It's Bat season!!!

Bat removal is regulated by the respective Department of Natural Resources in both Ohio and West Virginia. Laws enacted by the States are intended to protect these mammals to ensure that their populations remain steady

Licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Agents are regulated as to when they can legally evict colonies from human dwellings. These regulations center around protecting adults- bats from exposure to cold weather in the winter and early spring months. It also prohibits the eviction of females and their pups before the young have the ability to fly.

August 15th is the date that evictions can begin in West Virginia. Maternal colonies cannot be evicted from structures until September 1 in Ohio.

How does the eviction take place? Typically a Licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Agent will do a bat watch at first or last light of the day to determine structure entry points.

The Agent will then seal all entry points except one. A one way cone is then installed over the one entry hole. This cone will allow bats to exit the structure only.

Once the bats are all gone, the final hole will be sealed.

It is important to note that anyone who provides bat removal services for hire must be licensed as a nuisance wildlife control agent. A licensed chemical applicator/exterminator cannot legally remove bats.