How To Kill Bats in Your Attic with Poison or Fumigants

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It is very important to know that you are not allowed to kill bat colonies. Bats are protected by special environmental laws and regulations. The only way to remove them is to have them excluded with a special system that allows the bats to exit the home but not return. A professional will have access to the equipment needed to accomplish this task. Scent deterrents and frequency emitters have been proven ineffectual for bat removal or prevention.

Bats have gotten a bad reputation for some people, one that stems from horror novels and scary movies, but also has real basis in the modern world the more bats decide to take up residence in human homes. There is something disconcerting about a furry creature flying erratically around our heads in the dim light of dusk. Bats are comfortable in the dark of night, where many people are not, and that makes us a little mystified and scared of them. But really, most people just don't want them living in large colonies in the attic, where they cause odor problems and potential health problems with their droppings.



Bat poison or bat fumigant - there are no registered bat poisons for sale. The thing is, if you tried to poison the bats, you will end up with a worse problem on your hand - not all the bats will die, and most will crawl down into the walls to escape, and some will find their way into the house. Others will die and rot and stink. And you won't have solved the bat problem permanently anyway. The survivors and other will be back. You cannot poison bats legally, nor are they easily tempted by bait, and even if you could, would you want twenty or one hundred poisoned bats lodged in your attic, decaying? Probably not. This also applies when it comes to baby bats. Any baby bats unable to fly will be left behind by the parents as they are caught exiting the premises. Starving baby bats will not remain stationary, and will crawl into every nook of you attic and eventually die.

How to Remove Bats from the Attic Properly Without Killing Them - Removing bats from the attic is not an easy task for anyone, professionals included. This task can be so daunting that it is almost never practical for a homeowner to attempt on their own. Homeowners may be able to locate entry and exit holes that allow the bats access to the home, but it requires a unique device to trap the bats. A professional will be able to locate the bats and determine if any babies are present. Once the professional has removed the bats, it is important to completely seal any and all holes in your attic. Bats live in their selected homes year round, and each female generally gives birth to one baby. Even if your bats migrate during certain seasons, they will eventually want to return to your attic. This desire to remain in one location makes it imperative that you eliminate any possible points of entry for a bat. Anything over 3/8 of an inch is large enough for this animal to squeeze through.

Bats are one pest that you want to make sure you handle appropriately and with the consultation of someone who has prior experience in the field.

More in-detail how-to bat removal articles:

Information about bat trapping - analysis and methods for how to trap.
Information about how to keep bats away - prevention techniques.
Information about how to catch a bat - remove one stuck in the house.
Information about bat repellent - analysis of types and effectiveness.

Learn what to do with a bat after you catch it, and the first steps to take if you are ever bitten by a bat. Learn how many bugs bats eat each night and what to do about bats in the chimney.


The majority of bats eat insects. After insects, the most common food is fruit. Only a very small percentage of bats are vampire, and those that are prefer the blood of cows or other larger mammals. If a bat is in your attic, it is generally not there because of a food source inside the home, though if you have a termite infestation, it may add to the appeal of your attic. The smell of bat droppings can be very potent, and the occasional bat winging around your living space is never pleasant. People with pets, especially cats, find the added complication of rabies suddenly brought into the mix. When a cat decides to hunt down the incredibly enticing, engrossing bat that is soaring throughout the home, the feline often succeeds. If your cat is not up to date on a rabies vaccine, you must have the pet inoculated and the bat tested for the virus. Rabies testing can be expensive and is usually mandatory if your state health department becomes involved.

You came here to find out how to kill bats in your attic. This site is intended to provide bat education and information, so that you can make an informed decision if you need to deal with a bat problem in your attic or house. This site provides many bat control articles and strategies, if you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. If you are unable to do so, which is likely with many cases of bat removal, please go to the home page and click the USA map, where I have wildlife removal experts listed in over 500 cites and towns, who can properly help you with your nuisance bat.

For more information, go back to my main how to get rid of bats page.