Why work with professionals to remove bats from your home? Bats are protected by Illinois law.
In illinois, all bats are protected under the Illinois Wildlife Code. Bats can only be removed between March 15 and May 15, and August 5 through October 30. It's important to work with a professional wildlife removal company to ensure that bats are removed humanely and according to Illinois regulations.
Where Do Bats Live in Illinois?
Illinois is home to a surprising diversity of bats, especially in regions with rich natural habitats. The cave regions of southern Illinois, as well as the valleys of the Mississippi, Illinois River, and Chicago River, are prime real estate for bats thanks to their abundant food sources and shelter. You’ll find species like big brown bats, little brown bats, Northern long-eared myotis, and tri-colored bats making their homes in these areas. Most of these species are colonial, meaning they tend to gather in groups and are often found roosting together in attics, barns, and other structures when natural habitats aren’t available.
As the temperatures rise and bats shake off the last chills of winter, they begin seeking out quiet, dark places to roost—sometimes leading them straight into homes and buildings across Illinois.
Understanding Torpor in Bats
As spring brings bats out of hiding, you might wonder what exactly they've been up to all winter. Unlike the classic deep winter slumber of some mammals, bats experience a state known as torpor. But what is torpor, and how does it differ from true hibernation?
Torpor is a temporary, energy-saving state that bats enter during the cold months, especially when food is scarce. In this state, their bodily functions—like heart rate and breathing—slow down dramatically, conserving energy and allowing them to survive without eating for stretched periods.
The big difference between torpor and true hibernation? Flexibility. While animals in true hibernation remain in deep sleep for the duration of winter, bats in torpor can rouse themselves when temperatures occasionally rise. On milder days, it’s not uncommon to see a bat fluttering out of its roost in search of a quick snack, only to settle back into torpor afterward. This unique adaptation helps them cope with Illinois’ unpredictable spring thaws and cold snaps.
Most bats prefer secluded spots like caves and mines to wait out winter. However, if those aren’t available, they may settle for attics, barns, or other quiet corners of your home. It’s best to leave them undisturbed during this period and wait until spring warmth invites them out—then you can safely manage their removal. While these creatures may be fascinating to observe in the wild, they can become a nuisance when they decide to take up residence in your home. Bats colonize, so the longer you wait to remedy your situation, the number of bats will increase. Not only can these creatures cause damage to your property and emit an unfavorable smell, but they also pose a risk to your health as they are known carriers of diseases like rabies. For these reasons, it’s important to act now and have any bat infestations in your home addressed as soon as possible.
All that said, bats are protected by law in Illinois. The state recognizes the important role that bats play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by pollinating plants and controlling insect populations. According to Illinois law, it is illegal to harm, kill, or disturb bats or their habitats without a permit. This means that it’s crucial to work with a certified professional who knows how to handle bat removal safely and legally.
When Can You Remove a Bat from a Living Space in Illinois?
If a bat finds its way into a room you actively use—such as your bedroom, living room, or kitchen—you can safely remove it at any time of year. Living spaces, as opposed to attics or wall voids, are areas where immediate removal is allowed for the safety and comfort of your household. This exception exists so you can promptly address situations where bats have direct contact with people or pets without conflicting with state regulations that protect their roosting habits elsewhere in your home.
Why Winter Bat Eviction Is Not Recommended
You might wonder why you shouldn't simply remove bats as soon as you discover them—especially during the colder months. It turns out, winter isn’t the right time for eviction. Here’s why:
During Illinois winters, bats enter a special kind of deep sleep called torpor, often choosing to roost in caves, old mines, or sometimes your attic if natural spots are in short supply. In this dormant state, their bodies slow down so they can survive for months without finding food.
Attempting to remove bats while they’re hunkered down for winter can put them at serious risk. Displacing them during this vulnerable period leaves them without access to food or safe shelter, and with harsh temperatures outside, their chances of survival plummet. For both legal and humane reasons, it’s best to wait until spring, when the weather warms and the bats are more active. This ensures any exclusion or removal efforts won’t inadvertently cause harm to these protected animals.
Common Bat Species in Illinois Attics
If you’re wondering which bats might be roosting above your ceiling tiles, Illinois attics often attract a few usual suspects. Homeowners most frequently encounter the big brown bat and the little brown bat—two species that have adapted well to urban and suburban environments and are particularly fond of warm, sheltered spots inside buildings.
You might also come across the northern long-eared bat or the tri-colored bat, both of which are considered colonial species and have been documented using attics and other structures for seasonal shelter. Their habit of living in groups means that what starts as a small presence can quickly turn into a full-scale colony. Reporting these finds to professionals is especially important, since some of these species are protected and require specialized removal techniques.
How Long Do Baby Bats Rely on Their Mothers?
Understanding the life cycle of bats can help you appreciate why timing is so important in any removal process. When baby bats are born in the spring, they’re completely dependent on their mothers for survival. The mothers leave the attic each night to hunt for food, while the little ones remain behind, unable to care for themselves.
For about the first three weeks, pups cannot fly and rely solely on their mothers for milk and protection. Even after they start practicing flight and feeding on insects, young bats continue to nurse until they’re roughly six weeks old. Attempting removal before they’re independent risks trapping the pups inside, putting both them and your home at risk. This is why reputable wildlife specialists always consider the bat maternity season before beginning any removal process.
At Fur Busters, we specialize in humane and effective bat removal services, while strictly adhering to all laws and regulation. Our team of experienced professionals is trained to safely remove bats from your home, while also taking steps to prevent future infestations. We use a variety of methods, including bat valves and exclusion devices that allow the bats to leave, without causing harm to the animals, and prevents them from returning.
How Our Bat Removal Process Works
The most effective and humane way to get bats out of your living space is with a bat valve, paired with a complete home exclusion. A bat valve is a one-way device: it lets bats exit your home, but blocks them from coming back inside. Since every home (and bat colony) is unique, our specialists will select or custom-build a bat valve specifically suited for your situation.
Once the bat valve is in place, we carefully seal all other potential entry points around your home, so the only way out for the bats is through the valve. This removal process typically takes anywhere from 3 to 7 days, giving the bats ample opportunity to leave on their own. When the process is complete, we perform a thorough attic inspection to ensure all bats have exited before removing the valve and sealing the final entry point. This leaves your home bat-free, and protected against future unwelcome guests.
How Long Does Bat Removal Take?
Once the removal process begins, you can generally expect it to be completed within about three to seven days. This timeframe allows the bats to safely exit your home through specialized devices, ensuring they can leave but not return. The exact duration may vary based on the size of the colony and the specific structure of your home, but our team is committed to resolving the issue efficiently and humanely.
In addition to removal services, we also offer comprehensive bat-proofing solutions to help prevent future infestations. This includes inspecting your home and sealing up any entry points that bats may be using to enter,
How Small of an Opening Can Bats Use?
It might surprise you just how little space a bat needs to find its way inside. These nimble creatures can wriggle through gaps as tiny as 3/8 of an inch wide—about the width of a dime. Even small cracks or openings around rooflines, vents, or soffits are big enough for bats to enter your home. That’s why it takes a trained eye to pinpoint and properly seal every potential entryway, no matter how minor it may seem. as well as installing preventative measures like mesh screens, roof vent guards and more.
If you have seen guano droppings (like mouse droppings, but slightly larger) in your home and suspect that you have unwanted guests, give us a call right away! Bat removal season starts in April and then because of Illinois law, we can’t do any removal from May through mid-August. This timing isn’t random—it’s designed to protect baby bats (called pups) while they’re still too young to fly. During this period, bats might be raising their young in your attic or walls, and removing them could leave helpless pups behind.
When Can Bat Exclusion Take Place?
- April to early May: Exclusion and removal can be performed as outdoor temperatures rise above 50°F at dusk—this is when insects, the bats’ main food source, become active.
- Mid-May through mid-August: No removal activities are allowed, to ensure young bats aren’t separated from their mothers.
- Mid-August through October: Once pups are able to fly, exclusion can resume, provided it's still warm enough at dusk for bats to forage.
If you discover a bat inside a living space (like a bedroom or living room), you can have it removed at any time of year—safety first! But for colonies in attics or other non-living spaces, we must stick to the seasonal guidelines to keep both you and the bats safe.
By following these state regulations, we make sure your home is protected while also keeping our local bat population healthy and thriving.
What to Do if You Find Bats in Your Attic This Winter
If you’ve discovered bats in your attic during the winter months in Illinois, the best course of action is patience. Bats typically spend winter in a state known as torpor—a deep sleep that conserves their energy until insects become plentiful again in spring. In Illinois, bats may choose caves and mines for this, but attics can sometimes serve as a substitute when natural options aren’t available.
Attempting to remove bats during winter is generally not advised. Evicting bats now means they’ll be exposed to harsh temperatures outside, with very little chance of finding another suitable place to wait out the cold. This could be fatal for the bats and is also against Illinois regulations protecting these important creatures.
Instead, hold off on any removal or exclusion efforts until spring, when the bats naturally become more active and can safely relocate. In the meantime, avoid disturbing their roost, and use this opportunity to plan for a thorough exclusion process once bat removal season begins in April. This ensures that your attic can be bat-free while keeping our local wildlife—and your household—safe and healthy. Get in touch today and you can rest easy knowing that your home is bat-free and protected from future infestations.
We are available 24 hours a day, so contact us anytime at 224-431-7956. And to make sure you rest easy; our work is guaranteed with a renewable one-year warranty after the work is completed. For daily tips and information on keeping your home wildlife free, visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.