Des Moines, Iowa Bat Protection and Your Home

What to Know If You Find Bats in Your Attic in June

Discovering bats in your attic can be unsettling, especially in early summer when activity increases. If you call us in June for bat removal in Des Moines, we’re always happy to provide an inspection and quote, but it’s important to know upfront that removal itself is typically delayed during this time of year.

Why Bat Removal Pauses in June

June marks peak bat maternity season in Iowa.Bat pups are born hairless, blind, and unable to fly. For the first several weeks of life, they rely entirely on their mothers for

warmth and nursing.

Because pups cannot fly for roughly six to eight weeks, standard bat exclusion methods can cause serious harm if used too early. One-way doors or exclusion devices would allow adult bats to exit, but would trap pups inside, leading to starvation, death, and decomposing animals inside walls or attic spaces.

For this reason, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources restricts bat exclusion during maternity season, typically starting June 1 and lasting into mid- or late summer. These protections apply statewide, not just in Des Moines.

A quick bat fact while we’re here: bats are the only mammals capable of true flight and yes, that also means they have belly buttons.

What You Can Do During Bat Maternity Season

Finding bats in June doesn’t mean you’re stuck or helpless. It just means the approach shifts from removal to management and prevention.

• Stay calm. Bats are not aggressive and typically want to avoid human contact.
• Appreciate the benefits. Bats eat large numbers of mosquitoes and other insects each night.
• Seal off living spaces. While we can’t exclude bats from the attic yet, we can help identify and seal gaps that allow bats to enter your living areas, such as wall voids or interior openings.
• Avoid disturbing the roost. Trying to force bats out too early can cause panic and unintended problems inside the home.

Once the pups are old enough to fly and maternity season ends, humane exclusion can resume safely.

Humane and Effective Bat Control After Pup Season

When the timing is right, the most effective and humane method of bat control is professional exclusion. This process protects bats while permanently solving the problem for homeowners.

Humane bat exclusion involves installing one-way devices at active entry points. These allow bats to leave the structure naturally at dusk but prevent them from re-entering. Once all bats have exited, those entry points are sealed, along with any additional gaps along rooflines, soffits, vents, or fascia.

This approach avoids harm, complies with Iowa regulations, and prevents future infestations. In some cases, homeowners choose to install bat houses away from the home to provide an alternative roosting site once exclusion is complete.

How Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions Can Help

Even during maternity season, we’re still a resource for Des Moines-area homeowners. We can:

• Provide a quote and inspection, so you’re prepared when exclusion is allowed.
• Offer guidance on temporary sealing and bat-proofing your living space.
• Schedule follow-up service for legal, humane bat exclusion later in the summer, typically by mid-July we receive the lift.

These protections apply everywhere in Iowa—from Des Moines to Adel, Urbandale, and surrounding communities. Attempting to remove bats during maternity season often leads to bigger problems, including bats entering living spaces or pups being hidden inside walls or insulation.

Sometimes the safest and smartest option is to give it a little time.

By understanding bat life cycles and Iowa’s regulations, homeowners can protect their property while allowing these important animals to raise their young safely. When the season is right, we’ll be ready to help you take the next step; humanely, legally, and effectively.

Slow motion video of Bats at Maquoketa Caves State Park