If you’re a homeowner wondering how to keep bats out of your Michigan home, the answer starts with prevention and ends with professional exclusion. Bats are protected in Michigan and play a vital ecological role, but when they make their way into your attic or walls, they become a serious nuisance—and potential health hazard.
Why Are Bats Entering My House?
There are common bat species in Michigan, including the big brown bat and little brown bat, both known for roosting in residential structures. These bats don’t chew or claw their way into homes—they enter through existing openings, often as small as ½ inch wide.
Common reasons why bats enter your attics in Michigan include:
- Seeking warmth and shelter (especially in attics)
- Maternity roosting during summer months
- Returning to previous roosting sites (bats have strong homing instincts)
- Easy access points like vents, chimney gaps, rooflines, and soffits
Once inside, they can stay hidden for weeks or months, contaminating insulation with droppings (guano) and urine.
Signs You Have Bats in Your Michigan Home
Bats roosting and guano droppings in one of our customers’ attics
Before you keep bats out, it’s important to know if they’re already inside.
Look for these signs:
- Chirping or squeaking sounds in the attic or walls (especially at dusk and dawn)
- Guano piles near entry points or in the attic
- Grease marks around small holes or vents
- Bats flying out at dusk from your home’s roofline or chimney
- Strong ammonia odor from accumulated droppings
If any of these signs of a bat infestation are present, it’s time to consider an inspection and possible bat removal.
When Are Bats Most Active in Michigan?
Understanding bat behavior helps in knowing the best time to safely remove bats.
- Spring (April–May): Bats return from hibernation and begin roosting
- Summer (June–August): Maternity season – young bats are born and begin flying mid-summer
- Fall (September–October): Bats start leaving roosts to find hibernation sites
- Winter (November–March): Bats hibernate, often in walls or unused parts of homes
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to exclude bats during maternity season (typically May 15 to August 15) in Michigan, as flightless pups may be trapped and die inside—this is both inhumane and illegal under Michigan DNR guidelines.
Step-by-Step: How to Keep Bats Out of Your Michigan Home
1. Inspect Your Home Thoroughly
Start with a full visual inspection of the roof, attic, soffits, vents, chimney, and any exterior walls. You’re looking for:
- Holes or gaps larger than ½ inch
- Warped flashing or siding
- Loose screens or vents
Pro tip: Perform your inspection right before sunset, when bats are most likely to emerge.
2. Seal Entry Points (After Exclusion)
Our bat specialists are sealing entry points
Never seal holes while bats are inside—this can trap them and lead to worse problems. After confirming all bats have exited:
- Use caulk, foam, or steel mesh for small gaps
- Install chimney caps and vent screens
- Replace damaged soffits or fascia boards
3. Install Bat Exclusion Devices
These are one-way valves or tubes that keep bats out of your Michigan home and allow them to exit but not re-enter. Popular options include:
- Bat cones
- Netting
- Flexible exclusion tubes
Devices should stay in place for at least 7–10 nights of warm, dry weather before sealing the hole.
One-way tubes installed in our customers’ attics during live bat exclusion services in Michigan
Consider hiring a professional bat exclusion company, who use humane and state-compliant methods.
4. Clean and Sanitize the Area
After the bats are gone:
- Remove all guano
- Replace contaminated insulation
- Use enzymatic cleaners or fogging disinfectants to eliminate odors and pathogens
Bat guano can carry dangerous diseases like Histoplasma capsulatum—always wear PPE if cleaning.
5. Make Your Home Less Attractive to Bats
You can further reduce the risk of future bat invasions by:
- Installing bat houses on your property (draws them away from the house)
- Keeping outdoor lighting minimal
- Trimming tree branches away from the roofline
- Regularly inspecting your home’s exterior for damage
Is Bat Removal Legal in Michigan?
Yes, bat removal is legal in Michigan—but it must be done humanely and within legal timeframes. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
- It is illegal to kill bats in Michigan
- Exclusion is not allowed during the maternity season
- Homeowners can perform exclusion outside of that window (or hire a licensed professional)
Can I Use Mothballs, Lights, or Ultrasonic Devices?
Many DIY deterrents like mothballs, ultrasonic sound machines, or bright attic lights are commonly suggested online, but they don’t work.
Bats quickly adapt to light and noise. Mothballs contain naphthalene, which can be harmful to humans and pets if inhaled in closed spaces, and it’s not an effective repellent either.
The most reliable method is physical exclusion, done professionally.
When to Call a Bat Removal Professional in Michigan
Michigan’s Bat Expert
Bat infestations are not like dealing with mice or raccoons.
Because bats are protected, intelligent, and capable of hiding in complex spaces, removal can be tricky.
Call Michigan’s Bat Expert if:
- You suspect bats in your attic, walls, or chimney
- You’ve seen bats re-enter your home after dusk
- You’re unsure of where the bats are getting in
- You need post-exclusion cleanup and sealing
- You want long-term bat-proofing and peace of mind
Professional live bat exclusion ensures:
- Full inspection and detection of all access points
- Humane, legal bat removal
- Proper sealing and repairs
- Guano cleanup and sanitization
- Warranty-backed bat removal services
Common Questions on Bat Exclusion
- What scent will keep bats away?
- Bats dislike strong, pungent smells like peppermint oil, cinnamon, or eucalyptus, but these do not provide long-term protection. Sealing entry points remains the only reliable method.
- Where do bats usually enter houses in Michigan?
- Typical bat entry points include roof edges, attic vents, chimneys, eaves, and gaps around utility lines. These openings can be as small as ⅜ to ½ inch wide.
- Are bats dangerous in the house?
- Yes. Bats can carry rabies, and their droppings harbor fungal spores that cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory illness. They can also damage insulation and create unpleasant odors.
- Will bats leave on their own?
- They are habitual creatures, and bats will return after exclusion if not properly excluded. They will not leave voluntarily if your home offers ideal shelter.
- Can I remove bats myself in Michigan?
- You may perform exclusion yourself outside of maternity season, but it’s complex and risky without experience. For best results, work with bat specialists in Michigan.
Keep Bats Out of Your Michigan Home for Good
Michigan’s beautiful natural environment is home to many bats—and that’s a good thing. But when they start roosting in your attic, it’s time to act. The key to keeping bats out of your house is:
- Vigilant inspection
- Legal, humane exclusion
- Long-term sealing and prevention
If you’re hearing noises in your attic, finding bat droppings, or seeing bats fly out at dusk, don’t wait. Call our team for a full home inspection and professional bat removal in Oakland County and all 17 Michigan Counties.
One of our satisfied customers’ feedback from our recent successful live bat exclusion service:
Lane came out and was very professional. Did a thorough inspection of the house and gave a comprehensive explanation of everything they’d do to take care of my bat issue. Scheduling was quick/easy and the price was very fair for the work they are doing. — Joseph Cutright
Serving homeowners across Michigan with humane, legal, and effective bat removal solutions.
 Call Michigan’s Bat Expert (248) 923-4762 or request a quote
 Ask about our guaranteed exclusion services
 We also offer dead animal removal, attic restoration, and wildlife prevention
Sam Sullivan is the owner and lead expert at Michigan’s Bat Expert, specializing in humane bat removal and exclusion services based in Oakland County, Michigan. With years of hands-on experience in wildlife control, Sam has helped countless homeowners and businesses protect their properties from bat and wildlife infestations while adhering to Michigan’s strict wildlife laws.
His expertise lies in exclusion and prevention, ensuring that bats and wildlife are removed safely and never return. Sam is dedicated to ethical and effective solutions, using proven methods that prioritize both property protection and wildlife conservation. His commitment to excellence has made Michigan’s Bat Expert a trusted name in the industry.