (torpor). Exclusion during hibernation can be harmful. Inspect and plan for spring window.
Wildlife NY strictly follows New York bat exclusion seasons. Call anytime to schedule an inspection — we will complete exclusion during the next available window.
New York Bat Species
🦇 Little Brown Bat ENDANGERED IN NY
Myotis lucifugus
Once the most common bat in New York, the little brown bat is now listed as Endangered under New York State law due to catastrophic losses from white-nose syndrome. A single colony can lose 90%+ of its population in just a few years. This species is the most commonly found in New York homes.
- • Wingspan: 8–11 inches; weight: 1/8 to 1/2 oz
- • Roosts in attics, behind shutters and siding, in wall voids
- • Maternity colonies form May–August
- • Hibernates in caves and mines November–March
🦇 Big Brown Bat
Eptesicus fuscus
The big brown bat is more adaptable than the little brown bat and has maintained its population better in the face of white-nose syndrome. It is the bat most often found in homes during winter, as it sometimes hibernates in buildings rather than caves. Big brown bats are important agricultural pest controllers.
- • Wingspan: 12–16 inches; weight: 1/2 to 5/8 oz
- • Roosts in attics, wall voids, chimneys, behind fascia boards
- • May remain active on warm winter nights
- • Sometimes hibernates in buildings
White-Nose Syndrome & Why Bats Matter
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that was first identified in New York — specifically in a cave near Albany — in 2006. It has since spread across North America and killed an estimated 5.7 to 6.7 million bats. Some bat populations in the northeast have declined by 90–99%.
Bats are critical to New York's ecosystem. A single little brown bat can consume 1,000 to 1,200 mosquitoes per hour. Bat colonies provide significant agricultural pest suppression — the value of bats as pest controllers to US agriculture is estimated in the billions of dollars annually. The collapse of bat populations has real ecological and economic consequences.
This is why humane, legal exclusion — rather than extermination — is not just the law: it is the right approach. Wildlife NY's bat exclusion services allow bats to continue their ecological role while protecting your home from the genuine problems a bat colony inside a structure can cause.
🦇 Bat Rabies Protocol in New York
While only a small percentage of bats test positive for rabies, bat bites are extremely small and may not be felt — especially by sleeping individuals. The NYS Department of Health takes bat exposure seriously.
Professional Bat Exclusion Process
Inspection
Thorough exterior and interior inspection. We identify all entry points, estimate colony size, and confirm exclusion season eligibility.
One-Way Devices
We install one-way exclusion tubes or netting over primary entry points. Bats exit normally but cannot return.
Secondary Sealing
All secondary entry points (gaps ≥ 3/8 inch) are sealed during the exclusion period so bats cannot shift entry.
Final Sealing
After 3–7 days, one-way devices are removed and primary entry points permanently sealed. Guano cleanup available.
⚠️ Warning: Illegal Bat Removal in New York
Some pest control and wildlife removal companies offer to "exterminate" or poison bats. This is a federal crime under the MBTA, punishable by fines and imprisonment. It is also ineffective — bat colonies will return to a structure with unsealed entry points regardless of what is applied inside.
The only legal, effective, and permanent bat removal method is professional exclusion performed during a permitted seasonal window. Wildlife NY will never use illegal methods and will always advise you of the proper exclusion window for your situation.
Bat Removal Service — FAQ
Bats in Your Home? Let's Do This Right.
Legal, MBTA-compliant bat exclusion in New York. Permitted seasonal windows followed strictly. Free inspection. NYS DEC licensed technicians.