In Utah, bats begin returning to their summer roosts in late March and April — before you’ve even opened your windows for spring. If you had bats last year, they’re coming back to the same spot. If you’ve never had bats, this is the window to make sure you don’t. Here’s what to do right now.
When to Act: The Utah Bat Prevention Calendar
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| January–February | Schedule professional inspection (good off-season pricing, less urgency) |
| March–April | Best prevention window — seal before bats arrive for maternity season |
| May 1 – August 15 | Maternity season — exclusion restricted. Emergency single-bat removal only. |
| August 15 – October | Excellent exclusion window — pups are mobile, colony will disperse for winter |
DIY Bat Prevention: What You Can Check Yourself
Before spending money on a professional, do a walk-around inspection of your home’s exterior. Look for:
Roofline Inspection (Do This at Dusk)
The most reliable time to find bat entry points is 20–30 minutes after sunset. Stand outside and watch your roofline. Any bat exiting from a specific point has identified your entry point for you. Mark it for sealing.
What to Look For in Daylight
- Dark, greasy staining around any gap or opening along the roofline — this is the oils from bat fur plus guano residue
- Torn or corroded vent screens on gable vents, soffit vents, and ridge vents
- Gaps at fascia boards — run your eye along the line where the fascia meets the roof deck and siding. Any gap wider than ¼ inch is a potential entry
- Chimney gaps — the gap where chimney flashing meets masonry, or where the cap screen has deteriorated
- Utility line entries — where electrical conduit, HVAC lines, or pipes enter the structure, any gap around the penetration is a potential entry
What You Can Seal Yourself (and What You Shouldn’t)
Safe DIY Sealing Materials
- Polyurethane foam (Great Stuff): Good for sealing utility penetrations and non-structural gaps in hard-to-access areas
- Hardware cloth (½ inch galvanized mesh): Best for covering gable vents and attic louvers while maintaining airflow
- Caulk (paintable polyurethane or silicone): For sealing small cracks in wood and masonry where bats might squeeze through
What NOT to Do Yourself
- Never seal bats in: Before sealing any opening, confirm there are no bats inside. If bats are already roosting, you must use exclusion devices first — sealing bats inside kills the colony and creates a serious odor and health problem
- Don’t attempt to seal during maternity season: May 1–August 15, any sealing that could trap pups inside is illegal
- Don’t seal ridge vents from the outside: This can block ventilation and lead to moisture and rot issues. Professional solutions maintain the vent function while blocking bat entry
When to Call a Professional
Call us if:
- You’ve already seen bats exiting your home — the colony is established and you need exclusion, not just prevention
- Your roofline is complex (multiple dormers, tile roof, stucco exterior) and hard to inspect safely
- You want a written guarantee that your home is bat-proofed properly
- You’ve had bats before — past colonies attract new ones through scent marking
Utah Wildlife Specialists provides free inspections and written estimates. Call now to get scheduled before the maternity season closes the exclusion window: (801) 675-8829.
Utah Wildlife Specialists — Licensed, Insured, Guaranteed | Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden & all of Utah
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