A homeowner-friendly guide to humane, legal exclusion in Iowa

Bats are an important part of Iowa’s ecosystem, and many species have learned to roost in human structures. You don’t need to share your living space with them to be a bat ally, but you can approach removal in a humane, legal, and effective way. Here are ten key things every Iowa homeowner should know before taking action.

1. Big Brown Bats Are the Main Culprit

In Iowa, big brown bats are the species most likely to spend both summer and winter inside buildings. Little brown bats and northern long-eared bats may also use buildings in warmer months, but big browns are the ones you’ll most often find year-round.

 

2. You Don’t Have to “Host” Bats Indoors to Support Them

Being bat-friendly doesn’t mean keeping them in your attic. Ethical removal and proper exclusion keep them out of your home while still protecting the species. Once exclusion is complete, putting up a bat house is a great way to give them a safer alternative.

3. Exclusion Is the Only Effective Control

Iowa law protects bats. Repellents, mothballs, and plug-in sonic devices simply don’t work. The only proven method is exclusion; letting bats leave and preventing them from getting back in.

4. Timing Matters: Start After August 1

Bats give birth in early summer. Young bats cannot fly until later in the season. If you seal an entry typically between mid-June and August, you risk trapping flightless young inside, which leads to odors, indoor sightings, and bigger problems. August and September offer the safest window.

5. Bats Follow Air Currents, Not Just Openings

Bats move toward temperature differences in a home. A warm attic and a cooler bedroom connected by a small gap create airflow, and bats follow it. Effective exclusion blocks these air pathways, not just visible holes.

6. You Can Find Entry Points at Dusk

Just before sunset, sit outside and watch where bats emerge. Look around chimneys, gable vents, soffits, gutters, torn shingles, and any hole the size of your thumb. Many homes have multiple entry points.

7. One-Way Doors Are the Heart of Exclusion

A simple one-way door, made from mesh, screen, cloth, or even a cut-off sock, lets bats crawl out but prevents them from reentering. Leave it in place for 4–7 days to ensure all bats exit before repairs.

8. Seal All Openings Once the Bats Are Out

Use foam, fine wire mesh, new boards, or soffit repairs to close every gap. Even small cracks can create airflow that attracts bats. This step prevents future colonies from returning.

9. Iowa’s Bat Species Face Serious Challenges

White-nose Syndrome is affecting multiple species statewide, including little browns, big browns, tri-colored bats, and the federally endangered Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat. Ethical exclusion supports conservation by preventing unnecessary harm.

10. Bats Play a Huge Role in Pest Control

All Iowa bats are insect eaters. Many specialize in beetles and moths, and one study estimated bats save Midwest farmers more than a billion dollars a year in natural pest control. We want them outdoors, eating insects, not inside walls and rafters.

Final Thoughts

Bats are valuable, protected wildlife, but they don’t belong inside your home.  If you’re noticing signs of bats or aren’t sure where they’re getting in, reach out to Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions. We provide humane, legal exclusion services that keep bats protected and your home secure. Call 515-218-3400 to schedule an inspection.