Ames homeowners deal with a wide range of seasonal pests, but bats tend to catch people off guard. You may hear scratching in the attic, notice staining near rooflines, or find droppings that don’t look like anything you’ve seen before.
Bats are common in central Iowa, and while they play an important role in controlling insects, they don’t belong inside your home. If you’re dealing with a bat issue, understanding what’s happening and what you can legally do about it is the first step.
Are Bats Protected in Story County?
Yes, bats are considered protected nongame wildlife in the entire state of Iowa. That means:
- It is generally illegal to harm or kill bats
- Special protections apply during certain times of the year
- Removal must follow humane and legal guidelines
There is one important exception: bats found inside a human-occupied building can be removed. However, how and when that removal happens still matters.
Did you know about bat maternity season?
If you live in Ames, timing is everything when it comes to bat removal. From June through mid-summer, bats enter maternity season. During this time:
- Mother bats give birth and raise their young
- Baby bats cannot fly yet
- Sealing entry points can trap pups inside
This is why professional bat removal often pauses during this period. Humane exclusion, letting bats leave but not return, can only happen once the young can fly.
Why Bats Choose Homes instead of their natural habitat
Bats are looking for safe, quiet places that mimic their natural habitats. Homes in Ames provide ideal conditions, especially in:
- Attics
- Wall voids
- Chimneys
- Rooflines and soffits
They typically enter through very small openings, sometimes as small as half an inch, along vents, fascia boards, or roof edges. If you would like to support bats, (just not in your house!,) here are some instructions on how to build a bat house.
Signs You May Have Bats in Your Home
Many homeowners don’t realize they have bats until the problem grows. Common signs include:
- Droppings (bat guano) near entry points or in attics
- A strong ammonia-like odor
- Scratching, squeaking, or fluttering sounds at night
- Dark or greasy marks along rooflines or siding
- Seeing a bat near your home at dusk
Guano buildup can stain surfaces and should be handled carefully due to potential health risks.
We often get asked, “Are bats dangerous?
Bats aren’t aggressive, but they do pose risks if they’re living in your home.
Health concerns include:
- Histoplasmosis from bat droppings
- Potential exposure to rabies
- Air quality issues from guano and urine buildup
There are also property concerns:
- Insulation contamination
- Odors that spread through the home
- Long-term damage to attic materials
What to Do If You Find a Bat Inside
If a bat gets into your living space, stay calm. Most bats are trying to get out, not stay in.
Here’s what to do:
- Close off interior doors to contain the bat
- Open a window or exterior door
- Turn off lights and give it time to leave
If the bat doesn’t leave:
- Wait for it to land
- Use a container and cardboard to safely release it outside
- Never handle a bat with bare hands
If there’s any chance of contact (especially with a sleeping person or child), the bat should be captured for testing instead of released. Click here to find testing locations in Iowa.
Why DIY Bat Removal Doesn’t Work
A single bat that happens to get into your house is not a big deal, but if you have reason to believe they are roosting in your home, that is a sign you need to contact a bat removal specialist. Many homeowners try sprays, lights, or sound devices to get rid of bats. These methods rarely work.
Bats:
- Quickly adapt to repellents
- Return to known roosting spots
- Ignore most store-bought deterrents
The only long-term solution is to create a way that allows bats to leave while sealing off entry points so they can’t return. Bats and Bugs
How Professional Bat Removal Works
A proper bat removal service in Ames typically includes:
Inspection
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- Identifying entry points, roosting areas, and signs of activity
- Humane Exclusion – Installing one-way devices so bats can leave safely
- ealing & Prevention – Closing all gaps to prevent re-entry
This approach protects both your home and the bats, while keeping you compliant with Iowa law.
Why Bats Matter (Even If They’re in the Wrong Place)
It’s easy to think of bats as pests, but they play a big role in the ecosystem.
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- They consume thousands of insects each night
- They help reduce mosquito populations
- Some species contribute to pollination and seed dispersal
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Because they reproduce slowly and face environmental threats, protecting them—while keeping them out of homes—is the goal.
When to Call for Bat Removal in Ames
Bats in Ames are common, but living with them inside your home shouldn’t be.
The key is to act early, understand the seasonal timing, and use the right removal approach. Humane exclusion not only solves the problem but also protects the role bats play in Iowa’s ecosystem.
If you suspect bats in your home, Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions has been providing removal in areas like Ames and Ankeny for over 25 years. We are locally owned and operated, understand state regulations, and can help with control of other pest issues as well! We are a resource for you if you have questions, and if you ask us to come out we will:
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- Provide a quote and inspection
- Assist with any immediate concerns that usually include removal, sealing and bat-proofing your living space.
- Setting up humane bat exclusion that does not harm the bats but does prevent them from being able to come back into your home.
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If scratching noises are keeping you up at night, or if you hear chattering in your attic, contact Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions for a free quote. We’ll confirm if there is a problem and provide guidance to help with the potential removal of bats and exclusion to keep them from coming back, including a yearly warranty coverage plan.