Bat Removal & Bat Exclusion in Niagara
Pro Wildlife Niagara removes bats from attics, walls and roofs across the Niagara Region, including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland and Grimsby. We use one-way exclusion: bats fly out and can’t get back in, and their entry gaps are sealed. We never harm bats, and we time the work around the summer pup season and Ontario’s protected species. Call 289-273-2251.
How do I know if I have bats in my attic?
The clearest sign is bats flying out of a roofline gap at dusk. Others are small dark droppings (guano) piled under an entry point or in the attic, brown rub marks around gaps, and faint squeaking or scratching in walls or ceilings at dusk and dawn. A bat inside the living space is another warning sign.
- Bats emerging at dusk from soffits, gable vents, ridge vents, chimney flashing or siding gaps
- Guano that crumbles to dust when crushed (mouse droppings don’t)
- Greasy brown staining around a small gap
- A strong ammonia smell in the attic
How do you get rid of bats humanely?
Bats are removed by exclusion, not trapping. We find every gap bats use, often as small as about 1–2 cm, and seal all but the main exits. We fit one-way devices on those exits so bats leave at night and can’t re-enter. After activity stops, we remove the devices and seal the final gaps.
- Inspection. Roofline, attic and a dusk check to see where bats exit, how many there are and whether pups are likely present.
- Seal secondary gaps. Close every opening the bats aren’t actively using.
- Install one-way exclusion devices on the active exits.
- Wait for the colony to leave. The devices stay up until there’s no more activity.
- Follow-up visit (included) and final seal. Usually about two weeks later, once activity stops, we remove the devices, seal the last gaps and check for activity.
- Guano clean-up where needed. Attic clean-up, including guano, is quoted after inspection.
When can bats be removed in Ontario?
Bats should only be excluded when no flightless young are in the roost. In Ontario that usually rules out roughly June to mid-August, the maternity season. Exclusion during deep winter is also avoided, because bats hibernating in a building can’t survive outside. Spring and late summer to fall are the usual windows.
| Time of year | Can bats be excluded? |
|---|---|
| Spring (before pups) | Usually yes |
| ~June to mid-August (pups can’t fly) | No: seal-up waits; we can still inspect and plan |
| Late August to fall | Usually yes, the most common window |
| Winter | Usually no if bats are hibernating inside |
Are bats protected in Ontario?
Yes. Seven Ontario bats are listed as endangered under the Species Conservation Act, 2025, including the little brown myotis, northern myotis and tri-coloured bat. They and their habitat can’t be harmed. The big brown bat, the species most often found in Niagara homes, isn’t listed, but humane exclusion is still required practice.
What should I do if a bat is in my house?
Stay calm and keep people and pets away. Close interior doors, open a window or exterior door and turn off the lights so the bat can fly out. Don’t touch it with bare hands. If anyone may have been bitten or scratched, or a bat was in a room where someone was sleeping, call Niagara Region Public Health.
Bats can carry rabies. A bite can be too small to notice, which is why public health assesses any possible contact. See Niagara Region’s rabies information.
Is bat guano dangerous?
Large guano build-up can be a health concern. Dried droppings can carry a fungus linked to histoplasmosis, a lung infection, and the smell attracts insects. Don’t sweep or vacuum guano without proper protection. After bats are excluded, contaminated insulation may need professional removal and replacement.
How much does bat removal cost in Niagara?
Bat removal is quoted after an inspection. The cost depends on how many entry gaps there are, the height and pitch of the roof, the size of the colony and the season. The inspection costs $75–$100 plus HST and is credited toward the work, and you get a firm price before work starts. See the wildlife removal price guide.
Frequently asked questions
Will bats leave on their own?
Bats often return to the same roost every year, so they rarely leave for good on their own. A colony that used your attic this summer will usually be back next spring unless the entry gaps are sealed after the bats are out.
Can I seal the holes myself?
Sealing holes while bats are inside can trap them. They may die in the walls or find a way into your living space. Sealing during pup season can kill flightless young. One-way exclusion first, then sealing, is the safe order.
How small a gap can a bat use?
A bat can squeeze through a gap of about 1–2 cm, roughly the width of your thumb. Common entry points are gaps at soffit and fascia corners, loose ridge and gable vents, chimney flashing and spaces behind siding or trim.
Do you remove bats across Niagara?
Yes. Pro Wildlife Niagara provides bat inspections, one-way exclusion and entry-point sealing across the Niagara Region, including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland and Grimsby. We schedule the work around the pup season, so there may be a short wait in midsummer. Call 289-273-2251 to book an inspection.
Is bat removal covered by home insurance?
Coverage varies by policy and insurer. Many policies exclude damage from animals or pests, while some cover sudden damage. Check your own policy or ask your insurer before work starts, and take photos of the damage and the entry points.
Sources
- O. Reg. 60/26, Protected Species in Ontario List (Species Conservation Act, 2025): https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/260060
- Species at risk in Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/species-risk-ontario
- Little brown myotis, northern myotis and tri-colored bat government response statement (specially protected mammals under the FWCA): https://www.ontario.ca/page/little-brown-myotis-northern-myotis-and-tri-colored-bat-government-response-statement
- CCOHS, Histoplasmosis: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/histopla.html
- Niagara Region, Rabies: http://www.niagararegion.ca/living/health_wellness/disease-prevent/rabies.aspx