Do you know how much a full attic restoration job can cost after a colony of bats has been removed?
$5,000?
$10,000?
$20,000?



What if we were to tell you that attic restoration can cost all of the above, and maybe more? It all depends on how long the problem was left before you did anything about it, the type of damage that has been caused, and who you get in to do the job. In the worst of cases, you may need more than one contractor, such as, an electrician, a plumber, a roof tiler, etc. The fact of the matter is this: many homeowners do not do a complete job when they get rid of bats in the attic, which includes the complete and entire restoration of that space. This will involve not just removing the animals, but also any biological matter that has been left behind. This might be urine or guano (bat droppings), alongside dead bats, young bats, and perhaps even other animals that have been attracted by all the commotion. Rats are scavengers and will happily devour a dead bat if given the opportunity. Food attracts food.

Biological matter could be invisible, such as is the case with disease spores, including Histoplasmosis and the rabies virus. Without strong, biological enzyme cleaners, the material might not be washed away properly or thoroughly enough, just enough left behind to attract them in again. You'll also still have that disease threat to worry about, and we're sure you don't want us to remind you of the medical bills you may need to face, alongside the cost of an extensive attic restoration job.

But what about homeowners insurance? That'll cover me for attic restoration after a bat infestation, right?
Well, yes, sometimes … But not always. If you knew about the problem for a really long time but chose to do nothing about it, the extensive damage could technically be classed as your fault. The insurance company will probably send someone out (an adjuster) to check out the damage that has been caused by the bats, and they will know by the extent of the damage how long it has been there for … and whether or not you would have been able to tell. If there was a lot of bat guano on the path that leads right to your front door, for example, it would be unreasonable to think that you wouldn't have seen it as you walked past. Birds, bats, and raccoons are three animals that you ARE usually covered by, with your homeowners insurance, but other animals, particularly rodents, are usually not covered. You will find information in your policy that goes by the name of “vermin clause” or “rodent clause”. These are (usually) preventable problems. Rats only come to a building when they are attracted there, such as when you leave garbage right outside the back door for days or weeks on end.

If you don't know what is covered under your homeowners insurance, we definitely recommend pulling out the paperwork and giving it a good ol' read. You could always get in touch with the policy provider and ask them outright too.

Go back to the Bat Removal home page or email us for more info about The Truth about Bats, Bat Damage & Your Homeowners Insurance