If you’ve ever discovered a bat flapping around your attic or garage, your first instinct might be to get rid of it fast. But for Michigan homeowners, there’s a legal line you can’t afford to cross. The laws surrounding bat removal in Michigan are strict, and for good reason. Bats are vital to our ecosystem, and many species are protected at the state and federal levels.
Let’s take a closer look at what the law says, why these critters matter, and how to solve a bat problem without breaking the rules.
Key Takeaways
- Most bats in Michigan are protected, and killing them during hibernation or maternity season is against the law.
- Bat droppings, noise, or sightings near your attic may point to a growing bat infestation in your home.
- Contact with bats can be risky because of rabies and histoplasmosis, so leave removal to trained professionals.
- Licensed experts follow legal guidelines to remove bats, seal entry points, restore your attic, and help prevent future infestations.
Is Killing Bats Against the Law in Michigan?
Yes, in most situations, it’s illegal to kill bats in Michigan. Many bat species in the state are listed as protected species by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the federal government.
This includes the Indiana bat, the northern long-eared bat, and the tri-colored bat, all of which are considered endangered or threatened due to major population losses caused by white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease.
Even commonly seen little brown bats and big brown bats, which often roost in attics, play essential roles in the local environment.
They are subject to legal protections during sensitive times of the year, such as hibernation in the winter months and the maternity colonies season.
What to Do When You See Bats in Your Michigan Home
If bats have shown up in your home, take a breath before making any moves. Since Michigan has strict rules about how and when bats can be removed, the last thing you want is to get on the wrong side of the law or make the problem worse.
Here’s how to handle it the right way:
Inspect the Situation
Start by figuring out the scope of your bat issue.
A lone bat might have simply lost its way, but repeated sightings or the presence of droppings (or guano) often point to a larger bat infestation.
If you’re in a place like Lansing, Lapeer, or Grand Rapids, call a local professional to inspect your attic, chimney, or siding for signs of a bat colony.
Avoid Contact
Bats aren’t usually aggressive, but they can carry rabies, and their droppings may contain spores that cause histoplasmosis, a lung infection.
You should also be cautious of other wildlife like raccoons, which may use the same access points.
Don’t Try DIY Removal
DIY bat removal is not only risky. It’s often illegal if done improperly or at the wrong time of year. Michigan law prohibits evicting bats during hibernation or the summer birth season when flightless pups are present.
Handling the situation without training or permits can cause unintended harm to these animals and violate wildlife protection laws.
Call a Professional
A licensed pest control company that offers wildlife control and bat removal services can evaluate the structure, locate all active entry points, and perform a safe, legal bat exclusion.
That includes confirming species type, especially if there’s a chance you’re dealing with an endangered species, and submitting reports to the appropriate animal control or health department office when needed.
Companies like Pest Pros of Michigan also provide attic restoration and cleanup of contaminated insulation and guano, making sure your home is safe and clean after the bats are gone.
Plan Long-Term Prevention
After bat removal, a smart step is to install a bat house outside your home. This gives displaced bats a new, safe roosting site while helping you avoid another problem inside.
At the same time, you’re contributing to bat conservation, something that benefits all of us by protecting insect-eating bats that help manage insect populations and even support pollination in local environments.
Legal Help for Michigan Bat Issues Starts Here
If you’ve noticed bats entering your roofline or seen evidence of a bat infestation, like stained ceilings or noisy chimneys, it’s time to call in the professionals.
At Pest Pros of Michigan, we offer licensed, humane bat removal, wildlife removal, and bat control services in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Lansing, and across southwest Michigan.
Our team knows the law, understands bat behavior, and is trained in identifying protected species. We follow DNR guidelines for seasonal bat exclusion and back it up with full attic restoration and exclusion warranties.
To stay safe and within the law, let professionals handle the problem.
Contact us now to solve your bat problem the right way.
