Rabid Bats in LA & Orange County, Bat Removal & Exclusion Tips, and how Versa-Tech Can Help
It’s Halloween season, and bat encounters are more likely as cooler nights and earlier sunsets bring them closer to homes.”
As the nights grow cooler and darkness comes earlier, Halloween season brings more foot traffic, open windows, spooky decorations, and more outdoor gatherings. These conditions can inadvertently invite bats—or at least raise the odds of you noticing one. Whether it’s a bat swooping near a porch light, fluttering near a chimney, or accidentally making its way inside, the timing is ripe for encounters.
Given recent news about rabid bats in the region, it’s more important than ever for homeowners and businesses in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and surrounding areas to take bat prevention seriously.
Recent Rabid Bat Alerts in Southern California
Public health agencies have flagged a rise in rabid bat detections in Southern California in 2025:
According to CBS News reports, in Riverside County alone, 18 rabid bats have been confirmed so far this year—up from 15 in 2024 Officials note that two rabid bats have also been reported elsewhere in Los Angeles County and Orange County in recent months.
Although human cases remain extremely rare, any contact with a rabid animal is a serious health risk. Bats are among the most common carriers of rabies in California.
Because bat bites can go unnoticed (their teeth are very small), and symptoms of rabies may take time to appear, it’s critical to take precautions before a Halloween scare becomes a health scare.
How Bats Get Inside SoCal Homes & Businesses
Understanding how bats gain entry helps you block them out. Some common access points:
- Gaps in roof soffits, fascia, and eaves
- Loose or damaged vent covers, ridge vents, or gables
- Unsealed cracks around chimneys, flashing, and plumbing vents
- Broken or missing screens on windows, crawlspaces, attic vents
- Open doors or unscreened openings left for decoration, ventilation, or events
- Bats look for dark, sheltered voids to roost—attics, wall cavities, roof junctions, and chimneys are prime targets.
Bat Safety Tips: What You Can Do Tonight
Here’s a bat safety checklist you can share with homeowners and businesses:
Never touch or handle a bat.
Bats are wild animals and may carry rabies. Even a slight scratch or bite (which may not even be felt) can transmit the virus.
Seal up the house.
Inspect and close off gaps in rooflines, soffits, venting, chimneys, fascia, and around utility penetrations. Use mesh or exclusion devices that allow bats to exit (if present) but not reenter.
Install and maintain proper screens.
Use tight-fitting screens on attic vents, windows, crawlspaces, and other openings. Make sure doors or access panels close fully.
Be careful when awake to a bat indoors.
If you awaken to find a bat in your bedroom—do not try to chase or catch it with bare hands. Isolate the bat (close doors, open windows if safely possible), and call a professional for safe removal.
Protect your pets.
Ensure your pets are vaccinated for rabies and monitor them for any signs of illness if they may have contacted a bat.
If contact occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
Wash the area with soap and water and contact your doctor or local public health agency. Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
Report sick, injured, or dead bats.
Do not pick them up. Instead, notify local animal control or public health officials for testing and safe removal.
Why DIY Bat Removal Is Dangerous and Often Illegal
Many people attempt to “deal with” a bat issue themselves—using deterrents, traps, or irritants—but this is risky and often unlawful:
Some bat species are protected under state or federal laws, and killing or harming them can lead to penalties.
Bats may harbor diseases beyond rabies, including histoplasmosis (from their guano), which poses respiratory risks.
Improper exclusion can trap bats inside walls or attics, leading to noise, odor, damage, and health hazards.
Hazards of ladders, heights, tools, and dark confined spaces compound the risks.
Because of these dangers and legal complexities, you should always rely on a licensed, insured professional for bat removal and exclusion.
BAT REMOVAL & EXCLUSION SERVICES FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY & ORANGE COUNTY
How Versa-Tech’s Professional Bat Removal & Exclusion Works
At Versa-Tech Pest Management, we offer licensed and humane bat removal services for homes and businesses throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County. Here’s how our bat exclusion and control process typically works:
Comprehensive inspection & assessment
We inspect your roofline, attic, venting, chimney, and structural voids to locate entry points, roosting areas, and conditions conducive to bats.
Remote monitoring / preliminary measures
We may set up temporary monitoring devices or one-way exit devices, allowing bats to vacate roofs or attics overnight but preventing reentry.
Exclusion & sealing
Once we’re confident the bats have left, we seal the access points using durable materials, bat-proof mesh, flashing, and recommended construction practices.
Sanitization & cleanup
We remove guano, urine stains, insulation contamination, and pathogens. This step restores indoor air quality and ensures you’re not left with odor or health risks.
Follow-up inspection and warranty
We recheck after a period of time to confirm exclusion integrity, and we offer maintenance follow-ups as needed.
Bat prevention education & tips
We provide maintenance guidance to help you prevent future bat problems—inspecting annually, sealing new gaps, and maintaining proper ventilation and screening.
Versa-Tech emphasizes humane, legal, and safe bat exclusion—not extermination, so we respect wildlife regulations while protecting your property.
Every Versa-Tech bat removal service is unique and we customize your removal service to suit your needs. When it comes to bats, Versa-Tech is just a phone call away. Contact us today to get a free quote and get the right service options.