Bat Removal Cost Breakdown
Bats seek shelter in human-made structures because their preferred homes, caves and trees, are disappearing at an alarming rate. So while you do not want bats hanging out in your house, try to err on the side of empathy when it comes to removal. Most modern bat removal services are well-versed in humane methods of elimination.
Bat removal services typically charge a flat fee that covers inspection, labor, and materials. It is illegal to kill bats in many parts of the country, as they are a protected species. Instead of extermination, your technician will practice exclusion. This method involves luring bats out of your home via one-way doors and sealing up entry points. A typical exclusion costs $300 to $1,500 or more, depending on the size of the colony and its location. Removing a single bat is much less costly, at around $230 to $650.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how you can expect to spend your money when hiring a bat removal specialist:
Single Bat Removal
If a bat got into your home by accident, a humane wildlife control company will catch it and release it back into the wild. This service costs an average of $430, though it depends on how easily they can get to the critter. If your pro spotted some obvious entry points during the removal, they might recommend sealing them up to dissuade future bats from entering your home. Sealing costs $150 to $1,500, depending on the number of entry points and how accessible they are.
Inspection
Even if you’ve already spotted tell-tale signs of a bat infestation, your pro will inspect to determine the size and location of the colony, as well as any entry points they created along the way. An inspection costs up to $300, but most pros will wrap this up in your final bill.
Exclusion of a Colony
As previously mentioned, the only way to humanely remove a bat colony is by practicing something called exclusion. Your pro will find the colony and set up one-way exit tubes, encouraging the bats with a harmless gas to enter the tubes and leave your home.
Once the bats have left, the technician seals up all entry points. Excluding a colony of two to 50 bats and sealing multiple entry points costs $300 to $1,500. Excluding a larger colony of 50 to 200 bats along with sealing multiple entry points costs $1,500 to $8,000.
What Factors Influence the Cost of Bat Removal?
Exclusion is a complex and often time-consuming procedure and varies depending on the size and layout of your home. Additionally, other factors impact the overall cost.
Guano Removal
Bat droppings are officially called guano, and they actually pose a fairly significant health risk. Bat guano can cause an infection called histoplasmosis. This infection spreads via airborne spores of a fungus that lives on the droppings, so it is crucial to have a professional handle the removal process.
Guano removal costs anywhere from $600 to $8,500, depending on how bad your infestation was and the size of your home. Talk to your bat removal specialist before setting up an appointment for guano removal, as they may suggest waiting a few weeks (or even months) to see if the exclusion worked. Additionally, not every infestation produces enough guano to warrant removal.
Repairing Damage and Attic Restoration
Bats can cause damage to drywall, insulation, and various structures throughout the home. Additionally, bat guano can ruin insulation and drywall, necessitating replacement. If bats took up residence in your attic or elsewhere in your home, hire a general contractor to repair any damage they caused. These repairs cost $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the level of damage.
Installing a Bat Habitat
Providing an alternative habitat for a bat colony could provide them with a new place to roost, thus dissuading the bats from trying to gain re-entry to your home. Bat houses cost $100 to $2,700, with professional installation costing $100 to $500. Some bat houses can hang from a tree on your property, eliminating the need for added labor costs. Encourage the bats to use these alternative accommodations by making sure they are at least 12 feet high.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Bats Yourself?
DIY exclusion kits cost anywhere from $25 to $150, though opting for one of these kits instead of hiring a professional carries some serious risk. Bats carry rabies and fleas, and bat guano can cause severe respiratory illness, which primarily spreads during removal. Additionally, exclusion can be tricky and time-consuming. There are ways to remove the bats from your home on your own, but it doesn’t guarantee success. It’s smarter to hand this one off to the pros and focus your bat-related talents on Halloween decorations.
