Bats can be fascinating creatures to observe from a distance—darting through the twilight skies of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, as they feed on mosquitoes and other flying insects. But when they make their way into attics, walls, or chimneys, the situation quickly shifts from intriguing to concerning. Bats inside homes or buildings aren’t just an annoyance; they can pose real issues for property owners and even affect health. These animals tend to squeeze into the smallest of gaps, which means many homeowners don’t realize they’ve got an issue until the problem has grown significantly.
One of the main concerns with these flying invaders is guano—their droppings—which builds up fast and carries with it a strong, musty odor. Over time, guano can cause structural damage, ruin insulation, and promote the growth of mold and bacteria. There’s also the added worry of parasites like bat bugs, which are closely related to bed bugs and can be just as troublesome. While most species aren't aggressive and don’t go out of their way to interact with people, the possibility of contact brings up the risk of rabies transmission, making their presence indoors something you just can’t ignore.
How They Find Their Way In
It doesn't take a gaping hole in your roof for bats to get in. Small gaps in siding, open vents, uncapped chimneys, and loose shingles can serve as perfect entry points. These creatures are both nimble and persistent. If they sense warmth and a quiet place to roost, they’ll find a way to get there. Attics are particularly inviting, offering shelter, darkness, and isolation.
In areas like Jackson Hole, where cooler temperatures and wilderness are part of everyday life, the boundary between outdoor habitat and human structures can blur. Bats don’t necessarily intend to move into homes, but development and shifting environmental conditions push them closer to residential areas. Once inside, they tend to return to the same spot year after year unless measures are taken to keep them out for good.
The problem is that many homeowners don’t even notice the signs at first. A faint scratching sound in the attic. An unusual stain forming on the ceiling. A brief glimpse of something winged exiting the roofline at dusk. By the time it becomes obvious, there’s often a full colony settled in.
The Right Way To Remove Bats
Dealing with these animals isn’t about traps or poisons. In fact, most species are protected under federal or state laws, which means removal must be handled according to specific regulations. What matters most is strategy—an approach that focuses on exclusion, not extermination.
Professional removal begins with a thorough inspection to figure out exactly how bats are getting in and where they’ve set up shop. From there, we identify primary and secondary entry points, install one-way valves that allow the creatures to exit but not return, and then begin sealing everything up. Timing matters, too. If it’s maternity season and young bats can’t fly yet, eviction efforts can be delayed until the juveniles are mobile, which adds another layer of complexity.
Once the problem wildlife has been removed, there’s still work to do. Cleanup is essential. Guano needs to be removed carefully to avoid spreading spores, insulation often has to be replaced, and sometimes structural repairs are needed to reverse the damage caused over time. Removal isn’t just a matter of getting rid of the animals—it’s about restoring your home and making sure they don’t come back.
Preventing The Problem From Coming Back
Exclusion is only effective if it's followed by proper sealing and monitoring. Bats are creatures of habit. If your property has offered them a place to roost in the past, they’re likely to return to try again. Keeping them out requires attention to detail—covering vents with durable screening, sealing cracks, inspecting the roofline regularly, and staying aware of potential vulnerabilities.
We’ve seen how properties in and around Jackson Hole, with their rustic architecture and natural materials, can sometimes lend themselves to bat issues. Wooden soffits, shake roofs, and stone chimneys create hiding spots and entry points that aren’t always obvious to the untrained eye. Staying ahead of bat intrusions often means bringing in a set of experienced eyes who know what to look for and how to address it in a way that works long term.
Prevention isn’t just a one-time fix—it’s part of maintaining a building that coexists responsibly with the surrounding wildlife. And when it comes to bats, the best solution is one that respects the role they play in the environment while firmly keeping them where they belong: outside.
At RM Wildlife And Pest Solutions, we handle removal with a professional, thorough approach that protects both your property and the animals involved. Our focus is on long-term solutions, not temporary fixes. If you suspect bats have moved into your home or building—or you just want to make sure they stay out—get in touch with us. We’re here to answer your questions, provide expert inspections, and restore peace of mind. Contact today to schedule a service or learn more about what we can do for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bats
Q1. Why do bats choose to roost in homes, and how do they get inside?
A1. Bats are drawn to warm, dark, and undisturbed spaces—perfectly mimicked by attics, wall voids, and eaves in homes. These areas offer safety and shelter, especially during maternity season when the females seek a secure spot to raise their young. They can enter through gaps as small as a half-inch wide—think of chimney gaps, loose fascia boards, attic vents, or missing roof shingles. Often, homeowners have no idea there’s a colony until they hear squeaking, see droppings, or witness a few of them flying out at dusk.
Q2. Is it dangerous to have them in my attic, or should I just leave them alone?
A2. While these creatures are vital to the ecosystem as natural pest controllers, having them in your attic poses serious health risks. Their droppings, or guano, can accumulate quickly, leading to respiratory diseases like histoplasmosis. Bats can also carry rabies—even if rare, a single bite or scratch can transmit the virus. Ignoring a colony can lead to structural damage from waste buildup and potential infestations of parasites such as mites and bat bugs (relatives of bed bugs). Professional removal is the safest route for both humans and the animals.
Q3. Can I remove them myself, or is professional removal necessary?
A3. DIY bat removal is not only risky—it’s often illegal, especially during maternity season when their babies are flightless. Trapping or excluding adults at this time can leave the young behind to die, creating a secondary problem of odor and decay. Professionals use humane exclusion methods that allow the creatures to leave but not return, sealing off entry points after ensuring all animals are safely out. The process requires an understanding of their behavior, legal protections, and proper cleanup protocols—making expert help essential for a safe, effective, and permanent solution.