Private Bat Control and Exclusion

Bat Removal NYC & NJ | Humane Bat Control & Exclusion

Animal Control NY/NJ helps property owners inspect bat activity, identify entry points, plan safe removal, and schedule exclusion work for attics, rooflines, vents, louvers, chimneys, soffits, and upper wall openings.

Immediate Safety

Bat Found in a Living Space?

A bat inside an occupied room is different from bats using an attic or roofline opening. If a bat may have touched a person or pet, was found in a room with a sleeping person or unattended child, or possible contact is uncertain, do not handle or release it. Close the room if it is safe to do so and contact your local health department for guidance; in New York City, call 311. After the health concern is addressed, call us for removal help and inspection of possible structural entry points.

Signs and Entry Points

Common Signs of Bat Activity

Bats often use small upper-building openings that are easy to miss from the ground. A careful inspection looks for both the active area and the conditions that allow repeat entry.

Attic or Upper-Wall Noise

Scratching, squeaking, fluttering, or repeated evening activity near upper rooms or attic areas.

Roofline and Soffit Gaps

Small openings near fascia, trim, siding, roof edges, cornices, soffits, or tower details.

Vents, Louvers, and Chimneys

Activity around attic vents, gable louvers, chimney gaps, exhaust openings, or exterior covers.

Droppings, Staining, or Odor

Guano, dark staining, odor, or repeated activity near one exterior opening can indicate a roost or access point.

Process

Inspection, Removal Planning, and Exclusion

The right bat-control approach depends on the building, the animal activity, the season, and whether bats may still be inside. The goal is to resolve the active issue and reduce repeat entry without trapping bats in the structure.

1. Inspect

Check activity areas, staining, droppings, vents, roofline gaps, louvers, soffits, and exterior openings.

2. Plan

Determine whether the situation is a living-space concern, a structural entry issue, or a timing-sensitive exclusion.

3. Exclude

When appropriate, recommend humane exclusion, screening, sealing, or repair work for the confirmed entry points.

4. Prevent

Explain cleanup concerns, guano or odor issues, and prevention steps to help protect the building after the active issue is resolved.

Seasonal Guidance

Bat Exclusion Timing in New York and New Jersey

New Jersey

For New Jersey structural bat exclusions, Animal Control NY/NJ follows NJDEP seasonal guidance. NJDEP lists exclusion safe dates as April 1-May 14 and August 1-October 15.

Outside those windows, inspection and planning may still be useful, but full structural exclusion should be scheduled around legal and humane timing requirements.

Read NJDEP bat guidance

New York

New York timing should not simply copy New Jersey dates. Timing can depend on the species, roost, season, building conditions, and current NYSDEC guidance.

A bat-certified NWCO can inspect the structure, document likely entry points, explain immediate safety concerns, and help schedule appropriate exclusion work.

Read NYSDEC nuisance-wildlife guidance

When Exclusion Must Wait

What We Can Do Before Full Exclusion Is Scheduled

Even when full structural exclusion is not appropriate yet, an inspection can still move the job forward. We can look for likely entry points, document roofline or vent activity, check for droppings or staining, explain safety concerns, and plan the earliest appropriate exclusion or repair window.

Service Coverage

NYC and New Jersey Bat Help

Call 646-741-4333 for bat-control help in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and nearby NYC areas.

Call 732-387-4135 for New Jersey bat inspection, removal planning, exclusion timing, and prevention recommendations.

Bat Removal FAQ

Common Questions From Property Owners

Should I seal a bat opening right away?

No. Sealing an opening before inspection can trap bats inside or push them into living areas. The opening should be evaluated first.

Can you help if a bat is inside my house or apartment?

Yes. If possible contact with a person or pet occurred, avoid handling or releasing the bat and contact the local health department first; in New York City, call 311. We can then help with removal and inspect for possible structural entry points.

Do you handle exclusion and prevention?

Yes. After inspection and appropriate timing, exclusion recommendations may include screening, sealing, repair work, or cleanup guidance for affected areas.

Need Bat Removal or Bat Inspection Help?

Call Animal Control NY/NJ for bat inspection, removal planning, exclusion timing, and prevention recommendations in NYC and New Jersey.