Bat removal for churches and historic buildings
Steeples, bell towers, cornices, and a century of repairs. These buildings give bats plenty of places to live and deserve careful hands.
Why bats love old buildings
A steeple or bell tower is warm, dark, high, and rarely visited, which is exactly what a maternity colony looks for. Older churches and historic buildings also tend to have:
- Wood cornices and decorative trim that have shrunk and separated
- Louvered belfry openings with screening that failed long ago
- Masonry joints and parapets where mortar has worn away
- Roof additions, repairs, and replaced sections that don’t quite meet the original
- Voids above ceilings that no one has opened in decades
The Triangle has a lot of these buildings, from churches around Raleigh’s Oakwood and Blount Street to Durham’s historic districts and the older congregations in Wake Forest, Apex, and Fuquay-Varina.
How the problem usually surfaces
Someone notices droppings on a balcony rail, in a choir loft, or on the floor below the tower stairs. A sexton hears scratching in the ceiling. A bat flies through the sanctuary during an evening service. The colony may have been there for years before anyone put it together.
How we approach these buildings
- A careful survey. We look at the tower, belfry, cornices, roofline, and masonry, and we look inside where access allows. Emergence watches help on tall structures where gaps are hard to see.
- A plan that respects the building. Materials and devices are chosen for the surface. On visible historic details, we explain what will show and for how long.
- Timing. North Carolina bars evictions from May 1 through July 31. For a church, we also plan around services and events.
- Exclusion and sealing. Secondary gaps first, one-way devices on active openings, permanent sealing once the colony is out.
- Cleanup. Guano in towers, attics, and ceiling voids is removed with care for the space below. See guano cleanup in attics and towers.
For the people making the decision
Church property committees and historic building owners usually need something they can bring to a meeting. You’ll get a plain explanation, photos of what we found, and a quote broken into exclusion, repairs, and cleanup. Our exclusion work is backed by a warranty.
For other large buildings, see commercial bat removal. Back to the Triangle Bat Removal home page.
Related bat services
Questions we hear a lot
Will exclusion damage original materials?
It shouldn't. We choose devices and sealing materials that suit the surface and can be removed or blended in, and we talk through anything visible before we do it.
Can you work around services and events?
Yes. Exterior work is scheduled around services, weddings, funerals, and building use, and we keep the grounds clear.
The bats are in the steeple, not the sanctuary. Do we still need to deal with them?
Usually yes. Guano builds up in towers and attics, and a colony can find its way into occupied space through old gaps. It's easier to exclude them before that happens.
Is our building's historic designation a problem?
It may affect what materials are appropriate on visible surfaces. Let us know about any designation or review process, and we'll plan the work to fit it.
What customers say
I cannot thank Joe and his team (Chris, Forrest, Mike & Grayson) enough for the work they put in for a successful bat exclusion and bat bug remediation. I reached out in June for noises I was hearing in the ceiling of my home office. They inspected very quickly & identified bats... They were able to close any other entry points, Chris fixed our exhaust vents and they successfully excluded the bats. They did a great clean up job & treated for the bugs twice.
Marian Morritt on Google
Mike from Integrated Wildlife Management came to my home recently to do an inspection of a bat colony that was roosting in one of our gable vents. He did a thorough inspection, pointed out some other entry points in our attic and gave a fair quote. He came back to do the removal and exclusion work this week and everything was done as promised. When I had a question about the warranty, Joe gave me a straightforward answer and addressed my concerns.
Peter Dooling on Google
Had an unexpected bat in our fireplace on a Saturday night at 5:30pm and a quick search led me Joe and the Integrated team. They had the bat out of the fireplace by 8:30pm and came back for a full inspection the next day! I was very impressed with their quick reply during weekend hours and their professionalism to get the job done right!
Nick H. on Google
Ready to get it handled?
- You'll talk with Joe Zets or his crew, not a call center
- Exclusion work backed by a warranty
- Homes, churches, campuses, and commercial buildings
- Emergency help when a bat is inside