Bats

Diana · 07-09-2025, 08:10 AM

Have an indoor bat situation on an island. Mitigation advice needed. Thanks!

Charlie T · 07-09-2025, 08:38 AM

I've had bats at my home in the past. I use JP Pest to keep bugs and small animals out of the house so I called them about the bat issues. They have very good people to work with bats. It's not legal to kill bats as they are protected, but you can seal up the entry points and install 1 way doors so any bats nested in the house can get out but not back in. If I recall it was about a $1500 service for my house a few years ago, well worth it as it solved an ongoing problem. Give them a call.

thinkxingu · 07-09-2025, 09:09 AM

We also had JP Pest address our bat problem...18 years ago...and haven't had issues since.

They'd be my first call.

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DRH · 07-09-2025, 12:52 PM

They may have relocated somewhere else in the area, but JP Pest on Rt. 104 in Meredith closed several months ago. The sign is down and there is no activity there.

Biggd · 07-09-2025, 12:52 PM

We used JP also for a bat problem.

Charlie T · 07-09-2025, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRH

They may have relocated somewhere else in the area, but JP Pest on Rt. 104 in Meredith closed several months ago. The sign is down and there is no activity there.

JP Pest is still around, they have many offices and a large staff. I had them at my home about a month ago for a quarterly maint treatment.

FlyingScot · 07-09-2025, 08:26 PM

Indoor bats are a rabies risk (at least in Mass). Whatever you decide, do not get close yourself. If you have already been close, speak with your doctor

icg56 · 07-10-2025, 07:46 PM

There are ultrasonic devices that will repel bats from attics, etc. We used them in PA when our attic became a bat cave. To remove individual bats, use a fishing net or a towel. If you knock it to the floor, it can't fly (it needs height to fly). Pick it up with gloves and release it in a bush or somewhere off the ground so it can fly.
Rabies is rare. Can only get it if you are bitten. It may be a problem if you awake at night with bats in the bedroom, as they can bite with little sensation (personal experience), but modern rabies shots are fairly straightforward.
Bottom line, don't kill the bat, remove it or encourage them to relocate. They eat all those mosquitoes
Good luck.

FlyingScot · 07-11-2025, 08:37 AM

Not interested in a debate here, but it is a really bad idea for an amateur to go after a bat yourself with a net/towel. If you do come into contact with a bat, or even think you might have while sleeping, go to hospital. Rabies is rare, but you will be dying before showing symptoms. If you are even thinking about any of this, Google now

Biggd · 07-11-2025, 08:50 AM

As far as I'm concerned, they are rats with wings. I would have no problem exterminating them!

thinkxingu · 07-11-2025, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Not interested in a debate here, but it is a really bad idea for an amateur to go after a bat yourself with a net/towel. If you do come into contact with a bat, or even think you might have while sleeping, go to hospital. Rabies is rare, but you will be dying before showing symptoms. If you are even thinking about any of this, Google now

Not only that, but, as the post following yours mentions, bats are essentially rodents. As a result, just getting them out isn't enough as they'll continue coming back. Pest experts have exclusion methods that are essential for success.

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07-09-2025, 08:10 AM	#1
Diana Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 67 Thanks: 349 Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts	Bats Have an indoor bat situation on an island. Mitigation advice needed. Thanks!

07-09-2025, 08:38 AM	#2
Charlie T Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 320 Thanks: 260 Thanked 185 Times in 89 Posts	Bats I've had bats at my home in the past. I use JP Pest to keep bugs and small animals out of the house so I called them about the bat issues. They have very good people to work with bats. It's not legal to kill bats as they are protected, but you can seal up the entry points and install 1 way doors so any bats nested in the house can get out but not back in. If I recall it was about a $1500 service for my house a few years ago, well worth it as it solved an ongoing problem. Give them a call.

07-09-2025, 12:52 PM	#4
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,689 Thanks: 1,205 Thanked 677 Times in 179 Posts	JP Pest They may have relocated somewhere else in the area, but JP Pest on Rt. 104 in Meredith closed several months ago. The sign is down and there is no activity there. __________________ DRH

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Charlie T For This Useful Post:
Biggd (07-09-2025), Diana (07-09-2025)

07-09-2025, 09:09 AM	#3
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,330 Thanks: 1,174 Thanked 2,098 Times in 1,299 Posts	We also had JP Pest address our bat problem...18 years ago...and haven't had issues since. They'd be my first call. Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

The Following User Says Thank You to thinkxingu For This Useful Post:
Diana (07-09-2025)

07-09-2025, 12:52 PM	#5
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,186 Thanks: 2,259 Thanked 1,213 Times in 774 Posts	We used JP also for a bat problem.

07-09-2025, 08:26 PM	#7
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,419 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 1,030 Times in 638 Posts	Indoor bats are a rabies risk (at least in Mass). Whatever you decide, do not get close yourself. If you have already been close, speak with your doctor

07-10-2025, 07:46 PM	#8
icg56 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 86 Thanks: 3 Thanked 34 Times in 20 Posts	There are ultrasonic devices that will repel bats from attics, etc. We used them in PA when our attic became a bat cave. To remove individual bats, use a fishing net or a towel. If you knock it to the floor, it can't fly (it needs height to fly). Pick it up with gloves and release it in a bush or somewhere off the ground so it can fly. Rabies is rare. Can only get it if you are bitten. It may be a problem if you awake at night with bats in the bedroom, as they can bite with little sensation (personal experience), but modern rabies shots are fairly straightforward. Bottom line, don't kill the bat, remove it or encourage them to relocate. They eat all those mosquitoes Good luck.

The Following User Says Thank You to icg56 For This Useful Post:
Diana (07-10-2025)

07-11-2025, 08:37 AM	#9
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,419 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 1,030 Times in 638 Posts	Not interested in a debate here, but it is a really bad idea for an amateur to go after a bat yourself with a net/towel. If you do come into contact with a bat, or even think you might have while sleeping, go to hospital. Rabies is rare, but you will be dying before showing symptoms. If you are even thinking about any of this, Google now

The Following User Says Thank You to FlyingScot For This Useful Post:
KennyFromBoston (07-11-2025)

07-11-2025, 08:50 AM	#10
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,186 Thanks: 2,259 Thanked 1,213 Times in 774 Posts	As far as I'm concerned, they are rats with wings. I would have no problem exterminating them!

The Following User Says Thank You to Biggd For This Useful Post:
KennyFromBoston (07-11-2025)