Barrie bat removal experts
Bat removal in Barrie, Ontario, done humanely:
- Inspection of the home or cottage for bats
- Bat removal from attics, chimneys, and wall cavities
- Bat-proofing the structure (sealing every secondary entry point)
- One-way exclusion devices at active entry points
- Attic decontamination and clean-up after the colony has left
Bats in Barrie — what’s specific to this area
Barrie sits on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, and the older neighbourhoods around Allandale, Painswick, and Letitia Heights tend to be where we run the most bat jobs. The architecture story is familiar: 1960s–1980s single-family homes with cedar-shake or asphalt roofs, wood soffits, gable vents that have weathered for forty years, and lots of mature tree cover near the roofline. That’s prime little-brown-bat and big-brown-bat territory.
Cottages and lakeshore properties along Big Bay Point and Kempenfelt Bay add their own twist — seasonal homes that sit closed-up much of the year give bats an undisturbed roost, and we often find colonies that have been there several seasons before the owner notices. From the Lake Simcoe shoreline up through Oro-Medonte, we serve the whole greater Barrie area.
Why choose The Critter Guy for bat removal in Barrie?
We focus on getting the job done without overcomplicating it: fair pricing, honest work, and workmanship we stand behind. We’ve done many jobs in and around Barrie.
- Family-owned — Dave and Roman on every job
- 18+ years of bat removal experience
- Seasonal timing matters
Contact us for a bat quote in Barrie or call 519-783-1575.
Our Barrie bat removal approach
Humane bat exclusion done the right way:
- Inspect. We walk the property, find the active entry, and note every secondary access point.
- Time the work. Bat work follows seasonal timing. We book the inspection now and schedule the actual exclusion for the right season so the whole colony — adults and pups — exits together.
- One-way exclusion devices. Installed over the active entries. Bats can leave but cannot return. No bait, no traps, no contact.
- Seal and clean. Once the colony is out, we seal every entry point with weather- and chew-resistant materials and clean up guano accumulation in the attic.
How exclusion devices actually work
Exclusion devices (one-way valves) are the standard humane method for bat removal. They’re installed over the active entry hole and let bats leave at dusk to feed but block them from re-entering at dawn. After 5–10 nights with no return activity, we confirm the roost is empty and remove the device.
A few things that matter for these to work:
- They have to be sized for the entry. Too small and bats get stuck; too large and re-entry happens.
- Seasonal timing matters. The work has to be done at the right time of year so pups aren’t separated from the colony.
- Every secondary entry point has to be sealed first, or bats just shift to a different opening.
Bat-proofing your Barrie home
Once the colony is out, sealing is what makes the exclusion permanent. We check for:
- Soffit and fascia gaps, especially at corners and where two roof planes meet
- Gable vents with damaged screens
- Ridge caps that have lifted with age
- Chimney flashing with rust or pulled-away sealant
- Plumbing-stack penetrations and other roof intrusions
All gaps get sealed with heavy-gauge mesh, metal flashing, and weatherproof sealant.
What happens after bat removal
After the colony has left, the attic still needs attention:
- Guano clean-up. Old guano can carry histoplasmosis spores. For larger colonies we use proper PPE, vacuum the area, and bag waste for disposal.
- Sanitation. The roost area is treated with an enzyme-based cleaner that neutralizes residual odor.
- Insulation assessment. Heavy contamination sometimes requires insulation removal and replacement; we quote that separately if needed.
- Final inspection. Once cleaning is done, we walk the structure with you and confirm everything is sealed.
Customer reviews — Barrie and surrounding area
“Dave and the crew did not waste a minute of our time. They assessed the situation quickly, provided a few options, and got the bats removed and the house secured. Five stars!” — Shona Jones
“We had been seeing lots of bats around the property and gave Dave a call. He arrived quickly, found the bat droppings, showed us where they were most likely entering, and was able to humanely remove them all.” — Evan Montgomery
FAQs about bat removal in Barrie
What does bat removal in Barrie cost?
It depends on the size of the colony, the access (single-storey vs. steep multipitch roof), and whether attic clean-up or insulation work is part of the job. Most residential bat exclusions land between $400 and $1,500, with larger colonies and bigger clean-ups going higher. We always provide a written quote.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We hold the Wildlife Damage and Nuisance Control authorization from the Province of Ontario, and we carry commercial general liability insurance.
How does bat removal actually work?
We use one-way exclusion devices (one-way valves) installed over the active entry. Bats fly out to feed at dusk, can’t get back in, and find a new roost. We never use bait or traps — bats are insectivores and there’s no humane way to bait-trap them. After exclusion, we seal every secondary entry and clean up the roost area.
When can you do bat work in Barrie?
We can inspect any time. We can do emergency response (a single bat in the living space, a bite scare) any time. Colony exclusion follows seasonal timing.
What should I expect during a bat removal service?
We come out, inspect the structure, write a quote, schedule the exclusion at the right time of year, install one-way devices, monitor for activity over 5–10 nights, confirm the roost is empty, then seal, clean, and walk you through the work.
Are bats dangerous?
Bats play an important ecological role and are mostly harmless. The real concerns are guano in the attic (which can harbour Histoplasma capsulatum spores) and the small percentage of bats that test positive for rabies. Never handle a bat with bare hands, and if you wake up to a bat in your room, contact Public Health Ontario for guidance.
Types of bats found around Barrie
The most common in the Barrie area is the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), a small vesper-family species that roosts in trees, buildings, and attics. Also present: the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), which is larger and more commonly found in colonies inside structures; and the hoary and silver-haired bats, both more often found in forested areas and tree cavities.
Several Ontario bat species — including the little brown bat — have been hit hard by white-nose syndrome and are designated at-risk. This is part of why exclusion (rather than killing) is the right approach.
Bat health concerns
- Parasites, ticks, and mites. Bats commonly carry parasites that can invade structures where they roost.
- Histoplasmosis: a respiratory infection caused by spores in bat guano. Risk rises with fresh guano in confined attic spaces.
- Rabies: a small percentage of tested bats are positive. Never handle a bat with bare hands. More about bats and rabies →
Signs you have bats in your Barrie home
Bat droppings (guano)
Look at the eaves, around roof entry points, on decks and porches, and on windowsills. Older guano accumulations sometimes produce an ammonia-like smell that permeates wall cavities.
Sightings at dusk and dawn
Bats are active mainly at night. If you see one or two emerging from the same spot on your roof at dusk, or returning at dawn, that’s almost certainly your colony’s entry point.
Chirping noises
Bats communicate with chirps audible to humans. Hearing high-pitched chirping at dusk, dawn, or in the night is a strong sign of a colony.
Stains around entry points
Bats secrete oils from their skin that leave a brown, greasy stain around the entry hole. Squirrels and raccoons don’t leave the same signature — this one’s distinctively bat.
Scratching in the walls or ceiling
Bats moving around inside a wall or attic produce scratching and scurrying sounds, often loudest at dawn and dusk.
Service area around Barrie
We serve Barrie and surrounding Simcoe County, including:
Simcoe County: Barrie · Innisfil · Orillia · Oro-Medonte · Bradford · Alliston · Stayner · Elmvale · Coldwater · Wasaga Beach · Collingwood · Midland · Penetanguishene
Other Ontario service area:
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