Jeff King

Bats, the only mammals capable of flight, are a crucial part of our ecosystem. Living exterminators, these flying critters are responsible for controlling pests like mosquitoes from getting out of hand.

Bats once filled the great forests of the Lehigh Valley and even the suburbs surrounding Southeastern Pennsylvania. However, bats are a protected species that are considered at risk.

While the temptation to remove a bat by any means may cross your mind, wildlife experts and exterminators must follow specific protocols to protect bat populations in Pennsylvania.

While bats are critical for pest control in the ecosystem, they can cause a lot of damage to your home as nuisance wildlife themselves. If you have a bat infestation or are looking to get rid of a bat in your home, here are seven important things you should know about bats and bat exclusion.

1. Bats Are a Protected Species

Multiple bats are under threat of extinction as the US Fish and Wildlife Service recently classified the northern long-eared bat as an endangered species. Driving much of this decline is a loss of habitat and a vicious fungal virus, known as white-nose syndrome, killing an estimated 97% of this bat species.

Because bats are a protected species, this limits pest control options for homeowners dealing with bats in their home, including when and how they can be removed. For this reason, unless you have read up on the proper regulations, you need to call a professional to get rid of bats in your home.

2. Bat Exclusion Is the Proper Form of Pest Control

Due to their protected status, bats can only be removed from their habitat between July and October to prevent the bat mating cycle disruption.

The only long-term solution for bat pest control is bat exclusion services. This service includes a mix of preventative measures designed to prevent bats from entering your home in the first place, such as:

• Seal all cracks and access points around your home; bats can squeeze through openings as small as ½ inch.
• Cover open sections with netting or screens, especially around vents, chimneys, and eaves.
• Complete all roof repairs to eliminate gaps or damaged areas that bats could use to get inside.
• Plug up even the smallest holes using durable materials like caulk, steel wool, or hardware cloth.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by removing standing water around your property—bats are often drawn to areas with abundant insects.
• Make your home less appealing to bats by keeping outdoor lighting low and removing overhanging branches or clutter near the roofline.

Many bats like to roost in high or dark places, which could include many spots in a home. They often find their way underneath eaves and hide away in attics.

3. Bats Carry Disease and Can Damage Your Property

While many people are aware of the risk of rabies that comes with bats, they can also carry several other diseases, such as histoplasmosis, which is found in their droppings (guano).

However, bat guano can wreak havoc in many other ways. Due to the large volume of waste that bats excrete, they can actually damage your home, including your floors, siding, and walls, if left unchecked for long periods of time.

Additionally, should bats reside or get trapped inside your home, they can become ill, injured, or die in the nooks and crannies, causing additional problems.

4. There Are Multiple Bat Species in Pennsylvania

There are several species of bats found all across Pennsylvania that have their own unique traits and behaviour.

• Big Brown Bats: These bats are mid-sized mammals that are dark in color. They feed on insects and roost in any high point they can find. You can find them in your eaves, attics, and other high places during the day and hunting at night. They are common nesters during the winter months and can travel alone or in groups.
• Little Brown Bats: These little creatures are only about three inches long. They can hide in small spaces in the warmer months and seek shelter when they hibernate. Their favorite delicacy includes small, soft-bodied insects, or bugs, near slow-moving water.

5. Timing Is Everything When It Comes to Bat Exclusion

Timing is everything if you want to flush a bat infestation from your home. Bat exclusion is tricky; if done incorrectly, you can have more problems. It should be done after the young bats have had a chance to vacate and after the adults venture out to feed, typically in the summer. Your home could suffer more damage if done too early or too late.

Fleeing bats could become trapped and die. Females could be separated from their young and could continuously try to re-enter their home. Therefore, a professional should handle this process to ensure that the outcome is satisfactory for you and the wildlife.

6. DIY Bat Pest Control Is Not Recommended

While it may be tempting to try removing bats yourself, DIY exclusion can be dangerous, ineffective, and often illegal. Bats are protected in Pennsylvania, and mishandling them, especially during maternity season, can result in fines, health risks, and worse outcomes for the bats and your home.

Improper sealing can trap bats inside your attic or walls, creating a biohazard and leading to dead animals you’ll have to locate and remove. Additionally, guano cleanup must be done with care to avoid exposure to harmful spores that can cause lung infections like histoplasmosis.

7. Bats Are Mostly Harmless and Good for the Environment

Bats play a vital role in Pennsylvania’s ecosystem. A single bat can eat hundreds of mosquitoes and crop-damaging insects in one night, making them excellent natural pest control. They’re shy, non-aggressive animals that typically avoid human contact.

However, problems arise when bats roost too close to human living spaces. Their droppings can cause property damage and health issues, and though rabies in bats is rare, the risk still exists.

That’s why responsible removal is key. The Pest Rangers use exclusion methods that protect your home while respecting bat conservation efforts. We’ll help you keep bats out without harming them or violating wildlife laws.

If you suspect that you have a bat infestation, contact our licensed pest control experts to assess the problem and protect your home from nuisance wildlife.

FAQs

How do I know if bats are in my attic?

Look for signs like bat droppings (guano), strong odors, squeaking or fluttering sounds near dusk, and visible exit points near your roofline or chimney.

Can bats make me sick?

Yes, though usually indirectly. Guano can host a fungus that causes histoplasmosis, a lung disease. There is also a small risk of rabies from bat bites. Never attempt to handle bats yourself.

How do professionals remove bats humanely?

Professionals use one-way exclusion devices that let bats exit but prevent them from re-entering. Once all bats are gone, entry points are sealed to prevent future infestations.

Rodents are common inhabitants of Pennsylvania, as our great commonwealth is home to two native species of mice, four voles, and several species of imported mice. 

From voles that disrupt crops in rural areas like Bucks County to rats that fester in cities like Allentown, rodents can be an unwelcome surprise to property owners, and can quickly overstay their welcome. 

Unfortunately, due to the many horrible myths floating around about these destructive pests, people have some sketchy rodent control information that makes taking care of the problem more difficult.

Will mice only explore during the night? Would getting a cat work if a rat can match it in size? Can you snag those critters with a hunk of cheese?

Here are some myths and facts about rodents in Pennsylvania and rodent control that will set the record straight.

Common Small Rodents in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to a variety of small rodent species that can fit through the tiniest cracks and find their way into your home if you’re not careful.

• House Mouse – Small, grayish-brown, and highly adaptable, house mice are common indoor pests, especially during colder months. They enter through tiny openings and often nest in walls, basements, or pantries.
  
• Deer Mouse – Recognizable by its white belly and brown back, the deer mouse is often found in rural or wooded areas. While less likely to infest homes, it can carry hantavirus and pose a serious health risk when it does.
  
• Norway Rat – Large, heavy-bodied rats often found near sewers, basements, and lower levels of buildings. They’re aggressive, excellent burrowers, notorious for contaminating food and spreading disease.
  
• Roof Rat – More slender and agile than the Norway rat, roof rats prefer high places like attics, rafters, or trees. They’re quick climbers and capable of causing damage to insulation and wiring.
  
• Voles – Small, chunky rodents that resemble field mice. They burrow underground and are often responsible for damaging lawns, gardens, and ornamental plants by chewing roots and bark.

Signs a Small Rodent Is In Your House

Rodents are elusive and typically operate at night, but even the sneakiest intruder leaves behind evidence. Here are some of the most common and telling signs of a rodent infestation:

• Droppings – Rodent droppings are small, dark, and pellet-shaped. House mouse droppings are about 1/8 inch long with pointed ends, while rat droppings are larger and blunt. You’ll often find them concentrated near food sources, behind appliances, inside drawers, or along baseboards.
  
• Gnaw Marks – Rodents have ever-growing incisors that require constant gnawing to keep in check. Look for chew marks on wood, cardboard, plastic containers, and even electrical wiring—this can pose a serious fire hazard. Fresh gnaw marks are lighter in color and darken over time.
  
• Scratching Sounds – At night, you may hear scratching, scampering, or rustling noises coming from behind walls, ceilings, or under floorboards. These sounds are often a dead giveaway of rodent activity, particularly when the house is quiet.
  
• Grease Trails – As rodents travel the same routes repeatedly, the oils from their fur rub off on walls, baseboards, and floorboards, creating visible smudge marks or dark streaks along their paths.
  
• Nests – Rodents build nests using shredded materials like paper, fabric, insulation, and dried plant matter. These nests are typically hidden in quiet, dark areas such as inside wall cavities, behind appliances, or in storage boxes.
  

Spotting even a single sign should prompt a closer inspection. Rodents reproduce rapidly, and what starts as one or two can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation.

If you’re unsure or uncomfortable dealing with the problem yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed pest control professional.

7 Myths About Small Rodents in Pennsylvania

Unfortunately, some pernicious myths about rodents have stuck around, making it harder for homeowners to accurately and effectively deal with an ongoing rodent infestation. Here are seven common myths that must be dispelled to understand and eliminate rodents. 

Myth #1 – Rats can be as large as a house cat.

Fact: Norway rats–the largest rat–can sometimes reach up to 1 pound and measure nearly 8 inches long; they are nowhere near the size of house cats, which are normally around 10-12 pounds.

These “big” rats are more than likely confused with another rodent species. Since many rodents use a water source to travel, it may be that rats are confused with much bigger animals.

Myth #2 – Cats will take care of a mouse problem.

Fact: A cat in a home may take care of your rodent problem, provided they are “mousers.” Not all cats are hunters, and not all hunters will hunt mice.

Well-fed cats may not be bothered to hunt any whiskered intruders. Of course, some cats will hunt for fun and thrill, but some cats do not. It’s also rare for a cat to challenge a rat.

Myth #3 – Rats and mice can get through tiny holes because they are boneless.

Fact: Rats and mice actually have internal skeletons but have very flexible ribs, allowing them to squeeze through the tiniest gaps. Rodents have more flexibility and lack a collarbone which makes getting into small places much easier. Quite simply, if they can get their head through it, they can bypass it.

Myth #4 – Seeing rodents in daylight means there’s an entire colony

Fact: Rats and mice are primarily nocturnal, but they always move about regardless of whether it is day or night. If you see one, it’s not necessarily a sign of a big infestation–it’s just much easier to see them in the daylight.

Mice will only explore when they feel safe or when they are hungry. Their senses are sharp and always alert for any potential threats. Additionally, they usually have their own routes where they can move around undetected. Also, they only sleep for a short period of time. Better signs of a major infestation include droppings, burrows, or actual property damage.

Myth #5 – Cheese is the best bait to catch a mouse or rat.

Fact: Though cartoon mice going after cheese are plentiful, it’s more likely that mice would enjoy grains, seeds, or fruits. Though a rodent may eat cheese, what they will go after depends on the species and their hunger.

They tend to go after foods higher in fiber or fat. The ideal bait options for catching mice include fruit, grains, and peanut butter.

Myth #6 – Rats and mice aren’t aggressive creatures

Fact: Like any cornered animal, rats and mice will attack when threatened. They will likely go on the offensive if surprised or if they feel trapped. They can easily puncture skin with a bite that could cut nerves, strike bone, and cause infection.

Rats won’t necessarily only attack when cornered–they will even bite if they smell food. While rats don’t necessarily carry the black plague, they can transmit some pretty nasty diseases, including leptospirosis and rat-bite fever.

Myth #7 – Having rodents means a home is run-down or in poor condition.

Fact: Though rodent control is needed in places with poor sanitation, they can be found just about anywhere. Rodents move along water sources like streams and sewers, and they can invade anywhere they can find access.

Like any other creature, they require water to survive and tend to stay near it. They rely on an adequate food source, which can be just about anything: garbage, pet food, bird seed, or fruit trees.

How to Get Rid of Small Rodents in Pennsylvania

A rodent infestation can be frustrating, but they are completely manageable if you follow the right steps.

Start by sealing up any potential entry points. Mice and rats can squeeze through incredibly small openings, so check around doors, windows, vents, pipes, and crawlspaces. Use steel wool, caulk, or metal flashing to block access—spray foam alone won’t stop them for long.

Next, make your home less inviting. Rodents are always on the hunt for food, so store pantry items in airtight containers, wipe up crumbs, and don’t leave pet food sitting out overnight. A clean kitchen goes a long way toward discouraging unwanted guests.

Strategically placed traps can help reduce the population, especially in high-traffic zones like behind appliances, along baseboards, or in the attic. Bait them with peanut butter, fruit, or grains for the best results.

Keep an eye out for new activity—fresh droppings, gnaw marks, or odd noises. These clues can help you pinpoint where rodents are hiding or moving through your home.

And if the problem seems bigger than you expected—or you’d rather not deal with it at all—don’t hesitate to call a professional. A licensed pest control expert can inspect your home, identify the culprits, and build a custom treatment plan to kick them out for good.

FAQs

Are mice and rats dangerous?

Aside from damaging property, rodents can spread diseases such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella. Their droppings and urine can contaminate surfaces, and their constant gnawing can pose electrical fire risks.

Is it true that if I see one rodent, there are more?

Often, yes. Rodents are social and reproduce quickly. If you’ve spotted one, it’s a good idea to inspect further or bring in a professional to assess the extent of the infestation.

When should I call a pest control professional?

If DIY methods don’t work, the signs are widespread, or you want peace of mind, it’s smart to call in the pros. Professionals have the tools and expertise to safely eliminate rodents and prevent future invasions.