Bats Are More Common in NWI Homes Than You Think
Most homeowners in Crown Point and Northwest Indiana never think about bats until they hear scratching in the attic or find one flying through the house at 2 AM. But bats are one of the most common wildlife issues we deal with in this area. Indiana is home to over a dozen bat species, and several of them love attics, soffits, and wall voids in residential homes.
If you suspect you have bats, here is what you need to know.
How Bats Get In
Bats can squeeze through a gap as small as three eighths of an inch. That is about the width of a dime. Common entry points include ridge vents, soffit gaps, gable vents, chimney flashing, and where the roofline meets the siding. Older homes in Crown Point and Merrillville are especially vulnerable because settling creates gaps that were not there when the house was built.
Signs You Have Bats
Scratching or squeaking sounds in the attic or walls, especially at dusk and dawn. Dark staining around entry points on the exterior of your home. Small dark droppings that look like grains of rice in your attic or on the ground below entry points. A strong ammonia like odor in the attic. And of course, finding a bat inside your living space is a clear sign there are more in the structure.
Why You Should Not Ignore It
Bat guano accumulates fast and carries health risks. Histoplasmosis is a respiratory illness caused by a fungus that grows in bat droppings. Beyond health concerns, guano damages insulation, stains ceilings, and creates odor problems that get worse in summer heat. The longer bats are in your home, the more expensive the cleanup becomes.
How Professional Removal Works
Indiana law protects certain bat species, so removal has to be done correctly. We start with a thorough inspection to identify all entry points and the size of the colony. We install one way exclusion devices that let bats leave but prevent them from returning. Once the bats are out, we seal every gap and crack to prevent future entry. Then we clean and sanitize the affected areas and replace damaged insulation.
Timing Matters
In Indiana, bat exclusion cannot be done during maternity season, typically June through mid August, when flightless pups are present. The best time to address a bat issue is in the spring before pups are born or in the fall after they can fly. Do not wait until next year. A small colony this year becomes a bigger problem next season.
Get a Free Inspection
If you think you might have bats, call The Bug Guys at (219) 810-7481 for a free inspection. We serve Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Lowell, St. John, Dyer, and all of Northwest Indiana. We will tell you exactly what we find and give you a clear plan. No pressure and no contracts.