Bat Control-Don’t Get Scammed

I am blessed with the opportunity to learn about wildlife control activities around the US, and even some parts of the world. Recently, I learned about a business practice in the wildlife control industry that I found troubling.

These individuals had bat infestations/problems and were told by the pest control operator/wildlife control operator that there was no guarantee that the bat problem would be resolved if the client hired them. Unfortunately, one of the people actually signed a contract explicitly stating this and paid out more than 1,000 dollars. I felt sorry for a customer who paid good money for a service that she/he knew would not necessarily solve the problem and given the phone call I received, clearly didn’t.

Warning

I would strongly suggest that customers avoid signing any contract for control of a bat infestation (i.e. bats are actively living INSIDE the structure) that fails to guarantee eviction of the bats.  While there are a FEW instances where a wildlife control operator or pest control operator can’t guarantee eviction (such as when the structure is so porous the cost to make repairs is prohibitively high, certain kinds of slate/tile roofs and a few others) these situations are EXTREMELY RARE.

Any service technician telling you that the bat colony cannot be eliminated should be able to provide detailed reasons why it cannot be done. If he/she cannot or doesn’t, I suggest contacting another company. Buyer beware. The wildlife control industry is NOT WELL REGULATED. Think carefully before you sign on the dotted line.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a Certified Wildlife Control Operator (CWCP®) who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest books are the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition and The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats. He can be contacted at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot com.
If you would like your publication, video, or product reviewed, please contact the author at the e-mail above.

Copyright

All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.