Capturing a bat
Did you know that of all wild animals with rabies, bats have caused the most human deaths in North America in recent decades?
The rabies virus can be transmitted through a bite, scratch, or if the eyes, mouth, or nose come into contact with secretions from an open wound of the animal.
It can also be transmitted if the person has a wound that comes into contact with the saliva of the infected bat. Once transmitted, the virus travels to the brain and reaches the nervous system, causing inevitable death.
We comply with the appropriate regulations, since several laws protect animals and require their relocation rather than extermination.
The biology of the bat
- 1 breeding period per year: Spring
- Flying mammal
- Number of gestation times: 50 to 60 days
- Birth of baby bats: June-July
- Number of bat cubs per litter: 1 to 4
- Weaning of babies: 3 weeks
- Life expectancy of bats: 15 to 20 years
- Nocturnal animal
Recognizing the bat problem
- Scratching in walls or ceilings mainly at sunset
- Noises in the chimney or ventilation hatch
- 1 to 2 cm long and irregularly shaped droppings in the attic or outside indicate the presence of bats
- Bat problem more common in winter
How to end bats for good
- Capture them manually with the help of specialized tools
- Find entry points and perform caulking and other work
- Decontaminate to remove all traces of odours so as not to attract another bat colony and to ensure that no harmful spores contaminate the air in your home
Bat response network in the South Shore
Bat colonies almost exclusively choose buildings with open frames and wood soffits. In Longueuil and the surrounding area, Old Longueuil is home to settlements that are sometimes a hundred years old in the attics of brick triplexes. In Brossard (sectors A to R), the roof junctions of houses from the 70s are the typical entry points for the big brown bat. The capture of bats on the South Shore follows the MFFP schedule with exclusion outside the calving period (mid-May to mid-August). In Boucherville and surrounding areas, the heritage houses of Old Boucherville produce a sustained volume of exclusion requests. Further east, service in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Haut-Richelieu mainly dealt with the stone buildings of Old Saint-Jean and the fort. In Saint-Hyacinthe and the agri-food sector, the heritage downtown around the cathedral concentrates active colonies.
Quebec bat species and legal protection status
Quebec has eight resident bat species, seven of which are now protected to varying degrees. Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) have been listed as Endangered by COSEWIC since 2014, primarily due to White-nose Syndrome (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) which has decimated more than 90% of populations since 2010. Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) is also designated. The Great Brown Myotis (Eptesicus fuscus), the species most commonly found in residential buildings in Quebec, is not designated but remains protected by the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife (LCMVF). Any exclusion from a colony is strictly supervised: no lethal intervention is allowed, mechanical exclusion is the only legal method, and it can only be carried out outside the calving period (mid-May to mid-August) to avoid isolating the young who are unable to fly.
Our exclusion protocol follows the guidelines of the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (MFFP) and the recommendations of Zoonosis Quebec. The first step is the identification of the species by direct observation or ultrasonic recording. The second step is the mapping of entry points by twilight observation (exit from the colonies at sunset). The third step is the installation of one-way valves at each active entry point, allowing bats to exit but not return. The cones remain in place for 5 to 7 days to completely empty the colony. The fourth step is the final sealing with 6 mm galvanized wire mesh and neutral silicone sealant. The fifth step is the decontamination of the attic due to the risk of histoplasmosis (see our decontamination service). Any exclusion carried out during the calving period is governed by Article 26 of the LCMVF.
Intervention schedule according to the biological cycle
| Period | Life | cyclePermitted | interventionRecommended action |
|---|---|---|---|
| April to mid-May | Coming out of hibernation, mating | Possible exclusion | Ideal window: before giving birth |
| Mid-May to mid-August | Calving, non-flying young | Recommended Diagnosis | and planning only |
| Mid-August to the end of September | Young ruffles, dispersal | Ideal exclusion | Cone placement, permanent sealing |
| October to November | Prehibernation, partial migration | Possible exclusion | Last window before frost |
| December to March | Lethargic hibernation | Avoided (lethal disturbance) | Passive inspection only |
Capture of bats: indicative costs 2026 and emergency procedure
In Quebec, a complete bat colony exclusion is based on an evaluation for a single-family home, including the twilight diagnosis, the placement of exclusion cones, the final sealing and the report to the MFFP if required. A triplex attic in an urban area (Plateau, Vieux-Longueuil, downtown Sherbrooke) varies depending on the case, due to the complexity of the soffits and open frames. The associated histoplasmosis decontamination represents an additional cost evaluated according to the surface area. For a solitary bat that accidentally enters the home, we offer an emergency capture service based on evaluation: the bat is delicately caught alive with a net, examined for signs of rabies (very rare in Quebec, 0.5% of specimens tested positive between 2015 and 2024), then released outside if healthy or sent for analysis if suspicious. A bite or suspicious contact must be reported immediately to Info-Santé 811: rabies in bats remains fatal without post-exposure prophylaxis.
Did you know?
In one hour a brown bat can capture up to 600 insects!
The largest species of bat is found in Malaysia and can weigh up to 2 lbs and can have a wingspan of 2 meters!
Bat exterminator on the South Shore of Montreal
Of course, not all bats are affected by rabies! But as soon as a bat (or several of them) is in your home, attic, garage or other building, contact a bat exterminator on the South Shore of Montreal. To get rid of the various pests, you can call a rodent exterminator.
Leave the building, attic or room where the bat is located immediately, so as not to expose yourself to potential danger.
Calling Nova Extermination will allow you to have the best bat extermination services on the South Shore of Montreal. We capture them and relocate them to the forest, far from your home.
The government is strict on this subject: exterminators cannot exterminate bats. They must capture them without harming them, and relocate them to their natural environment.
Our methods comply with the standards of the Ministry of the Environment. As a bat exterminator on the South Shore of Montreal with many years of experience in this area, we will first identify the circulation route or the location of the bats’ nest, and then set up capture cages with bait.
We then relocate the whole family together to the forest, far from the houses and the city.
We will also be able to decontaminate the attic and surfaces with which the bats may have been in contact. We will also give you instructions to prevent other bats from entering your house or buildings. We will also be able to caulk the entrances where they could slip.
Learn more about bats
Learning more about the pygmy bat will give you a better understanding of how dangerous it is. As a bat exterminator on the South Shore of Montreal, we know how to locate and catch this animal safely. We know its reactions well and what baits, traps and methods to use to capture a bat, we make sure not to hurt them, as some of them are protected species.
Here is some useful information about bats:
An exterminator on the South Shore of Montreal must know the habits of these animals to better get rid of bats quickly and safely.
Contact us for more information
Calling on a bat exterminator on the South Shore of Montreal will allow you to capture and relocate bats in their natural environment. Our company holds all the necessary permits, licenses and insurance to capture one or many bats.
In addition, we have a license from the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ: 5734-75930-01) as well as from the CNESST to carry out caulking work. We are also protected by comprehensive liability insurance.
Contact us to benefit from the services of a bat exterminator on the South Shore of Montreal, to capture the bat and relocate it to the forest. 514-666-6682
Frequently Asked Questions: Bats
How do I know if bats are installed in my attic?
Typical clues are comings and goings at dusk around a gable or soffit, dark, greasy spots around an entry point, and guano (feces) that accumulates under the roosting site. Guano looks like small black granules and smells like ammonia when it accumulates. You can also hear slight scratching or squeaking in the walls or attic at dusk.
Is there a legal period to be respected before excluding bats?
Yes, bats are protected species and they raise their young during the summer, a time when the young are not yet flying; To proceed with the exclusion at this time would wall up the little ones. For this reason, the exclusion is generally postponed outside the maternity period, which is often carried out in late summer or early fall, and then completed as needed in the spring. Our technician plans the intervention in accordance with these postponement constraints.
What is a bat exclusion?
Exclusion involves installing one-way devices at entry points, which let bats out to feed but prevent them from returning, without trapping or injuring the animal. Once the colony is out, we permanently seal all the openings and weak points of the building. This respectful method is the only one that is truly effective and compliant for a protected species.
Is bat guano dangerous to health?
Yes, the buildup of guano can promote a fungus that causes a lung infection, histoplasmosis, and cleaning requires proper precautions. In addition, any direct contact with a bat carries a risk related to rabies, hence the importance of never handling it with bare hands. In Beloeil or Saint-Hyacinthe, a professional manages the removal and cleaning in a safe manner.
How much does it cost to exclude bats on the South Shore?
The price is based on evaluation, depending on the size of the colony, the number of entry points, the complexity and height of the building as well as the cleaning of the guano required. A single access on a low house is not comparable to several entrances on a high building. After inspection, we give you an estimate taking into account the period constraints.
Do you guarantee that the bats will not come back?
We aim for a sustainable result on a case-by-case basis: an exclusion carried out outside the maternity period, followed by a complete sealing, effectively prevents the colony from re-entering the building. Since these animals detect the slightest openings, the quality of the sealing of all cracks is decisive for the result. We honestly tell you what to look out for to avoid further colonization.