If bats have invaded your attic, walls, or chimney, our Dawsonville Bat Removal specialists provide fast, effective, and humane solutions to restore your home’s safety. While bats help control mosquito and insect populations, their presence inside your property can lead to serious issues. Bat droppings, or guano, can create strong odors, damage insulation, and spread harmful pathogens like Histoplasmosis. Additionally, bats can carry rabies, posing a potential risk to your family and pets.

• Appearance: Large bat with glossy brown fur, broad wings, and a wingspan of about 12-14 inches.
• Habitat: Commonly roosts in attics, barns, and other buildings. They prefer warm, dark, undisturbed areas for their colonies.
• Danger: While beneficial for insect control, their guano (bat droppings) can accumulate, leading to foul odors, structural damage, and the potential spread of histoplasmosis, a respiratory disease caused by fungal spores in bat guano.

• Appearance: Small bat with brown fur and a wingspan of about 8-11 inches.
• Habitat: Often roosts in attics, eaves, and outbuildings. They are particularly attracted to older homes where they can find entry points.
• Danger: Can form large colonies that produce significant amounts of guano, which can damage insulation and drywall. Like other bats, they can carry rabies, posing a potential risk to homeowners.

• Appearance: Medium-sized bat with dark brown or black fur and a wingspan of 10-11 inches.
• Habitat: Known to roost in attics, behind shutters, and under roof tiles. They are common in suburban areas and can enter homes through small gaps in siding or roofing.
• Danger: Colonies can produce large amounts of guano, and like other bat species, they are potential carriers of rabies and can bring in ectoparasites like mites and fleas.

• Appearance: Small bat with light brown to yellowish fur, and a wingspan of 8-10 inches.
• Habitat: Often roosts in attics, barns, and other man-made structures, particularly during winter hibernation.
• Danger: Guano buildup from their colonies can cause health risks and damage to insulation and woodwork. They are also known carriers of the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, which doesn’t affect humans but can be a concern for bat populations.

• Appearance: Medium-sized with dark brown to gray fur and long, narrow wings. Known for the tail that extends beyond the membrane, giving a “free-tailed” appearance.
• Habitat: Often found roosting in large numbers in buildings, especially in attics, chimneys, and under roof tiles. This species forms large colonies and is common in both urban and rural areas.
• Danger: Large colonies can create extensive guano buildup, leading to odor problems and the potential for structural damage. They are also possible carriers of rabies and can introduce parasites into homes.

• Appearance: Small bat with grayish-brown fur and a wingspan of about 9-11 inches.
• Habitat: While they typically roost in caves, they are known to colonize buildings, especially in areas near wetlands. They may also roost in attics or behind shutters.
• Danger: Their presence can result in guano accumulation, which can cause structural issues and pose health risks due to histoplasmosis. These bats are often found in smaller colonies compared to other species.

• Appearance: Similar in appearance to the Brazilian free-tailed bat with dark fur and long wings, and a tail extending beyond the membrane.
• Habitat: Frequently roosts in large numbers in man-made structures such as attics, barns, and under roof tiles, especially in southern regions of Georgia.
• Danger: Large colonies can produce substantial guano, which can cause structural damage and health risks. These bats can also carry rabies, though transmission to humans is rare.

Bats commonly enter buildings through openings associated with the roof edge and valleys, eaves, apex of the gable, chimney, attic or roof vent, dormers, and siding trim gaps. Other openings may be found under loose-fitting doors, around windows, gaps around various conduits (wiring, plumbing, air conditioning) that pass through walls, and through utility vents.  However, about 90% of our bat removal jobs are in the gable vents alone. We only seal what we feel is necessary to keep the bats out & to-date we have never had a breach in our bat exclusion work.

In Chestatee Golf Club, Gold Creek, and Big Canoe, our bat removal experts have been pivotal. We’ve addressed bat issues along Dawson Forest Road and Highway 53, ensuring properties near North Georgia Premium Outlets and Amicalola Falls State Park remain bat-free. Homes along Shoal Creek Road and War Hill Park Road have also experienced our meticulous bat hand removal services.

---

Q) Why do bats keep choosing my home in Dawsonville?

A) Bats aren’t necessarily targeting your home, but they search for safe, enclosed spaces that resemble their natural roosts in caves or hollow trees. Many homes in Dawsonville, especially those near wooded areas, lakes, or open fields, provide the perfect conditions for bats to roost. Gable vents, attic gaps, and chimneys are some of the most common access points they use.

Q) How can I tell the difference between bats in my attic and another pest?

A) Bats are often misidentified as rodents, but they do not chew wires or wood. Signs of bats include dark stains around attic vents, small piles of guano (droppings) below entry points, and high-pitched chirping noises at dusk or dawn. Unlike rodents, bats do not scurry—instead, you’ll hear fluttering or light scratching as they adjust their position.

Q) What should I do if I see bats flying around my home at dusk?

A) Seeing bats outside your home is not necessarily a problem—they play an important role in controlling mosquitoes and insects. However, if you consistently see bats entering or exiting your attic, it’s likely they have already established a roost inside. In that case, a professional bat inspection is recommended.

Q) Is it safe to remove bats myself, or should I call a professional?

A) Bat removal should always be handled by professionals. Bats are protected by law, and removing them improperly could harm the bats or violate wildlife regulations. Additionally, handling bats without proper training increases the risk of rabies exposure or contamination from guano.

Q) How do bats enter attics, and what are their most common entry points?

A) Bats gain access through small openings along the roofline, soffits, gable vents, ridge vents, and chimneys. They can squeeze into gaps as small as ½ inch, making many homes vulnerable. A thorough inspection is required to locate all possible entry points before performing bat exclusion.

Q) Can bats cause long-term damage to my home’s attic and insulation?

A) Yes. Over time, bat guano accumulates and contaminates insulation, causing strong odors, staining, and potential structural damage. The longer bats remain inside, the more extensive the cleanup will be. Professional bat exclusion and attic sanitation are necessary to restore the affected areas.

Q) Are bats in Dawsonville more active in certain seasons?

A) Yes. Spring through early fall is the most active period for bats in Dawsonville. In the warmer months, bats establish maternity colonies, raising their young in attics and barns. Late summer and early fall are the best times for exclusion, as young bats will have learned to fly, making humane removal possible.

Q) How long does it take to get rid of bats completely?

A) The timeframe depends on how the bats have accessed the home. If they are confined to a gable vent, removal may be completed in a single day. If they have entered the attic, a one-way bat valve must be installed, allowing them to exit over about a week before sealing all entry points permanently.

Q) If my neighbor has a bat problem, does that mean I will too?

A) Not necessarily, but it does increase the risk. Bats recognize similar entry points, and if a nearby roost is excluded, they may seek out a similar structure to relocate. If a neighbor has bat issues, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection to ensure your home is sealed against future infestations.

Q) Why is bat guano dangerous, and how should it be cleaned up?

A) Bat guano can harbor fungal spores that cause Histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection that affects humans and pets. The risk increases when guano is disturbed, releasing airborne spores. Cleanup should be performed by professionals using HEPA filtration, protective suits, and commercial disinfectants to prevent contamination.

Q) Do bats bite humans, and should I worry if one is in my home?

A) Bats do not seek out humans to bite, but they will bite if handled or threatened. If you find a bat inside your home, avoid direct contact and never attempt to catch it barehanded. If there is any possibility that someone has been scratched or bitten, the bat should be safely contained and tested for rabies.

Q) Can bats chew through wood, wires, or insulation?

A) No. Unlike rodents, bats do not chew or gnaw on materials. However, their guano and urine can corrode insulation, drywall, and wood, leading to long-term structural damage. If an infestation is left untreated, it can compromise the integrity of attic spaces over time.

Q) What makes professional bat exclusion different from DIY methods?

A) Professional bat exclusion involves identifying every possible entry point, installing one-way bat valves, and using wildlife-proof materials to seal the home permanently. DIY attempts often miss hidden entry points, resulting in bats returning or becoming trapped inside. Most professionals offer a 10-year warranty to ensure effectiveness.

Q) Does homeowner’s insurance cover bat removal or attic restoration?

A) Coverage varies by policy. Some insurance providers do not cover wildlife removal, while others may cover attic restoration and damage repairs if bats have caused extensive contamination. It’s best to check with your provider to see what bat-related damage is included.

Q) How do I keep bats from coming back after removal?

A) The only way to permanently prevent bats is to seal all possible entry points using professional-grade exclusion materials. Installing bat-proof vent covers, sealing gaps along the roofline, and maintaining a well-secured attic can help keep bats out. Regular inspections ensure your home remains protected.