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Humane Bird & Bat Exclusion

Bay Area From $400 Legal Exclusion State Licensed
4.3 ★★★★ 240+ Google Reviews
4.5 ★★★★ 80+ Yelp Reviews
Diamond Certified Since 2009

Why Act Now?

Droppings corrode surfaces, nests block vents, and colonies grow fast without intervention.

Assessment-Based Pest Management — Fully compliant humane methods.

Problems They Cause

Droppings

Acidic droppings damage paint, metal, and masonry.

Nesting

Nests clog gutters, vents, and chimneys.

Noise

Bird calls and bat squeaking disturb sleep.

Disease

Carry parasites, mites, and pathogens affecting humans and pets.

Damage

Pecking and gnawing damage insulation, wiring, and structures.

Contamination

Contaminate food processing and storage areas.

Species We Handle

Pigeons

Most common urban pest bird; highly adaptable.

Sparrows

Nest in building cavities and vents.

Starlings

Form massive flocks; droppings create hazards.

Swallows

Protected species; build mud nests on buildings.

Woodpeckers

Drill holes in siding; federally protected.

Crows & Gulls

Large birds causing significant mess and noise.

Mexican Free-tailed

Most common California bat; colonies in attics.

Big Brown Bat

Prefers buildings; active in cold weather.

Little Brown Bat

Hibernates in structures during winter.

Pallid Bat

Roosts in rock crevices and buildings.

Identify Your Pest

Pigeon #1 Caller
Pigeon #1 Caller
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Pigeon

How to spot 11–13″, gray with iridescent neck feathers and a white rump patch — leaves chalky, corrosive droppings that damage paint and metal.
Where found Ledges, signs, HVAC units, rooftops, and under solar panels — roosts year-round; 10 lbs of droppings per bird per year.
Eats Seeds, grain, and scraps — forages 365 days a year; the year-round pest control challenge for Bay Area businesses.
House Sparrow
House Sparrow
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House Sparrow

How to spot 6″, males have brown-gray plumage with black bib, females plain tan — chatters constantly; aggressive toward native birds.
Where found Dryer vents, sign cavities, eaves, and open building rafters — nests block ventilation and create fire risks.
Eats Seeds, grain, insects in spring, and table scraps — a year-round urban resident and a non-native invasive species.
Starling
Starling
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Starling

How to spot 8″, dark with iridescent purple-green sheen, yellow bill in summer — often spotted in massive murmuration flocks at dusk.
Where found Building voids, attic access points, and roof overhangs — roosts in thousands creating noise and mess.
Eats Insects, berries, garbage, and grain — forages aggressively and displaces protected native cavity-nesting species.
Woodpecker Federally Protected
Woodpecker Federally Protected
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Woodpecker

How to spot 7–15″, black-white with red cap — identified by loud repetitive drumming on siding, fascia, or trim at dawn.
Where found Cedar and redwood siding, fascia boards, utility poles — protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; deterrence only.
Eats Carpenter bees, ants, and beetle larvae inside wood — drills to hunt or establish territory by drumming on resonant surfaces.
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat State Protected
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat State Protected
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Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

How to spot 3.5″ body, brown, tail extending past the membrane, thin pointed wings — fast erratic flight at dusk; world’s fastest bat at 100 mph.
Where found Attic ridge lines, chimney caps, wall voids, and window shutters — can roost in colonies of thousands.
Eats Moths, beetles, and flying insects — eats 2/3 of its body weight in insects nightly; exclusion only, never extermination.
Big Brown Bat
Big Brown Bat
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Big Brown Bat

How to spot 4–5″ body, glossy dark brown, larger than the free-tailed bat — the most common bat found roosting inside Bay Area homes.
Where found Attics, behind shutters, and inside wall voids — remains active even in cool weather when other bats have gone dormant.
Eats Beetles, wasps, flying ants, and moths — provides major insect control; protected by law; exclusion is the only legal option.
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Prepare for Your Appointment

1

Note Entry & Exit Points

Observe where birds or bats enter and exit your home. This helps your technician plan the exclusion strategy.

2

Document Peak Activity Times

Record when you see the most activity — dawn, dusk, or overnight. This tells your technician when animals are coming and going.

3

Clear Attic & Storage Access

Ensure your technician can easily reach the attic, crawl space, or storage areas where nesting may be occurring.

4

Photograph Droppings & Nesting

Take photos of droppings, nesting material, or damage. This helps your technician assess the situation before arrival.

5

Don't Block Entry Points

Don't seal holes yourself — animals may get trapped inside, causing odor and health problems. Let your technician handle exclusion.

6

Keep Children & Pets Away

Keep children and pets away from contaminated areas until your technician can assess and address the situation.

Your technician will guide you on arrival.
DID YOU KNOW?

What to Know About Birds & Bats

Tap a card to learn what it means for your home — and what ATCO does about it.

10 lbs
Droppings per pigeon per year
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THE REAL TALK

Pigeon droppings are corrosive to metal, HVAC systems, and building facades — and carry histoplasmosis and cryptococcus. 10 birds = 100 lbs.

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100 mph
Mexican free-tailed bat flight speed
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THE REAL TALK

The world's fastest bat is also fully protected by California law. Exclusion is the only legal option — no extermination, ever.

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80,000
Bees in a structural honeybee hive
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THE REAL TALK

A wall cavity honeybee colony holds 80,000 bees and 100+ lbs of wax and honey. ATCO coordinates with licensed beekeepers for responsible relocation.

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Body weight in insects eaten nightly per bat
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THE REAL TALK

One big brown bat eats ⅔ of its body weight in beetles and moths every night — protecting your garden and crops. Exclusion only, never extermination.

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0
Legal options for harming bats or woodpeckers
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THE REAL TALK

Bats and woodpeckers are legally protected species. ATCO uses professional exclusion devices installed by licensed specialists — fully legal.

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Same day
Bird and bat inspection available
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THE REAL TALK

Bird nests in vents cause fires; bat guano accumulates fast. Call ATCO for same-day assessment before the problem compounds.

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How We Work Every ATCO treatment follows our Detect · Inspect · Recommend · Treat process. Learn how it works

Did You Know?

Signs of Bird or Bat Activity

Watch for droppings accumulating on ledges, windowsills, or around your roofline. Scratching or squeaking sounds in the attic at dusk signal bats, while nesting materials in vents, gutters, or eaves indicate birds have moved in.

What Attracts Them to Your Property

Birds and bats seek sheltered roosting spots like eaves, attics, and chimneys. Unsealed vents and gaps in the roofline provide easy access. Nearby food sources such as open trash, pet food, fruit trees, and standing water make your property even more appealing.

Health & Property Risks

Bird and bat droppings are acidic and corrode paint, metal, and masonry. Accumulated guano can harbor histoplasmosis spores, a serious respiratory concern. Nests block ventilation, create fire hazards, and attract secondary pests like mites and beetles.

When to Call a Pro

Contact a professional if you have bats in your living space, a large colony in the attic, or birds nesting in vents or chimneys. Many species are legally protected, and improper removal can result in fines or harm to the animals. Humane exclusion requires proper timing and technique.

Seasonal Patterns

Birds nest most actively in spring and early summer. Bat maternity season runs from about May through August, when exclusion should be avoided to protect flightless pups. Fall and winter are ideal times for sealing entry points before the next breeding cycle begins.

Prevention Tips

Seal gaps along rooflines, eaves, and vents with hardware cloth or mesh. Install vent covers and chimney caps. Remove old nests after the season ends, keep trash secured, and trim tree branches that overhang your roof to reduce roosting opportunities.

What You Can Do

Seal Entry Points

Inspect rooflines, eaves, and vents for gaps. Cover openings with hardware cloth or mesh to block nesting access.

Remove Old Nests

After birds leave for the season, remove old nests from ledges and eaves to discourage return visits.

Use Visual Deterrents

Reflective tape, predator decoys, and motion-activated lights deter birds from roosting on your property.

Secure Food Sources

Keep trash sealed, clean up pet food, and use bird feeder baffles to feed songbirds without attracting pests.

Clean Droppings Promptly

Droppings are acidic and corrode paint, metal, and masonry. Clean roosting areas regularly with gloves and a mask.

Install Bat Houses Nearby

A bat house on a nearby tree gives bats an alternative roost after exclusion — keeping them around to eat mosquitoes without living in your attic.

What to Avoid

Don't Disturb Active Nests

Many species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Removing active nests with eggs or chicks can result in federal fines.

Don't Trap or Harm Bats

Bats are protected in California. Trapping, poisoning, or harming them is illegal. Use humane exclusion during the proper season.

Don't Seal While Animals Are Inside

Sealing holes with bats or birds still inside traps them in your walls — causing odor and health hazards.

Don't Clean Without Protection

Droppings can carry histoplasmosis and other pathogens. Always wear gloves, a mask, and dampen droppings before cleaning.

Our Humane Approach

1

Inspect

Identify species, entry points, and infestation extent.

2

Exclude

Install one-way doors and exclusion netting.

3

Seal

Close all entry points after animals depart.

4

Clean

Remove droppings, sanitize, and repair damage.

Humane & Legal Methods

Exclusion methods fully compliant with federal and state wildlife regulations.

Legal Compliance
Assessment-Based Pest Management
Bat-Friendly
No-Kill Methods
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What Your Neighbors Are Saying

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Common Questions

Bird & Bat Control — Questions Answered

What California homeowners search for most about nuisance bird and bat removal.

One-way exclusion devices installed over entry points — bats leave to feed at dusk and can't re-enter. This is the only legal and humane method. It must be done outside the April–August maternity season, when pups can't fly. Schedule a bat exclusion consultation →
Yes — all bat species. It is illegal to kill them, harm them, or disturb a maternity colony April through August. Exclusion work must happen September through March. ATCO can inspect anytime and plan ahead. Schedule a bat inspection & exclusion plan →
Bats are the primary rabies source in the US. If you've been in a room with a bat — even while sleeping — seek medical evaluation. Bat bites are often imperceptible. Guano also harbors Histoplasma fungal spores. Schedule bat guano cleanup & exclusion →
September 1 through March 31 — outside the maternity season. Excluding during April–August would trap flightless pups inside the structure, which is both illegal and inhumane. Schedule a bat inspection →
Physical exclusion only: bird netting, spike systems, or shock track. Scare devices (plastic owls, noise makers) stop working within days because birds habituate fast. ATCO installs permanent physical solutions that last for years. Schedule a pigeon deterrent consultation →
Yes. At pH 3–4.5, pigeon droppings corrode metal flashing, eat through tar roofing, and stain concrete permanently. Commercial buildings routinely face tens of thousands in roof repair and cleanup costs from uncontrolled pigeon populations. Schedule a bird deterrent consultation →
Physical barriers that make landing and nesting impossible — netting, spike systems, coil systems, or electric shock track. Temporary deterrents require constant replacement and don't work long-term. Get a permanent bird deterrent estimate →
Almost none — most birds including pigeons and crows are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. ATCO uses deterrence, exclusion, and habitat modification only. No harming, trapping, or relocating birds. Schedule a legal bird deterrent assessment →

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