What Do You Do If You Have a Bat in a Commercial Building?

Dealing with problems at your work can be really frustrating, especially when they are unexpected. If you are the boss or you run your building, it can be even more overwhelming to deal with! 

While minor problems like scheduling conflicts or late deliveries can be remedied without much or any impact on your customers, dealing with something like a pest infestation can be more involved and disruptive. 

This is especially true if you are dealing with a potentially dangerous pest like a bat! If you see a bat in your rafters or notice signs of a potential bat infestation, you might be wondering, “What do you do if you have a bat in a commercial building?”. 

Keeping safety in mind, let’s dive into the specifics about bat infestations and how to tackle them responsibly.

What Do You Do If You Have a Bat in a Commercial Building

Table of Contents

Why Bats Might Enter a Commercial Building

If you are dealing with a potential bat infestation, it is important to know why and where they came from. This not only helps you track down the bats themselves, but it also can help prevent them from coming back once the problem is taken care of. 

Seeking Shelter

Bats are prey animals, so one of their main priorities is finding a safe place to sleep and raise their young. Bats love dark, secure areas like caves and trees, but the attic space in your building will also look enticing.

Your attic or lesser-used rooms in your building will be safe, quiet, and dark, and it also offers protection from the elements and predators. 

Potential Food Sources

You may not want to think about this cause, but if you are dealing with an insect infestation, it might also attract bats. Many different types of insects are natural food sources for them, so the presence of moths, beetles, or flies can be enticing for a hungry colony. 

Seasonal Migration 

The bats in your attic might also just be passing through! Seasonal migration patterns for bats in the spring and fall can lead to an increased risk of experiencing a temporary bat infestation. If the bats are only in your space for a few days before moving on, make sure you secure your attic to prevent it from happening again when the seasons change.

Seasonal Migration

Accidental Entry 

Of course, there is always the possibility that you are dealing with a bat infestation entirely by accident. Bats can sometimes fly through open windows or make their way down chimneys without realizing where they will end up. Unfortunately, once inside, it can be hard for them to navigate their way back out without professional help. 

Identifying a Bat Infestation 

Thankfully, bat infestations typically do not go unnoticed for a long period of time. Bats are messy and loud, so you will notice that something is going on as the colony grows.

Signs of a bat infestation include: 

  • Visible bat sightings
  • Piles of guano 
  • Dark stains on walls or around entry points
  • Scurrying or scratching noises at dawn and dusk
Identifying a Bat Infestation

If you notice any of these signs, you must exercise extreme caution. Any pest infestation can be dangerous, but bat infestations are especially so. Bats can carry serious diseases like Salmonella and rabies.  

Safety First: What to Do Immediately 

The first thing you should do is not panic. While it is important to remember that bats can be dangerous, panicking can lead to unnecessary chaos for everyone under your roof. Avoid direct contact with the bat(s) and do your best to give them a wide berth. Secure the area with the bats and keep everyone out of the space. 

If the bat is in your storefront or in an area that is essential to your business, it may be necessary to close completely to keep everyone safe. After that, call a professional bat removal company right away. 

The longer a bat or a bat colony is in your building, the more danger it poses to your team and to the health of your building. Bat colonies are messy, and they will quickly leave their mark on your building by leaving urine, guano, debris and other refuse in your space. They will also gnaw and scratch on your support beams, which can make your property unstable and a safety concern. 

The Importance of Professional Bat Removal Services 

Investing in a professional bat removal team is essential to ensure the bats are removed and your space is safe. Attempting to remove a bat on your own can be really dangerous, so let a professional handle it instead!

The Importance of Professional Bat Removal Services

A trained bat removal team will have the right safety gear and the proper removal equipment to stay safe and in control the entire time. A professional team will also know the steps necessary to prevent a bat infestation from occurring in your building again. 

Preventing Future Bat Infestations 

Removing the bat is one thing, but preventing a future infestation is essential for a permanently bat-free building! Tackling the problem at the source will help ensure your building is safe and free of dangerous pests. 

Sealing Entry Points

Bats can squeeze into tiny openings in vents, soffits, and around your roof line. If there are any sort of gaps or holes in these areas, they must be sealed up properly to stop it from happening again. Professional sealing can ensure this process is done the right way. 

Install Bat Deterrents 

Some bats are persistent, so adding deterrents is necessary to keep them out of your building for good. Nets and covers can be installed over vents or utility work, and installing motion-activated bright lights can help keep them away.

Install Bat Deterrents

Routine Maintenance 

The best way to prevent a future bat infestation is to keep up with routine maintenance. If you notice that a shingle is missing on your roof or if a vent cover fell off during a storm, repairing these issues right away can stop an infestation in its tracks. 

Wondering what to do about a bat infestation in your building? We have you covered. Contact the team at Master Attic today at (800) 285-4009 for a complete bat removal and pest infestation restoration. 

Meta: Dealing with a bat infestation in your commercial building? Master Attic explains why bat infestations are dangerous and how to handle them safely.

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