Bats are important for the ecosystem. But they can become the reason for many problems. Bats can be very dangerous once they start to live in your property. They can cause deadly diseases such as histoplasmosis. How is this disease deadly? This disease attacks your lungs. The condition of a patient can become fatal when not treated as soon as possible. Another disease bats can also transmit is rabies. Also, bats can encourage bacterial growth in your property. With time, the presence of bats in your home can adversely affect the structure of your property, as well as the health of all the people living in it. Due to the danger possessed by bats, bat removal is a must, but at the cost you can afford.
The good point is you won’t have to experience the hassle of getting rid of bats in these times. There are so many companies that offer professional bat removal services. Also there are many methods available which help in bat exclusion. Different methods have different costs for bat removal. We will be discussing the different methods and their cost for bat removal in this article. Also we are going to mention which method is preferred in terms of cost and reliability.
How many ways are available in the market to remove bats and how are they done? How much each one of bat removal methods cost and which one is better? Continue reading to know the answers of these questions.
Bat removal methods and cost
There are many kinds of bat removal methods available all over the world. Bat removal cost varies from method to method. The important point is to never ever use poison. We don’t want to kill them, we just want to repel them away. Trapping is not effective as well. This is because bats have a home range of about 150 miles. They will typically just keep coming back unless you take them on a three-hour drive.
Below are some methods to get rid of bats. We have discussed each Bat Removal method in detail as well as their cost.
Bat removal can be done by a method named exclusion. Exclusion means creating a path that allows bats to leave a home but not to re-enter the property.
This is done through specially designed equipment for this purpose. The entry points are closed in such a way which allows a bat to exit only. By this process, in some time all of the bats will be gone as they cannot stay inside for a longer time. After this, the entry and exit points are closed permanently. This process is mostly done by professionals. Many companies provide this service. The exterminator which conducts the process of exclusion, will also seal other holes and potential entrances to the home.
This process can only be done by professionals. As they are experienced and are fully aware of the nitty gritty of the process. They won’t leave a single hole in your home for bats to come back. As it seems a hectic work, it also costs much. Let’s read further to know how much exclusion cost?
Cost
The cost of exclusion also depends on the size of the infestation and various aspects of the property. This also includes its condition and how many potential entry points are found. Also the cost depends on the company which is providing the service. Mostly well known and renowned companies charge higher than others.
The cost for exclusion is no less than $300. The average cost of exclusion is $400-$700. This cost can go up to $1000 or more. The cost greatly depends on the area. It varies by the complexity of the job. If the bat infestation is at a large area, it will require several service visits, which will increase the cost.
According to bats’ nature, they love dark places. Placing bright lights near the bats infested area will help in repelling them away from your home. They are most active during the night. They relax and look for their prey during this time. If we don’t let them relax, they will look for another place they can call home. You can use any light source or lights specially designed for this purpose.
Usage of lights will not only cost you their price but will also cost you electricity bills. How much do these bright lights cost? Are they expensive or not? Read more to know.
Cost
You can use any bulb available at your home. You can easily buy it from any nearby store. The cost of one bulb is around $5. Just be careful while placing it. It is better to get it done through a specialist. If you are doing it yourself, make sure to stay safe and take precautions while going near bats. Bats can get furious and may bite you. It’s bite is fatal and can cause deadly diseases. Also, if it is turned on continuously you may receive an electricity bill higher than the bills you received previously.
Bats have a good sense of hearing. They rely on their ears. Bats send sound frequencies which reflect back when they strike with an object. They survive on it. A blind bat may spend his life easily but a deaf bat cannot. If we place speakers and play loud sounds on the speaker, this will not let them communicate. Also, they will feel uncomfortable as the frequencies produced by loud sounds is not bearable for them. They will leave the area and start searching for another home. The drawback is that these sounds are audible by humans and pets as well. This will create problems for them. They will not feel comfortable in their own home. Though it is effective, there are some disadvantages. How much does speakers cost?
Cost
Speakers can cost you around $30. It is not much as compared to other methods. If we add the price of electricity it will use, the overall cost can be higher. This is because speakers are usually around 200 watts. If you go for this method, consider all the pros and cons.
Mothballs are widely used to repel pests from a specific area. There is an active ingredient used in mothballs known as “naphthalene”. This is the only chemical which is allowed for indoor use. It can be fatal if used in a large quantity. The mothballs kill other insects, but in the case of a bat the result is different. They do not kill bats. They just disturbs their internal system and causes vomiting, dizziness, and nausea in bats. This makes them feel uncomfortable in that area. So, they leave to find a new place. How much do these mothballs cost?
Cost
These effective mothballs don’t cost much. You can find them at a minimum cost of $3. This price can go up to $18. This depends on the size of the balls. But there is a risk if you try to place them yourself. These balls should be placed inside the bat house. If there is any bat present inside the house while you are placing them, it may harm you. It is better to take help from someone who is experienced.
There are many companies in the market which provide the service of bat extermination. They have experienced and professional people who are specially trained for this purpose. You have to book an appointment with them. They will come to your home and investigate properly. This is the most important step. Bats population identifies which method they should use for bat extermination. If the population of bats is large, they may need to apply 2-3 bat extermination methods. Due to a team involved and being an extensive process, the cost can go higher. How much does bat extermination cost?
Cost
The cost of bat extermination depends on the area and bat population. If the bat population is at a small area, it will still cost you at least a few hundred dollars. There is a separate cost for just inspection. The cost of inspection is around $75-$100. For a small colony of bats, the cost is around $150. Population of bats is directly proportional to the cost. Removing a large population of bats will cost you more. Large colony removal can cost between $300-$2000.
This cost consists of a number of steps. The first step is gable vent sealing. This will cost you around $100 per vent. After this, the holes are sealed. The cost for sealing holes is $30-$50 per hole depending on the size of hole. The last step is cleanup. The bat exterminators will clean the area as well. Clean up includes removal of guano, sanitization, and replacement of insulation.
Cleanup will cost around $500. This is a safe and effective way to get rid of bats. The drawback is that it is expensive and some people may not be able to afford it.
Just as bats don’t like bright places and bats don’t live in lighted places, this method uses the same technique. Placing aluminum foil at such an angle that it reflects the light to the dark small area. This will help to light up the place in a small budget. You have to be very careful about angles when you are placing it. How much does aluminum foil cost?
Cost
This is the cheapest method you can find in the market. It costs only $1 per roll. The disadvantage is placing it at the right angle is hard. Also if there are any bats inside their house, they can bite you.
Ultrasonic bat repellents use frequencies to repel the bats away. As bats have a good sense of hearing, this repellent uses their hearing sense to make them feel uncomfortable. Electronic or ultrasonic bat repellents emit ultrasonic sound variable frequencies. The emitted frequencies are not bearable by bats and they are forced to leave the area. It works like loud sounds but the difference is these frequencies are not audible by humans and pets. They won’t even hear anything. These repellers are a great innovation in the field of bat removal. This is an effective mechanism to remove bats. Let’s see how much do these bat repellents cost?
Cost
Different companies have ultrasonic bat repellents available at different costs. The cost depends on the range of repellent, whether they can penetrate through the walls or not and if they are water resistant or not. An ultrasonic bat repellent can cost you between $30-$80.
Before buying any Ultrasonic Bat repellent, do proper research. Every Repellent device is not the same. Some works just fine. While others may not work exactly as you want. Some may have higher range for sound frequencies while others may have not. For further details, read our article “Ultrasonic Bat Repellent“.
There are many DIY methods which are used for bat removal. Are they recommended and what they are?
DIY bat removal is not recommended by most of the experts. Experts are trained and they have the appropriate tools and training for the job. Also cleaning up droppings requires special cleaning products and methods to ensure proper sanitation and decontamination. The insulation should also be changed. If you still want to go for a DIY bat removal method, below are some listed for your help.
Step1
The first step is to find out the areas having bat infestation. Once you have found out the areas, you have to estimate their population. This is not possible without any equipment. But by keeping an eye at their house, you may have an idea about the population of bats present in that area.
Step2
The second step is to remove the bats. You have to choose the suitable method by looking at the population. Mothballs, phenyl, garlic water or any other DIY method can be used but for a smaller bat population and the drawback is that placing any home remedy near bats or in the bat house can be very dangerous. Bats are not aggressive but they can attack back when they feel insecure. Their bite can be a reason for deadly diseases. Be very careful and take proper precaution while doing it.
Step3
The third step is cleaning which is the most important. If you skip this one the bats will come again. Bats are attracted to their own smell. If you don’t clean the place properly and change the insulation, there is a high chance that you will get bat infestation again. Along with changing the insulation, clean all the guano present in your home. Otherwise, all your efforts will be wasted.
We have discussed in detail all the possible Bat removal methods and their cost. Out of all of these bat removal methods, which one is the best in terms of reliability, security, safety and affordability?
Preferred bat removal method
Among all the options, ultrasonic bat repellent seems to be the best option. Why is it the preferred method? Because you don’t need any professional help to use it nor you have to go near the bats. It is completely safe to use around humans and pets. These repellents are easy to use. You just have to plug them in and watch the bats running out of your home.
ET Bat Repellent
Et Bat Repellent is a best choice if you are looking for an electronic or ultrasonic bat repellent. The range of this bat repellent is 500sq.ft. It uses only 5 watts so you don’t have to worry about your electricity bill. You don’t have to go near bats to use it. Just plug it in near the area where bats are present and they will go away in some time. The advantage of this ultrasonic bat repellent over other bat repellents is that the frequencies sent by Et Bat Repellent can penetrate through bats.
If we talk about affordability, this bat repellent is more affordable than others . It costs only around $50.00. By looking at the features, the cost is very reasonable and it’s only one time cost. You don’t need to pay again and again. This is the best choice for you if you want to go for an ultrasonic bat repellent at your home and also it can be used commercially. This device will prove itself and you won’t have to think about bats again.
There are some things you should take care of after a bat removal. This will help you to stop their re-infestation. What are they? We have listed a few of them below for your help.
How to stop re-infestation of bats?
Bat re-infestation is a huge problem. You have to go through all of the process again which is not easy. You actually have to work against their nature. Create every situation they don’t like to live in. There are many tips available which work well to stop attracting bats. Some of these tips are mentioned below. Acting upon them can reduce the risk of bat re-infestation.
Cleaning:
Cleaning the house regularly can greatly help in reducing the risk. Bats don’t like clean places. They love to live in small dark and dirty areas.
Less insects:
If you have a garden nearby, there is a high chance that the bats may like to live in your home. Bats feed themselves on insects. More flowers mean more insects. Remove the flowers and kill the insects nearby. Kill the insects inside and outside your home. By this, they won’t find a reason to start living in your home and it will be safe from re-infestation.
Remove water sources:
Bats find an area having a water source nearby so that they won’t have to travel longer. If there is any water source, remove it. Bats will no longer find the place much attractive.
Phenol:
Use phenol in your home once or twice a month. Humans enjoy the smell of phenol but bats don’t. This is because bats have a strong sense of smell as compared to humans. Using phenol will make your home unpleasant for them to live in.
Conclusion
Bat removal is important but people usually get confused when choosing a bat removal method. They compare the bat removal cost and forget about reliability. Hiring a bat exterminator is a good choice but not everyone can afford it. If you don’t hire one then there is a high chance that the bats residing in your house may extend their colonies and may harm you. Doing bat removal yourself is not recommended.
So, what to do in such a situation? Go for an electronic bat repellent. Bat removal cost is affordable also this is a reliable method. There are many advantages because of which it is preferred over other bat removal methods.