One of the most common calls we get is from homeowners who hired a pest control company for their bat problem — and three months later, the bats are back. Here’s why that happens, what the law says, and why choosing the right contractor matters enormously for bat removal in Utah.
Pest Control vs. Wildlife Removal: A Critical Distinction
Pest control companies are licensed to deal with insects, rodents, and other pests using chemical treatments. Wildlife removal specialists are licensed by state wildlife agencies to handle protected wildlife species. These are completely different licenses, different training, and different regulatory frameworks.
Bats in Utah are not pests — they are protected wildlife. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources classifies bats as protected nongame species. Any contractor working with bats must hold a valid UDWR Wildlife Removal Permit. Most pest control companies do not hold this permit.
What Happens When the Wrong Contractor Handles Bats
- Chemical treatments fail: Bats cannot be poisoned in Utah — it’s illegal. Any contractor suggesting pesticide-based bat removal is not compliant with Utah law.
- Improper exclusion: General pest control contractors often seal entry points without proper exclusion devices, trapping bats inside. Trapped bats die, decompose inside your walls, and create odor and secondary pest problems lasting months.
- Maternity season violations: Unlicensed contractors may not know about or follow Utah’s May–August exclusion restriction, potentially creating legal liability for both the contractor and homeowner.
- No warranty: A pest control company that seals bats in (vs. properly excluding them) has no basis for a warranty — the job will fail and bats will find new entry points.
What a UDWR-Licensed Wildlife Specialist Provides
- Legal authority to work with protected bat species under Utah wildlife law
- Training in one-way exclusion — the only legal, humane, and effective method
- Knowledge of maternity season restrictions and compliance requirements
- Species identification to ensure ESA compliance
- Written warranties backed by the ability to legally return and re-treat
How to Verify Your Contractor
Before hiring any bat removal company in Utah, verify: (1) UDWR Wildlife Removal Permit — ask for the permit number and verify at wildlife.utah.gov; (2) Liability insurance certificate; (3) Written exclusion warranty.
Utah Wildlife Specialists holds all required Utah licenses and is fully insured. Call for a free consultation: (801) 675-8829.
Utah Wildlife Specialists — UDWR Licensed | Fully Insured | Guaranteed Results
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