Wintertime Bat Removal: What You Can Do (And What You Shouldn’t)
Call (804) 729-0046 or toll-free (888) 824-7383
Finding a bat in your house during the winter can be scary. We get these calls every year from homeowners across Virginia—including Central Virginia – Richmond, Henrico, Glen Allen, Midlothian, and Charlottesville, Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads / Tidewater, and the Shenandoah Valley / Southwest Virginia areas.
Here’s the truth: winter is not the ideal time for full bat exclusion work, but that does not mean you’re stuck with a bat in your living space. You can still take smart, safe steps right now to protect your family and plan a permanent fix at the right time.
Why Are There Bats in My House in the Winter?
Most bats don’t want to be in your living room. In winter, bats are trying to stay in a stable, protected space.
When bats use a building, they typically do one of two things as the weather turns cold:
- Leave the structure and move to a winter hibernation site, or
- Stay in the structure and overwinter in a tight void (behind trim, in attic areas, wall spaces, etc.)
A winter “bat in the house” usually happens when temperature shifts push a bat to move inside the structure. The bat may follow warm air currents and end up in the living space through gaps around framing, duct chases, or other openings.
Important: A bat inside the living space in winter often suggests there may be bats overwintering somewhere in the structure, even if you don’t see them.
Can You Remove Bats From a House in the Winter?
You can remove a bat that’s currently inside the living space.
But a full “remove the colony and seal the house” project is usually seasonal.
Here’s why winter exclusion is tricky:
- Many bats are not leaving nightly to feed like they do in warm months.
- Some bats may be hidden in tight voids, dormant and hard to detect.
- Sealing the wrong area at the wrong time can lead to bats trapped inside, and that can create bigger problems.
That’s why reputable companies focus on:
- Immediate safety (a bat in the home), and
- Planning the permanent exclusion for the appropriate season.
For full service details, see Bat Removal in Virginia.
What To Do If You Find a Bat in Your House During Winter
1) Keep everyone away from the bat
Close interior doors to limit where the bat can go. Keep children and pets out of the room.
2) Don’t handle it with bare hands
Even healthy-looking bats can bite, and bites can be tiny and hard to notice.
3) If the bat was in a sleeping area, treat it seriously
If a bat is found in a bedroom (especially if someone was sleeping), contact your local health department for guidance. When possible, the bat may need to be evaluated for rabies.
4) Call for an inspection and a seasonal plan
A winter inspection can help determine:
- likely entry points
- signs of roosting activity
- the best timing for professional exclusion work
Call (804) 729-0046.
What NOT To Do
Don’t kill the bat and throw it away
If the bat needs to be tested, discarding it can remove that option and may create unnecessary medical decisions.
Don’t “catch and release” outside without a plan
Releasing it outside can remove the ability to test it (if needed) and it may simply return to the structure.
Don’t trust “guaranteed winter bat removal” claims
If a company promises to permanently solve a building bat issue in the middle of winter without discussing seasonality, that’s a red flag. Proper work requires correct timing and correct methods.
The Best Time for Bat Exclusion in Virginia
In Virginia, bat exclusion timing matters—especially during pup season. A professional will schedule work to avoid trapping flightless young inside and to help ensure a clean, permanent result.
If you suspect you have bats in the structure, the best approach is:
- Immediate help for a bat inside the living space, and
- Scheduled exclusion when conditions are right
Related Bat Resources (Next Steps)
You may also want to see:
- Bat Removal in Virginia
- Bat Guano Removal in Virginia
- Bat Bug Control
- Bat in Your House or Attic in Virginia? What to Do Next
Request Service
Please complete our contact form below:
Need Help With a Bat in the House?
If you have a bat in your home during winter or want a seasonal plan for exclusion, call:
(804) 729-0046 or toll-free (888) 824-7383
