Bat Removal & Exclusion in Southern Maryland

Bats and your home

Bats are an important part of Southern Maryland's ecosystem and eat large numbers of insects. They also like to roost in attics, wall voids, chimneys and behind shutters, and they can fit through gaps as narrow as a finger. Their droppings, called guano, build up over time, create odors and can carry health risks. Bats can also carry rabies, so contact with them should always be taken seriously.

How Home Fixer handles it

• Inspection. We find where bats are entering and roosting, and identify every gap they could use.
• Humane exclusion. We install one-way exclusion devices that let bats leave but not come back in, following Maryland rules on timing so young bats that cannot fly yet are not trapped inside.
• Seal the structure. Once the bats are out, we seal and repair all openings under our Maryland Home Improvement Contractor license.
• Clean up. We remove guano and contaminated insulation through our attic remediation service when needed.

Why timing matters

Exclusion is typically not performed during the summer maternity season, when young bats are in the roost and cannot yet fly. Planning ahead helps us schedule the work at the right time and prevents trapping bats inside, which causes bigger problems for you and the bats.

Signs of bats in the attic

Bats are quiet, and many homeowners have them for years without knowing it. Watch the roofline at dusk for bats emerging, look for small piles of droppings below gaps in siding or trim, and check attics for guano on insulation or stains near openings. Guano crumbles easily and looks different from mouse droppings, which are harder and more uniform.

The big brown bat and the little brown bat are the species most often found in Maryland buildings. Both can squeeze through remarkably small gaps, so exclusion work has to cover the entire structure, not just the opening you can see.

What to do now

Never touch a bat with bare hands. If a bat is in your living space, close interior doors and call us. If anyone may have been bitten or had contact with the bat, or if a bat was found in a room with a sleeping person, child or pet, contact your local health department right away. Request a bat inspection or call or text (301) 659-0300.