If bats have found their way into your attic, walls, or chimney, our Ellijay Bat Removal experts provide fast, effective, and humane solutions to protect your home. While bats are essential for keeping mosquito and insect populations in check, having them inside your property can lead to serious health and structural issues. Bat guano (droppings) can cause strong odors, insulation damage, and contamination, increasing the risk of diseases like Histoplasmosis. Additionally, bats can carry rabies, posing a potential threat 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.

Homeowners in Coosawattee River Resort and communities along Old Highway 5 and Highway 515 benefit from our precise bat exclusion and humane bat hand removal, ensuring protection near Downtown Ellijay and Gilmer County Fairgrounds.

Q) Why do bats keep getting into homes in Ellijay?

A) Bats aren’t necessarily attracted to specific homes, but they seek out safe, elevated spaces that mimic their natural roosts, like caves and tree hollows. Ellijay’s forests, rivers, and mountain terrain make the area a prime habitat for bats, and homes with gable vents, open soffits, or unsealed attic spaces provide the perfect refuge.

Q) How do I know if bats are in my attic and not another pest?

A) Unlike rodents, bats do not chew on wood or wires. Key signs of a bat infestation include fluttering sounds at dawn and dusk, dark smudges around attic vents or soffits, and small piles of guano (bat droppings) near entry points. If you see bats flying in and out of your home at dusk, it’s a strong indication they have a roost inside.

Q) What should I do if I find a bat flying inside my home?

A) Stay calm and avoid direct contact. If the bat is flying, it’s likely looking for a way out. Turn off indoor lights, open a window or exterior door, and let it exit on its own. If the bat doesn’t leave or lands somewhere, call a professional. If anyone may have touched the bat, safely contain it and take it to the local health department for rabies testing.

Q) Is it legal to remove bats in Ellijay?

A) Yes, bat removal is legal, but bats are protected under state and federal law, meaning they cannot be harmed during the removal process. Professionals use exclusion-based techniques, allowing bats to leave safely but preventing their return. Improper removal could result in fines or legal consequences.

Q) What is bat exclusion, and why is it the preferred method?

A) Bat exclusion is the only effective and legally approved method for removing bats. It involves installing one-way bat valves, which allow bats to exit naturally while blocking their return. Once all bats have vacated, professionals seal up all entry points with wildlife-proof materials to ensure they do not return. Most bat exclusion services include a 10-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Q) How long does it take to remove bats from an attic?

A) The timeframe depends on where the bats are roosting. If they are isolated in a gable vent, removal may be completed in one day. If they have breached the attic, a one-way bat valve is required, allowing them to exit over the course of about a week before sealing up the entry points.

Q) Do bats cause damage to homes?

A) Yes, bat infestations can lead to serious structural damage over time. Bat guano accumulates, corrodes insulation, stains walls, and creates strong odors. If not removed properly, the lingering ammonia-like smell can persist for years. Professional decontamination and attic restoration are necessary to fully eliminate the damage.

Q) Are bats in Ellijay more active during certain times of the year?

A) Yes, bats in Ellijay are most active from spring through early fall. They typically migrate or hibernate in winter, depending on the species. Maternity season (May–August) is when female bats give birth and raise their young, making it illegal to exclude bats during this period. Fall is the best time for bat removal.

Q) How do bats get into homes in Ellijay?

A) Bats can squeeze through gaps as small as ½ inch. Common entry points include gable vents, ridge vents, attic soffits, and loose siding or roofing. Full-home bat exclusion requires sealing all gaps while ensuring bats are safely removed first.

Q) Will bats return after professional exclusion?

A) If exclusion is done correctly, bats should not return. Wildlife control professionals seal all possible access points, including backup entry locations bats might try next. In over 15 years of experience, we’ve seen only two cases where bats found a new, unexpected entry, which was resolved.

Q) Should I be worried if my neighbor has a bat problem?

A) Yes, there is an increased risk. If a bat colony is removed from a nearby home, they may search for another roosting site close by. Homes with similar attic designs, unsealed vents, or nearby trees are at risk. A professional inspection can help prevent an infestation before it happens.

Q) Is bat guano dangerous, and why does it require professional cleaning?

A) Yes, bat guano can be hazardous. It may contain fungal spores that cause Histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection that can affect humans and pets. If dried guano is disturbed, airborne spores can be inhaled, posing a health risk. Professional cleanup with HEPA filtration and medical-grade disinfectants is necessary to eliminate contamination.

Q) Do bats bite humans, and are they dangerous?

A) Bats do not attack humans, but they will bite if handled or threatened. While rabies transmission is rare, if a bat is found inside a living space, it’s best to assume potential exposure. Never attempt to handle a bat with bare hands. If a bat is inside your home and someone was sleeping in the same room, consult the health department about rabies precautions.

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

A) No, bats do not chew through materials like rodents. However, their guano and urine can corrode insulation, wood, and drywall, leading to long-term attic damage. A prolonged infestation can cause significant restoration costs if not addressed early.

Q) How much does bat removal cost in Ellijay, GA?

A) The cost depends on factors like the number of entry points, roof height, attic access, and whether a one-way bat valve is needed. Most professional bat exclusions range from $500 to $2,000, including a 10-year warranty to ensure effectiveness.