Bats in the Attic

There are 6 year-round species of bats and 3 migratory species in the New Jersey & New York area. The region is home to millions of bats. While urban streets are too bright at night for these nocturnal mammals, suburban and heavily wooded regions are perfect nesting grounds. Homes near the woods can be especially vulnerable, as they provide a sturdy structure to protect them from the elements. Man-made structures are great places for bat colonies to roost, especially before hibernation, or during breeding times.
Bats can slip through very small holes or cracks in a structure to gain entry. Attics and lofts are usually the areas of the home in which bats inhabit. Bats can be identified in the home by a variety of signs: thumping and flapping noises, screeching and clicking sounds, fecal matter containing insect parts, and more. Bats can usually be seen leaving their shelters within an hour of sunset and returning around dawn. The entryway used by a bat colony will soon become stained brown with the oil from their fur.
Bat droppings can lead to the accumulation of a fungus that can cause lung disease in humans. As with any mammal pest, rabies can be an issue. While cases of rabies in bats are rare, they show little to no signs of infection.