Wildlife & birds
Bat exclusion in Salt Lake City, UT
Bats streaming out of the gable at dusk, droppings piling up under a vent, a bat in the bedroom. Bats are protected and valuable, and they carry rabies in Utah, so they're excluded, not exterminated.
Most active
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Quick answer
Bat exclusion lets bats leave a building but not return. We find every gap they use, which is often no wider than a finger, install one-way devices at the active entries, seal the others, and remove the devices and seal the rest once the bats are gone. Timing avoids the summer pup season, when young bats can't fly yet. In Utah, bats are the most common carrier of rabies, so any bat found inside the living space should be treated as a possible exposure.
At a glance
- Best for
- Bats roosting in attics, walls, soffits and chimneys
- Method
- One-way devices, then sealing
- Timing
- Outside the summer pup season when young can't fly
- Safety
- Never handle bats bare-handed
Overview
Why bats are excluded, not killed
Bats eat huge numbers of insects and are protected, so the goal is to move them out, not kill them. Exclusion does that: one-way devices let bats fly out to feed at night but block them from returning.
The hard part is finding every gap. Bats squeeze through openings about the width of a finger at gables, ridge vents, soffits, chimneys and where siding meets trim. Seal the wrong ones first and they'll just use another.
Timing matters too. In summer, mothers leave pups that can't fly yet in the roost; excluding then would trap them inside. We plan exclusion outside that window, then seal every gap and clean up the guano once the bats are gone.
Your options
Bat exclusion, step by step
| Step | What it does |
|---|---|
| One-way devices | Let bats leave to feed but not return |
| Gap sealing | Closes every gap once the colony is out |
| Guano cleanup | Removes droppings from attics and insulation |
| Timing around pups | Avoids trapping young bats that can't fly |
Cost
What bat exclusion costs
Priced by the number of gaps, the height of the work and the cleanup needed.
Number of gaps
More entry points mean more sealing.
Height
Gables and ridge vents need ladder or lift work.
Colony size
Larger colonies can mean more cleanup.
Guano removal
Heavy droppings in insulation add to the job.
Return visits
Checks to confirm the colony has left.
What it covers
Bat services
Bats in attics
Colonies in attics, walls and soffits excluded and the entries sealed.
One-way exclusion devices
Devices at active entries that let bats out but not back in.
Sealing after bats are out
Every gap sealed and guano cleaned up once the colony has left.
Do it yourself?
What you can do
What you can do today
- Watch at dusk to see where bats leave the house.
- Keep pets vaccinated against rabies.
- Close off a room if a bat gets inside and call.
- Seek medical advice if anyone may have been bitten or woke up with a bat in the room.
What to leave alone
- Touching a bat with bare hands.
- Sealing gaps while bats are still roosting inside.
- Using repellents or poison, which don't work and can be illegal.
- Cleaning guano without protective gear.
How the visit goes
How bat exclusion goes
Inspect
Find the roost and every gap bats use, often by watching at dusk.
Seal inactive gaps
Close the gaps bats aren't using first.
Install one-way devices
Devices at the active entries so bats can leave but not return.
Confirm they're gone
Check that the roost is empty after several nights.
Seal and clean
Remove devices, seal the last gaps and clean up guano.
Before we arrive
Before we arrive
- Watch at dusk and note where bats come out.
- Clear access to the attic.
- Keep pets vaccinated and away from bats.
- Close off any room where a bat got inside.
- Don't touch or move bats.
- Unlock gates for the exterior inspection.
- Tell us if anyone had contact with a bat.
- Point out droppings and stains you've seen.
Warning signs
Signs of bats
Sign 01
Bats leaving at dusk
Bats streaming out of a gable, soffit or chimney at sunset.
Sign 02
Droppings under a gap
Small dark droppings on walls, windowsills or the ground below an entry.
Sign 03
Stains around gaps
Dark rub marks around gaps where bats squeeze in.
Sign 04
Scratching or squeaking at dusk
Noise in walls or the attic around sunset.
Sign 05
A bat inside the living space
A bat in a bedroom or living area needs attention right away.
Salt Lake conditions
Bats and rabies in Utah
Utah DWR reports that 94 of the 96 wild animals that tested positive for rabies in Utah since 2016 were bats. Utah has 18 bat species, and big brown, little brown, hoary and free-tailed bats are the ones people most often find roosting in buildings, according to the Davis County Health Department. In summer 2022 the state confirmed rabid bats in Salt Lake County and Weber County, each involving contact with a person or pet.
Health officials advise that any contact with a bat, or waking up with a bat in the room, be reported and checked by a medical provider.
Sources: wildlife.utah.gov, daviscountyutah.gov, ksltv.com
Wildlife work is mostly exclusion hardware and trapping; product lines like these cover the rodents and insects that follow.
- Protecta
- Contrac
- Temprid
- Tempo
Timing
How long bat exclusion takes
- InspectionOften an evening visit to watch the bats leave.
- ExclusionDevices stay up for several nights until the roost is empty.
- SealingFinal gaps sealed once bats are gone.
- CleanupGuano cleanup and attic sanitizing after that.
Out at dusk, and not back
One-way devices let bats leave to feed. Sealing every gap keeps the colony from returning.
Call (801) 516-0135Bats squeeze through gaps about the width of a finger.
FAQ
Bat exclusion questions from Salt Lake homeowners
Still unsure? (801) 516-0135 is answered around the clock.
No. Bats are protected and valuable insect eaters. Exclusion moves them out safely.
Outside the summer pup season, when young can't fly. We'll plan the timing with you.
Bats are the most common rabies carrier in Utah, though most bats don't have it. Never touch one bare-handed.
Close the room, keep people and pets out and call. If anyone may have been bitten, contact a medical provider.
About the width of a finger.
It can carry disease risks, so cleanup should be done with protective gear.
Not once every gap is sealed. We check that the roost is empty before final sealing.
Related services
More from wildlife & birds
From the Pest Library: What pest control costs in Salt Lake City
Talk to us
Bats in the attic?
Call now to plan exclusion. A real person answers any hour.
Homes, rentals and businesses across Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Box Elder, Morgan, Tooele and Utah counties.
