If you’ve ever heard fluttering wings in your attic or spotted droppings near your eaves, you may have bats living under your roof. While these flying mammals play an important role in Missouri’s ecosystem, they’re not ideal housemates. Bats can cause structural damage, pose health risks, and make parts of your home uninhabitable. Understanding their role in nature — and how to safely remove them — is key to keeping your home protected.
The Benefits Bats Bring
Before you panic, it’s important to recognize the positive impact bats have. In Missouri, most species feed on insects, including mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. A single bat can eat thousands of insects in one night, which naturally helps with pest control. Some species are even pollinators or aid in seed dispersal. In short, bats are beneficial — just not when they take up residence in your attic or walls.
Why Bats Choose Your Home
Bats are drawn to quiet, dark, and warm places, making attics, soffits, and chimneys ideal shelters. They often enter through small cracks or gaps in siding, vents, or roofing. Once inside, colonies can grow over time. Their droppings, known as guano, can accumulate quickly and cause odor, staining, and even respiratory issues from mold spores.
The Risks of Bat Infestation
While bats themselves typically avoid human interaction, they can introduce real hazards. Guano buildup can damage insulation and ceilings. There’s also the risk of histoplasmosis, a fungal disease linked to bat droppings. Although rare, bats can carry rabies, making direct contact a health concern. Because of these risks, professional intervention is often necessary.
Safe and Humane Eviction
Bats are protected under both state and federal laws, especially during maternity season (typically May through August in Missouri), when young bats are unable to fly. This makes timing crucial. The most effective and humane method for removal is exclusion, allowing bats to leave but preventing re-entry. One-way exit devices are often installed, followed by sealing up entry points once the bats have safely left.
Critter Control’s Role in Restoring Your Home
At Critter Control of SW Missouri, we specialize in responsible bat removal that prioritizes both your safety and the well-being of these important animals. Our technicians conduct thorough inspections to identify entry points and colony size, implement exclusion strategies, and provide cleanup services for guano and contaminated insulation. We also help prevent future infestations by sealing and reinforcing vulnerable areas of your home.
The Right Response to Bat Intrusions
Bats play a crucial role in our environment, but their place is outside, not in your attic. If you suspect a bat problem in your home, don’t wait — early intervention can prevent costly damage and reduce health risks. Trust Critter Control of SW Missouri to restore your peace of mind with professional, effective bat eviction services.