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Bats commonly make their homes in the attics of homes in Massachusetts because they are safe, dark places where these flying mammals can seek shelter. Bats can enter your attic through a hole, crack, or vent opening that is only about a half inch in diameter. The biggest problem with controlling the bat(s) in your home is that they are protected by Massachusetts law and can not be killed or captured, except under permit. Massachusetts has these laws & regulations regarding bat control because bats are beneficial to our ecosystem for several reasons. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into why bats are protected, what the laws & regulations are regarding bat control, and how you can safely & legally deal with them when they are in your home! If you have any questions about bat control or are looking for professional bat control solutions in Massachusetts, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today!

Why Are Bats Beneficial To The Ecosystem?

While bats are often thought of as creepy, vampire-like creatures, they are actually extremely important parts of our ecosystem for several reasons. One reason that bats are crucial to our ecosystem is that they are pollinators. Bats feed on the nectar inside flowers, and as they move between flowers, they pick up pollen and distribute it to other flowers. Without the pollination provided by bats, many different kinds of plant species would slowly die out. Bats are also crucial to our ecosystem because they eat mosquitos, beetles, moths, and many other insects. Due to the fact that they eat so many of these potentially harmful insects, bats reduce the need for chemical pesticides. 

Massachusetts Laws & Regulations Regarding Bat Control

In accordance with the Massachusetts Homeowners Guide to Bats from Mass.gov, “Bats are protected by law in Massachusetts and may not be killed or captured, except under permit when they are creating a risk to public health or when they are damaging property.” This means that it is illegal to deal with bats in your home using lethal methods like traps. Instead, if you are dealing with a single bat, Mass.gov recommends opening a window or door so the bat can fly out of your home. If you discover a colony of bats (10 or more bats) in your attic or other area in your home, you should report the colony to Massachusetts and contact a pest control professional. According to Massachusetts law, bat colony evictions should be done using the installation of 1-way doors and can only be performed during the early spring or late summer. This is because bat colony evictions must be done before maternity season when mothers have their pups or after the pups have learned to fly and can leave the roost.

Contact Absolut Pest Control!

If you are dealing with a bat problem in your Massachusetts home, the best way to deal with it is to contact a pest control professional. Our team at Absolut Pest Control has years of experience dealing with a wide variety of pests, including bats, insects, rodents, birds, small mammals, and much more! Contact us today by giving us a call at (978) 388-4589 or by filling out the contact form on our website!