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The methods used for bat removal have nothing in common with the methods normally used for animals such as raccoons, opossums, squirrels, groundhogs, and others. Instead of using traps, bat control is accomplished using a systematic exclusion program. The only proven way to deal with bat/human conflicts is a systematic repair of all sides of your structure. Suggestions such as extermination (now illegal in PA and many other states), trap and release, chemical repellents, floodlights, and ultrasonic devices are half hearted attempts at best, and at worst some may actually be dangerous to pets and family. These "methods" do not address the problem at the root: bat entry crevices must be repaired. Otherwise bats just simply keep coming back. Bat control is non-lethal and relies upon exclusion. This is a relatively SLOW process...if we are working at a time of year when bats are still expected inside your particular house, we must seal every crevice possible on all sides of the building, but allow for an "escape hatch" over what seemed to be the main bat entrance. This simple flap, attached in a certain way so bats can escape but not re-enter, may be left up for a week or more. If no more bats are seen exiting, the flap is removed and the last hole repaired. It may take several tries to fully bat proof a building, especially if your eves resemble swiss cheese! This is sometimes difficult, hazardous work that requires experience with bat behavior, specialized equipment, certain timing and scheduling, and a degree of safety precautions. Many home owners believe they can take care of their bat problem by trying methods that have never proven effective. In the worst case at the wrong time of year, the bats will find their way into the actual home believing it is an escape route or starve to death. We understand some folks want bats out NOW, but the reality is that sometimes more problems are avoided if the project is conducted at better times of the season when you are less likely to have larger number of bats on site. Sometimes installing bat houses nearby will provide alternative places for bats to live and homeowners still benefit from free, natural insect control. You don't necessarily need to install a bat house on the building you are trying to repair; the long term solution is to give bats their little space away from where kids and pets might run into them. The bad news is if you just install a bunch of bat houses without making any kind of exclusion attempt, most of the bats simply choose your spacious attic over the tiny bat houses. Also, installing a bat house isn't inviting more bats into your or your neighbor's buildings. If the nearby buildings already are bat friendly, they would already have bats. Given all that is outlined above, many people actually have trouble just finding a contractor even willing to take on bat work. Frankly, trapping a skunk is much easier money. The consumer then has to determine if the contractor has any real experience dealing with bat problems, or are they using you as a training experience? Bat Conservation and Management is a wildlife consulting company specializing with bat conflict resolution and exclusions. We do not deal with any type of nuisance wildlife problems other than bats. We offer several levels of service so homeowners do not pay for services they do not need. In the summer you may find us hard to get hold of, as we are typically booked several months forward with work. Understand that as a consultant we are providing time sensitive bat work needed by large developers, state, and federal agencies. Consider that your bat colony has probably been in your building for years now, and there are reasons to avoid summer exclusions that directly benefit anyone living there. Our schedule is dynamic and we travel a lot, so as long as you are not panicked into insisting that bats be removed instantly, we always work clients in and get the job done. Please appreciate BCM staffers are professional biologists willing to do some weatherproofing to your building because we have intimate knowledge of how and why bats are persisting, working at night when the bats are active for a higher quality job. Not located in Pennsylvania? Traveling to your area is no problem, as we have also completed successful bat work in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Illinois, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Kentucky, and Florida. It pays to shop around and compare services...our clients claim our fees can be up to half what our competitors estimated. Because of our expertise, we have completed complex projects which other non-specialized contractors have walked away from or wildly overbid. Clients include private homeowners, the National Park Service, Pennsylvania State Parks, Department of Defense, the Nature Conservancy, apartment complexes, universities, and various private business locations. We will usually beat any written estimate for any locality, please call John Chenger at 717-241-2228 (9 AM-4 PM EST or 814-442-4246 for a phone consultation. Site Survey
Structure Repair
Bat House Installation
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Besides being inhumane, traps, poisons, and ultrasonic emitters do not address the real problem-- more animals will eventually enter the structure regardless of how many traps are set. These "quick fixes" only aggravate homeowners with failure, dwindle the pocketbook, and are a total waste of time.
Recently the PA Game Commission clearly made it illegal for any contractor in Pennsylvania to kill bats. A number of other state wildlife agencies have similar policies, so please be wary of any individual who proposes this "solution" or prepares to seal bats within a building without any allowance for escape. BCM also believes "trapping and relocating" bats is a total waste of time and your money, it accomplishes nothing that a simple exclusion screen can't do without the risk of killing bats accidently. Please read the PGC letter for yourself... |
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Phone Consultation Obviously there is no charge for a phone consultation. BCM, Inc. does not deal with termites, skunks, birds, or other nuisance wildlife. Rest assured you will be speaking to a bat expert who can help you find a solid solution with minimal risk to the wildlife and homeowner. A few items we will be discussing in order to formulate a plan will be:
Email Consultation There is no charge for an email consultation. For the best quote or some suggestions, email us photos of your situation.
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Recent Bat Exclusion Projects by BCM, Inc.
BCM is fully insured and discreet using unmarked vehicles. Our employees are rabies vaccinated and use respirators when applicable.
BCM does NOT physically remove bats from living spaces. We cannot assist in removing a bat in the living space at night, but some suggestions are available here. BCM offers only permenant, long term exclusion solutions.
Please email jchenger@batmanagement.com or call for information, estimate, and an appointment.
Bat Conservation and Management, Inc.
717-241-ABAT office (9 AM-4 PM EST) or 814-442-4246 cell