It’s not uncommon for Houston homeowners to discover bats roosting in their attics or walls. With a warm climate and an abundance of bayous, parks, and trees, Houston provides ideal habitat for these nocturnal creatures. But sharing your home with bats can pose health risks from bat droppings and should be addressed promptly. This guide covers the common bat species in Houston, signs of infestation, bat removal in Houston best practices, and how to prevent future colonies from settling in your home.

Common Bat Species in the Houston Area

There are over 20 bat species found in Texas, several of which are prevalent in the Houston metropolitan area:

Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats

Tadarida brasiliensis are small bats recognizable by their tails that extend beyond the membrane between their legs. They form very large colonies, often in attics.

Big Brown Bats

Eptesicus fuscus are widespread and roost in buildings. These medium sized bats have brown fur.

Evening Bats

Nycticeius humeralis are aptly named for their early evening activity. These small bats use cavities in trees and buildings for roosting.

Tri-Colored Bats

Perimyotis subflavus have yellowish or olive fur with tri-colored facial markings. They roost in trees and occasionally buildings.

Understanding the common bat species can help pest control identify how they got into your home and any health hazards. Proper identification also ensures humane removal tactics for less common protected species.

Signs You Have a Bat Infestation

Bats try to hide when roosting in human structures. But there are telltale signs your home has unwelcome bat inhabitants:

• Bat droppings – Granular, dark bat guano may accumulate in attics or wall spaces. The droppings carry health risks from bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Bat sounds – High-pitched chattering indicates an active colony. Sounds may be heard at dusk when bats depart to feed.
• Odor – An ammonia-like odor can occur from bat urine and guano accumulation.
• Bats exiting at dusk – Bats exiting en masse at sunset is a clear sign a structure is being used as a roost.
• Grease marks – Rub marks around openings may indicate common entry points.
• Empty roosts – After migrating in the winter, vacant roosts with guano buildup remain.

If you observe any of these signs, it’s imperative to act quickly to remove bats and any contaminated areas. After removal, the next step is safely sealing entry points.

Why You Should Never DIY Bat Removal

When facing a bat infestation, your first instinct may be to attempt removal on your own. But there are crucial reasons to always hire a professional licensed wildlife control company for bat elimination:

• Health hazards – Improper exposure to bat droppings can result in dangerous histoplasmosis or rabies transmission. Professionals have specialized hazmat suits and respirators.
• Colony confusion – DIY eviction techniques like spray repellents, lights, or fans will only scatter bats instead of fully removing them. This prolongs the issue and makes future removal more difficult once bats relocate. Physical exclusion and re-entry proofing requires specific expertise.
• Bats are tenacious – With an ability to squeeze through tiny gaps and cling to rough surfaces, bats are notoriously stubborn about staying put in a roost. Patience and strategic capture methods are required for total extraction.
• Protecting bat colonies – Not all bat species can be legally removed. Professionals know how to spot less common bats and install one-way exclusion devices to remove colonies humanely over time.
• Fixing entry points – Sealing all possible openings thoroughly after removal is crucial to prevent new colonies. Professionals have the tools and knowledge to identify common entry areas.

Attempting bat control without proper training will likely fail or make your bat predicament worse in the long run. For a safe and effective elimination process, the pros are best equipped for bat eviction and exclusion projects.

Professional Bat Removal Process

Reputable wildlife companies follow strict protocols to systematically remove infestations:

Inspection

After a visual assessment of your home and review of signs like guano and rub marks, technicians will pinpoint roost access points and strategize the removal plan. Additional detection methods like acoustic monitors or infrared cameras may be used.

Exclusion & Eviction

One-way exclusion devices are installed at main entry areas, allowing bats to leave but not re-enter. As the colony funnels down to the last exit, technicians capture and safely remove remaining bats. Trapping and relocation are never permitted due to health and ecological risks.

Sanitization & Decontamination

Any areas contaminated by guano are fully sanitized to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses. Professional disinfectants and hazmat suits are utilized to clean infected attics or wall voids. Airborne particles may also be addressed with fogging systems.

Proofing & Sealing

After removal and sanitizing, technicians seal shut all possible entry points. This may involve small repairs, new flashing installation, caulking gaps, screening vents, and sealing eave gaps. Quarter-inch mesh guards may be added to deter future colonies.

Follow-up Inspections

Most companies will schedule follow-up inspections after proofing the structure. Monitoring with cameras or motion sensors confirms if any bats attempt to return and re-seal openings if needed. Follow-up visits ensure your home remains free of bats.

With their extensive experience, humane gear, and systematic process, professional wildlife control companies offer the safest, most effective solution for eliminating unwanted bats from your Houston property.

Preventative Measures to Avoid Future Colonies

While professional removal is sometimes necessary, there are also preventative actions Houston homeowners can take to avoid issues with bats gaining access in the first place:

• Seal any gaps, holes, or cracks in the exterior with caulk, foam, flashing, wood, or metal. Pay special attention around eaves, vents, chimneys, and attic gable ends.
• Screen off all vent openings with quarter-inch metal mesh once you confirm no bats are trapped inside.
• Ensure attic doors or exterior hatches seal tightly when shut. Weatherstrip around gaps if needed.
• Trim back any tree branches touching the roof or siding.
• Install and turn on exterior lights at night to deter bats from approaching.
• Clean out cluttered attics and vent blockages that make areas more attractive to bats.

With some DIY maintenance and proofing measures, Houston homeowners can help reduce the chances of bats infiltrating the home. But if an infestation does occur, never hesitate to call professional bat removal experts promptly to get the situation safely under control.

Conclusion

Houston’s warm climate makes it vulnerable to bat infiltrations when the nocturnal mammals seek shelter to roost and raise pups. Bats in the home can pose serious health risks from accumulation of guano and should be dealt with immediately. Well-trained professional wildlife control companies in Houston have the expertise, tools and systematic process to fully remove colonies and seal entry points. With proper prevention steps and prompt professional response when bats do invade, homeowners can protect their families and avoid unfortunate run-ins with these cave-dwelling creatures.