In the Know: Colorado Bat Insights

Understanding Bat Behavior and Removal in Durango

Bats are both fascinating and essential creatures in Colorado’s ecosystem, but when they choose your attic as their home, they can become a serious health and property hazard. In Durango and the Four Corners region, bat encounters are especially common during late spring and early fall.

Are Bats Really Blind? Busting the Myths

• Myth: Bats are blind.
  Fact: Bats have excellent vision and also use echolocation for precision navigation in total darkness.
• Myth: Bats are flying rodents.
  Fact: Bats are mammals with unique adaptations. They are more closely related to primates than to rodents.
• Myth: All bats are bloodsuckers.
  Fact: Most bat species are insectivores, and some feed on fruit or nectar. Vampire bats do exist—but not in Colorado.
• Myth: If you have one bat, you probably have hundreds.
  Fact: Small groups can cause noticeable issues, but not all sightings mean infestation.

Why Bat Infestations Are a Health Concern

Bat guano can harbor fungal spores that cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory disease that can become severe if left untreated. The accumulation of droppings can also degrade insulation, corrode building materials, and contribute to lingering odors. Bats also carry ectoparasites such as mites and bat bugs, which may spread to other parts of the home.

Exclusion Timing: Avoiding Harm to Bat Colonies

In Colorado, it is illegal to disturb or evict a bat colony during their maternity season (May–August). Doing so risks trapping baby bats inside, where they die, decompose, and create additional health risks. The ethical and legal approach is to perform exclusions only in early spring or late summer/fall, once young bats are capable of flight.

Durango Pest Removal uses humane one-way doors that allow bats to exit but block their return. After monitoring the site for full evacuation, we seal the entry points and sanitize the area thoroughly. This not only complies with wildlife laws—it protects your family from serious health hazards.

Common Bat Entry Points Around Homes

• Gaps between fascia and soffits
• Uncovered vents or attic louvres
• Open chimneys without caps
• Loose flashing around rooflines
• Gaps under shingles or roof overhangs

What to Watch and Listen For

• Scratching or fluttering sounds in walls or ceiling just after sunset
• Strong musty or ammonia-like odor
• Stains near roofline or small brown smudges at entry points
• Droppings that resemble mouse feces, but crumble into powder (guano)
• Bat sightings around dusk repeatedly in the same area

Why Hire Durango Pest Removal

• We’re trained in humane bat eviction and exclusion techniques
• We know Colorado’s seasonal laws and follow best practices for timing
• We provide full attic inspection, sealing, cleanup, and prevention
• We use safe, effective enzyme treatments to sanitize bat-contaminated spaces
• We help educate homeowners to prevent future problems with light, sound, and scent deterrents

If you think you have a bat colony roosting in your home or outbuildings, contact Durango Pest Removal today to schedule a professional inspection and get peace of mind.