Bats in the attic
An attic is close to perfect for a bat colony: dark, warm, sheltered and reached through gaps you will never notice from the ground. Most attic colonies are big brown bats or little brown bats, and many are maternity colonies of females raising one pup each over the summer.
Getting them out means exclusion: sealing the house around them and letting them leave through one-way devices. A small attic job usually comes in at $400 to $1,500, with guano cleanup and new insulation on top where the droppings have built up.
Signs you have bats in the attic
- Bats streaming out of a gable vent, ridge or soffit corner around sunset.
- Dark droppings that crumble to a glittery dust (insect wings) when pressed with a stick. Mouse droppings stay hard.
- Brown or greasy stains around a gap in the trim, from bats rubbing in and out.
- Scratching or chirping overhead at dusk and before dawn.
- A sharp ammonia smell in the attic or upstairs rooms.
- A bat in an upstairs room, especially in late summer when young bats wander.
Typical costs for an attic colony
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Inspection Finding the roost and every gap; often credited against the job | $75 to $400 |
| Exclusion, under 50 bats Devices and sealing | $400 to $1,500 |
| Exclusion, 50 to 200 bats Larger colony, more exits | $2,000 to $8,000 |
| Guano cleanup Removal, HEPA vacuuming, disinfection and disposal | $500 to $8,000 |
| Attic restoration New insulation and repairs after cleanup | $2,500 to $5,000+ |
Ranges drawn from three national home-services cost guides, checked November 2026. US dollars. A guide, not a quote. See the bat removal cost guide.
Why not just wait for winter?
It depends where you live and which bats you have. Little brown bats usually leave buildings in fall to hibernate in caves and mines, so an empty winter attic can simply be sealed. Big brown bats often stay and hibernate in the attic itself, and several states restrict exclusion in winter too, because a bat pushed out in freezing weather dies. Penn State Extension's calendar (Timing for Excluding Bats) sums it up: watch in summer, use one-way doors from August to October, and seal empty buildings in late fall and winter.
What to know before anyone climbs into the attic
Do not block them in
Sealing the outside while bats are inside sends them looking for another way out, and that way is often through the ceiling into your rooms.
Do not disturb the droppings
Dried guano can carry the fungus that causes histoplasmosis. NIOSH treats large accumulations as high risk and advises a powered or full-face respirator (NIOSH).
Check the calendar
In summer the colony likely has flightless young. Most state agencies ask you to wait until mid-August before excluding.
Seal the inside now
Gaps from the attic into rooms (around the hatch, light fittings, pipes) can be sealed any time. That keeps bats out of the house while you wait.
Look at the insulation
Wet, stained or compacted insulation under the roost will need to come out once the bats are gone.
Think about a bat house
Giving the colony somewhere nearby to go can make the exclusion smoother. It must be up before the bats are shut out.
Bats overhead tonight? A specialist can usually inspect within days.
Get a quoteHow an attic job usually goes
Inspect and watch
Roof, trim and vents are checked for gaps, and a dusk watch shows which ones the bats use.
Exclude
Secondary gaps are sealed and one-way devices go on the exits. A week of good weather empties the attic.
Seal for good
Devices come down and the exits are closed with materials that match the roof and trim.
Clean and restore
Droppings and soiled insulation are removed, the area is treated, and new insulation goes in.
Before you book
Are bats in the attic dangerous?
The bats themselves rarely bother anyone, but they can carry rabies and their droppings can spread histoplasmosis spores. Never handle a bat, and keep children and pets out of the attic. CDC: bats and rabies.
How do I get bats out of my attic?
By exclusion: seal every gap except the exits, put one-way devices on the exits, wait for the bats to leave, then seal those too. Do it outside the maternity season.
How much does it cost to get bats out of an attic?
Usually $400 to $1,500 for a small colony, $2,000 to $8,000 for 50 to 200 bats, plus cleanup if the droppings are heavy.
Will homeowners insurance cover bat removal?
Most policies exclude damage from animals like bats as a maintenance issue. Check your own policy; a few cover sudden damage such as a ceiling stain spreading.
Can bats chew into my attic?
No. Bats do not chew or claw new holes. They use gaps that are already there, which is why careful sealing works.
What if I hear bats but cannot see where they get in?
Watch the house from outside for half an hour from sunset, ideally with a second person on the other side. Note every point you see one leave.
Get a quote for bats in the attic
Start with your ZIP code. Contact details come next, then a few taps about the bats.
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If a bat was in a room where someone was asleep, keep it contained if it is safe to do so and call your local health department today.