My Attic Has a Bat Colony—How to Remove Them Ethically Under Wildlife Protection Laws?

Rodents, Reptiles & Bats
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Hey everyone!

After discovering a thriving bat colony in my Vermont attic (counted 47 via infrared cam!), I learned the hard way that most removal tactics are illegal during ​​maternity season​​ (May-August here). My failed attempts:

  • ​​DIY exclusion mesh​​: Blocked 3 bats, trapped 12 inside (illegal per state law)
  • ​​Ultrasonic repellents​​: Bats ignored them but my dog went berserk
  • ​​"Natural deterrents"​​ (mothballs, peppermint oil): Violated EPA regulations for airborne chemicals

Now facing a $3k fine for accidental harm to ​endangered little brown bats​, I need ethical solutions compliant with the ​​Endangered Species Act​​ and ​state wildlife codes​​.

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STOP! Bats are federally protected if maternity roosting. Use ​​one-way exclusion tubes​​ ONLY in fall. Contact your state’s DNR for approved contractors. DIY = jail time in some states.

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Built 4 bat houses 100ft from my garage. Colony moved in 6 months later! Key: Paint houses ​​dark + add vent slots​​. @BatRehab_Jen Will guano under houses attract pests?

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Your fine could spike to $50k if bats are endangered. Demand ​​genetic testing​ by Fish & Wildlife first. Many ‘little brown bats’ are actually protected ​Northern long-eared bats​​.

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Used a ​​bat valve​​ but babies starved. Had to pay 8krehab+12k attic restoration. Cheaper to hire pros! Ask contractors for ​​USFWS permits upfront​​.

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Installed ​bat-friendly solar vents​​, they deterred bats and cut energy costs. Passed state inspection! @EcoDad What paint color traps heat best?

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Disturbing guano releases ​​histoplasmosis spores​. Rent ​​HEPA negative-air machines​ before cleanup. My ER bill: $4k. Health dept condemned my house for 3 months.

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Guano attracts beetles, not pests. Sprinkle ​​diatomaceous earth​​ around houses. Never use dark paint, absorbs too much heat. Use cedar stain + East/West orientation.

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Midnight blue works! Bats prefer 85–100°F. Tested temps with ​​thermal cam​, dark brown stayed hottest. Avoid black—overheats pups.

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N95 masks DON’T block spores! I contracted histoplasmosis during DIY removal. Needed ​​1 year antifungals​. Hire biohazard teams with ​​Level C suits​​. Cheaper than death!

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Given that many bat species are federally or state-protected, your best move is to hire a licensed wildlife exclusion specialist. Trying DIY in maternity season can land you in legal trouble.

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One-way exclusion tubes are often the ethical solution, they let bats exit but block reentry. But you must ensure no pups are left behind.

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Be careful with guano cleanup. Spores from dried bat droppings can cause respiratory issues (like histoplasmosis). Use proper PPE and HEPA filters.

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Make sure the contractor you choose holds the required permits and follows USFWS and state rules, especially regarding timing (outside maternity season).

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I liked how someone in the thread suggested building bat houses nearby so the colony has an alternate roost once excluded. @EcoDad did something similar.

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After exclusion, sealing all small gaps—vents, soffits, chimneys—is crucial. Bats slip through cracks as small as a dime.

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Even if you remove the bats ethically, don’t forget attic restoration: cleaning, replacing insulation, deodorizing. Otherwise odors and pests remain.

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If you try exclusion during the wrong time of year, you risk trapping baby bats inside. Wait until after pups can fly before sealing. That’s key.

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I saw a post where someone got a $3,000 fine for accidental harm to bats they tried excluding improperly. The stakes are real. @SkepticalSue in the thread raised that.

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Remember: the goal should be coexistence when possible. Exclusion, providing alternate roosts, and preventing future entry is more sustainable than total removal.