Removing Bats Without Causing Harm

Bat control in Media and throughout Delaware County using exclusion methods to remove bats from attics, roofs, and wall spaces.

If you hear scratching sounds in your attic at dusk or notice a strong ammonia smell near your ceiling in Media, Wallingford, Brookhaven and beyond, bats may be roosting in your home. You might see droppings on the attic floor or staining near gaps where bats enter and exit at night. Delaware County Animal Control specializes in bat removal from attics, roofs, and wall spaces using exclusion-based methods that allow bats to leave safely without allowing them to return.


The service focuses on addressing bat entry points common in older Delaware County homes, including gaps along roof edges, openings around chimneys, and spaces where siding meets the roofline. Bats can squeeze through openings as small as a half inch, so identifying every access point is part of the process. This work helps reduce health concerns tied to bat droppings and odors, which can accumulate quickly when bats roost in enclosed spaces.


Contact Delaware County Animal Control for professional bat control service in the Media, PA area.

Using exclusion devices to let bats leave safely

The exclusion process in Media begins with a thorough inspection to locate all entry points bats are using. The team installs one-way exclusion devices that allow bats to exit at night but prevent them from reentering. Other potential entry points are sealed immediately to funnel bat activity through the exclusion device. This method is effective and avoids trapping bats inside, which can lead to odor and health concerns.


After exclusion is complete, you will no longer hear movement in the attic at night or see bats entering your home at dusk. The smell should dissipate once droppings are removed and ventilation improves. The sealed entry points should remain intact through weather changes and prevent bats from returning in future seasons.


The service does not include attic restoration or insulation replacement, though the team can recommend those steps if contamination is significant. Exclusion work is typically performed outside of maternity season to avoid separating young bats from adults. The process takes several days to confirm all bats have exited before final sealing is done.

Here is what homeowners usually ask first

People dealing with bats in their home often have concerns about timing, safety, and whether the problem will come back, so these questions address what matters most before and during the exclusion process.

What is bat exclusion and how does it work?
Bat exclusion uses one-way devices installed at entry points that let bats leave but not return. Other openings are sealed so bats cannot reenter, and the devices are removed once all bats have exited.
When can bat exclusion be performed?
Exclusion is typically performed outside of maternity season, which runs from late spring through mid-summer. This timing avoids trapping flightless young bats inside, which would create additional problems.
How long does the bat control process take?
The exclusion process takes several days to a week, depending on the size of the colony and the number of entry points. The team monitors activity to confirm all bats have left before sealing the final openings.
What health risks do bats pose inside a home?
Bat droppings can contain harmful fungi that affect respiratory health, and urine creates strong odors that permeate living spaces. Bats can also carry rabies, though direct contact is rare.
Will bats return after exclusion?
Bats will not return if all entry points are properly sealed. The team addresses gaps as small as a half inch to prevent future access, and exclusion devices ensure bats cannot reenter during the process.

Delaware County Animal Control works with homeowners throughout Delaware County to remove bats safely and prevent them from returning to attics and wall spaces. 


Get in touch to schedule bat control service.