Affiliate Disclaimer: All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The cost of bat removal ranges from $200 to more than $8,000, depending on the severity of the infestation. Bat removal is more expensive than standard pest control. Bats are a vector of the rabies virus, and many species of bats in the United States are endangered, which makes their removal legally hazardous as well. Because of these protections, not all pest control companies offer bat exclusion, and those that do typically charge a premium.
Below, we’ll look at how much bat removal costs, what you need to know about removing bats, and how you can protect your home from these winged invaders.
Cost of Bat Removal and Exclusion
Bats are one of the most expensive pests to remove, alongside termites, cockroaches, and bed bugs. The high cost of bat removal stems from the delicate removal methods required to handle these flying mammals. Since many bats in the United States are endangered, you can’t use an exterminator. Instead, you’ll need a wildlife control or pest control company that uses non-kill and exclusion treatments.
Bats, like rodents, can inflict major damage to your home’s structures. Even a small colony can destroy insulation, drywall, eaves, fascia, and other parts of the roof or attic. These additional remediation costs may be as expensive as or more than the exclusion costs.
The following table breaks down the average cost of professional bat removal and common services paired with bat exclusion:
| Service | Price (Low End) | Price (High End) |
|---|---|---|
|
Inspection |
$75 |
$250 |
|
Bat exclusion |
$400–$600 |
$8,500 |
|
Guano removal |
$500 |
$8,400 |
Cost information in this article was sourced from Fixr and Angi.
Factors Affecting Bat Removal Cost
The cost of bat removal is affected by numerous factors, including colony size, guano cleanup, and dead bat removal. Here is a list of the factors that increase the cost of bat removal services:
- Colony size: The primary factor in bat removal is the bat colony‘s size. The more bats occupying the space, the more difficult it will be to dislodge them safely. A large colony carries more health and safety risks, as the amount of guano and the number of dead bats will be higher.
- Colony location: The location of a colony can impact the price of exclusion. Bats search for dark, concealed locations that are high up and difficult to access. This means that your attic, chimneys, and roofline are prime real estate.
- Dead bat removal: Bats, like rodents, raccoons, and other wildlife pests, may leave their dead throughout an infestation. These bodies must be removed for an added fee.
- Guano cleaning: Bat guano, or feces, is used as an active ingredient in many industrial goods, such as fertilizer and explosives. Guano creates unsanitary conditions and spurs the growth of a dangerous fungus called Histoplasma, which can cause the condition histoplasmosis. Guano removal can be expensive and may cost as much as the exclusion itself.
- Inspections: Inspections are the least costly part of bat removal services. Inspection costs range from $75 to $200. Inspections may be costlier if the colony of bats is in a hard-to-reach area, such as a chimney.
Legality of Removing Bats
While bats are a risk to the health and structures of your home, they’re also an invaluable part of our natural ecosystem. Bats keep insect populations under control, eating mosquitoes and other pests. Many bat species across the United States are critically endangered and protected by the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, and state-level ordinances.
If you’re dealing with a bat infestation, the bats may be protected by one of these laws. Injuring, killing, or removing them without proper approval may be illegal. We always recommend hiring a professional to assess the nature of your bat infestation and remove the bats using certified, humane methods.
The bats currently recognized by the U.S. federal government as endangered or at risk include the following:
- Bulmer’s fruit bat
- Bumblebee bat
- Florida bonneted bat
- Gray bat
- Hawaiian hoary bat
- Indiana bat
- Little Mariana fruit bat
- Mariana fruit bat
- Mexican long-nosed bat
- Northern long-eared bat
- Ozark big-eared bat
- Pacific sheath-tailed bat
- Rodrigues fruit bat
- Singapore roundleaf horseshoe bat
Professional Exclusion vs. DIY Removal
While some pests can be removed with DIY methods, we don’t recommend removing bats yourself due to the health risks and legal protections associated with bats. However, you can take DIY measures to safeguard your home against bats. If bats have infiltrated your home, we recommend Terminix for professional bat exclusion.
DIY Methods
Ensure your home is unwelcoming to bats by taking the following steps:
- Add a chimney cap: Invading bats often roost in the chimney. An easy way to keep them out is by installing a chimney cap.
- Seal entry points: Bats use cracks, gaps, and other openings in soffits and fascia to access attics. You can seal these openings with an expanding foam. If the opening is too large, add a wire mesh screen to block access. Do-it-yourself sealing can cost between $150 to $1,500, depending on the number of entry points.
- Invest in bat houses: Bat houses are small, box-shaped houses that are designed to attract bats. Installing bat houses provides bats with an alternative nesting area to your home. Additionally, bat houses help fortify the local ecosystem by giving these small pest control experts a safe place to stay.
Terminix
Terminix is a nationally recognized pest control company. Its bat control program involves Teminix sealing off the entry points in your attic, installing one-way valves to get the bats out, cleaning up any bat droppings, and doing annual upkeep to ensure they don’t come back.
Our Recommendation
If you have a bat infestation in your home, we recommend reaching out to a pest control company. A pest control professional can assess the severity of the infestation, determine the species of bats, and remove them safely. Many national pest control brands do not offer bat exclusion or removal services, with the exception of Terminix.
Bat Removal Cost FAQ
Why are bats so expensive to get rid of?
Bats are expensive to get rid of because traditional pest control treatments can’t be used on them. Many bat species are protected, so pest control companies must use nonlethal removal techniques that are difficult and expensive.
Can you remove bats yourself?
Bats should not be removed yourself due to the associated health hazards and legal concerns. We recommend hiring a professional to remove bats.
How long does it take to get bats out of the attic?
The amount of time it takes to get bats out of the attic depends on the size and location of the colony. On average, it can take between three days and one week for bats to completely vacate your home.
What is the best way to get rid of bats?
Most professional pest control companies use a combination of techniques to get rid of bats. The most common method is a series of tubes containing one-way doors. The bats will leave through these one-way exits to feed and won’t be able to return. Methods such as harmless gasses and repellents can be used in conjunction with these tubes to make the bats vacate more quickly.
Will homeowners insurance cover bat removal?
No, most homeowners insurance does not cover bat or other critter removal. Some policies cover the damage done by pests, but only under specific circumstances.
How We Chose the Top Pest Control Companies
Our pest control research process starts with analyzing customer reviews on third-party websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google Reviews. We then do a deep dive into each company’s website, service plans, and available cost information. We also secret shop the companies we review, reach out to representatives, and request quotes.
From there, we compile the information we’ve gathered and compare each company using our in-depth pest control methodology and review criteria. This process uses a series of factors that are important to our readers, and we score each company depending on how well they perform in each factor. For instance, companies that offer more guarantees for their service earned more points than others, and pest control plans with a larger range of covered pests earned more points than ones with fewer.
After analyzing dozens of residential and commercial pest control businesses through this process, we were able to determine the best pest control companies on the market.
