The best time of year to remove bats is autumn until spring. In fact, many states have restrictions on bat removal, mandating it to start sometime in August and go up until May. For some states, the removal period stops in March. Your pest control pro should know of any restrictions and can help you pick an optimal time for removal.

Numerous predators kill hornets, including frogs, birds, lizards, bats, spiders, and hedgehogs. Some larger predators, including rats, skunks, and racoons, will occasionally attack a hornet nest in order to eat the larvae inside. These natural predators typically don’t eat enough hornets to make them an effective form of hornet control. 

If you’ve had a prior bat infestation or simply want to avoid having bats invade your home in the first place, there are a few steps you can take without the need for a pro. 

• Seal entry points, such as where your chimney meets your house, or other gaps or holes exist.

• Use bat deterrents like bright lights or ultrasonic devices to force them away from your home. 

• Reduce bat attractions like standing water and bird nectar feeders inviting bats into your yard.

A treatment from a pest control service can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on the type of treatment, what pest it’s treating, and what environment you live in. This is why pest control service companies often offer packages where they come out multiple times a year to apply treatment to the outside or inside of your home.