Bats are a frequent household nuisance in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area, where they often roost in attics and cause a large amount of damage with their droppings. However, because bats are beneficial to the ecosystem, they are protected by law, which can make their removal tricky. Between May 1 and July 31, it is illegal to remove bats from your home in North Carolina. The better solution is to schedule bat exclusion services with a professional wildlife removal company to keep bats from ever getting in to begin with.
Between November and March, bats enter a state of pseudo-hibernation known as “torpor.” In April, bats begin waking up, feasting on insects, and mating with one another. In May, female bats start seeking out good spots to raise their pups. May is when bats most often invade our homes, since attics and similar dark isolated spaces in our houses provide the same level of shelter as the caves and tree hollows bats are used to. Baby bats are unable to fly for a few weeks after being born, which is why bat removal is illegal in North Carolina during May, June and July. By August, young bats will be leaving the nest and flying. In September and October, bats will gorge on mosquitoes in preparation for torpor.
The best time to schedule bat exclusion services in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area is in March and April. This allows you to bat-proof your home before bats have had a chance to become established inside. Also, if you discover bats have already begun roosting in your attic, you can legally have them removed before the ban on bat removal begins. If you missed this deadline, schedule bat exclusion services in August, September or October to prevent bats from overwintering under your roof.
Connect with Southern Wildlife Management today if you’re looking for professional bat exclusion services in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area!
NCSU Alumni