All Ohio bat species are protected and/or endangered.
From May 16th - July 31st, bats are legally protected during their maternity period. The nursing female bats leave pups inside the structure to leave at night and forage for food; evicting these bats during this time would leave the immobile pups dying of starvation. Although it is best to refrain from removing any bats during this time and wait until July 31st, the state of Ohio does provide an authorization request process for an exclusion to be conducted during that window. Our staff would be happy to explain this process further!
We must also consider bat populations during their natural winter hibernation. From October 1st - March 31st, Ohio permits only partial bat exclusions. In a partial exclusion, all secondary entry points may be secured, but the 1-way eviction door may not be placed until after April 1st.
What to do if you suspect bats in your building?
What to do if you suspect bats in your building?
What to do if you suspect bats in your building?
If you find or suspect a colony of bats living in your attic or walls, you should give Celtic Wildlife Control a call right away at (513) 905-5092! We’ll get you scheduled for a full property inspection!
- We provide structural-wide bat exclusions to identify and seal all potential bat entry points
- Bats can fit through a dime-sized hole, making sealing of gaps VERY inclusive
- The bat eviction process includes installing one or more 1-way door mechanisms for the bats to exit the structure but not reenter
- Depending on the time of year, the 1-way door will be left in place 1 to 2 weeks and then removed and final repairs installed
What to do if you find a bat in a living space?
What to do if you suspect bats in your building?
What to do if you suspect bats in your building?
If a bat is found in or around a structure, there is a high likelihood it is lost, ill, or injured.
- Close all interior doors and place towels blocking the door bases to help isolate the bat, and call Celtic Wildlife Control to search the premises and remove the bat if located.
- Because most bats will try to bite when handled, they should NOT be picked up without tongs, a shovel, or bite gloves.
- If a bat found in your home has bitten or scratched a person or pet, we will attempt to capture the bat without crushing its head.
- Once the bat is dead, refrigerate it (DO NOT freeze) and then contact your local health department immediately for instructions. We also recommend contacting your primary care physician.
Health & Safety Risks
What to do if you suspect bats in your building?
Health & Safety Risks
Large bat colonies left unchecked can present several potential health risks to humans:
- Feces: Bat droppings, often referred to as guano, can contain numerous disease-causing organisms, significantly Histoplasmosis and Cryptococcosis
- Bat Bugs: Related to bedbugs, bat bugs (Cimex adjunctus) are parasitic blood-sucking insects that feed primarily on the blood of bats. Although infestations generally dissipate upon removal of the host bat colony, some individuals may survive more than one year without feeding
- Rabies: <4% of bats test positive for this disease in Ohio, close contact with bats can increase the chance of transmission; NEVER handle a bat directly