Wildlife Service
Bat Removal
Bats are protected, and the work is regulated. Our exclusions follow Tennessee and TWRA rules and protect the colony while getting it out of your structure.
Bat work is the most specialized service we offer, because it is the one with legal requirements attached. Bats are a protected, beneficial species, and exclusions have to be carried out humanely and in line with Tennessee law and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) guidance. That rules out trapping and rules out sealing a roost while the colony is inside.
Bat roosts turn up all over this area, and the structure usually explains why. The 1950s-70s homes common through Goodlettsville, Madison and the northern Davidson County corridor were built with vented soffits and ridge gaps that give a colony a quarter-inch entry along an entire roofline, and the mature hardwoods and creek corridors across Sumner County keep insects — and therefore bats — close to the house. Older barns and outbuildings toward Greenbrier and Springfield account for many of the larger roosts we are called to.
Instead, the process is built around one-way exclusion. After a detailed inspection of the roost and every gap along the roofline, ridge, gable, and fascia, one-way devices are installed at the active openings. Bats leave to feed and cannot get back in. Everything else is sealed first, so the colony has exactly one path out.
Timing is part of the method. There are periods when flightless young are in the roost, and an exclusion run at the wrong time would seal them inside — inhumane, and it leaves you with a far worse problem in the wall. Our inspection confirms the roost status before we set a schedule. Once the structure is confirmed clear, the last openings are closed permanently and accumulated guano is cleaned and sanitized.
Signs of a Bat Roost
- Bats seen exiting the same spot around dusk
- Dark staining around a gap in the fascia or ridge
- Guano accumulating below an entry point or in the attic
- A persistent ammonia-like odor in upper rooms
- Faint scratching or squeaking inside walls at night
- A bat found inside living space
How Bat Exclusion Works
- 1
Roost inspection
We confirm the roost, locate every opening, and establish the right timing for exclusion.
- 2
Seal the structure
All non-active gaps are closed first so the colony has a single controlled exit.
- 3
One-way exclusion
Devices at the active openings let bats leave and prevent re-entry, without handling the animals.
- 4
Final seal & cleanup
Once clear, openings are permanently repaired and guano-contaminated areas are sanitized.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can bats simply be trapped and removed?
- No. Bats are handled by exclusion, not trapping, and the work must follow Tennessee regulations administered by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). One-way devices let the colony leave on its own before the structure is sealed.
- Why does timing matter with bats?
- There are periods when flightless young are present in a roost. Sealing then would trap them inside, so our inspection establishes the right timing before exclusion begins.
- Is bat guano dangerous?
- Accumulated guano is a contamination and odor problem and should not be disturbed casually. We clean and sanitize affected areas as part of the job.
- How small an opening can a bat use?
- Very small — which is why bat work depends on a thorough exterior inspection rather than closing the one obvious gap.
Think You Have Bats?
Do not seal anything yourself. Book a free inspection and we will confirm the roost and the correct timing.