Bat Removal in Altoona PA — Blair County Bat Exclusion

Altoona is one of central Pennsylvania's highest-density bat-infestation cities, and there is a direct reason for it: the railroad. The Pennsylvania Railroad boom of the 1850s through 1930s built thousands of Victorian, Queen Anne, and early 20th century worker homes throughout the Fairview, Juniata, and Logan neighborhoods. As those homes age, they become textbook bat habitat — brick chimneys with open mortar joints, wood fascia separating from the roofline, soffit returns that have never been properly sealed. The Allegheny Front ridge five miles west is a major wildlife corridor. Every summer, Big Brown Bats move from those mountain roosts into residential Altoona.

Bat exclusion in Blair County is the core of what we do, performed by PA Game Commission licensed Wildlife Control Operators. Exclusion-first, sealed permanently, done right.

Call to get on the schedule: (814) 800-3215

Why Altoona Has a Bat Problem

Big Brown Bats are now the dominant species in Blair County. White-nose Syndrome, a fungal disease, has killed over 90% of Pennsylvania's Little Brown Bat population since 2008 — one of the worst wildlife disasters in North American history. The PA Game Commission and federal partners are deeply invested in bat conservation as a result. Big Brown Bats, more resistant to White-nose Syndrome, now fill the niche. They are year-round residents, returning to the same roost sites every spring.

The housing stock tells the rest of the story. A Victorian home near Horseshoe Curve Road or off 17th Street in Fairview might have had bats in the attic for 30 to 50 years. Previous owners may not have known, or may have had incomplete exclusion work done. Each summer the colony grows. Each summer more guano accumulates.

Common Bat Entry Points in Altoona's Older Homes

Brick chimney mortar gaps — aging mortar joints open to 3/8 inch or more
Wood fascia separation — fascia boards pulling away from the roof deck at corners
Soffit return deterioration — original wood soffits at roofline transitions
Open or deteriorated attic vents — older louvered vents with no screen backing
Ridge cap gaps — lifted or cracked ridge shingles on aging roofs
Siding-to-foundation gaps — common on Altoona's older brick and frame construction

A Big Brown Bat needs a gap of just 3/8 of an inch to enter. Older Altoona homes typically have six to twelve active entry points, not one. That is why single-point exclusion attempts by other companies often fail here — you have to find and address all of them.

The Exclusion Process

Pennsylvania law is clear: bats are protected under the PA Game and Wildlife Code. No extermination. One-way exclusion only. See the Pennsylvania Game Commission's official bat guidance for the rules that govern this work.

Here is what we do:

Full inspection. Interior attic assessment plus complete exterior survey of the roofline, chimney, fascia, soffits, and foundation. We document every entry point with photos.
One-way devices installed. At all active entry points — devices let bats exit but not return. This happens August 15 or later to comply with PA Game Commission maternity season rules.
Monitor period. We leave devices in place for a minimum of two to three weeks to confirm all bats have vacated.
Seal all points. After confirmed vacating, every entry point is permanently sealed using materials appropriate to the home's construction — caulk, metal flashing, hardware cloth. No shortcuts on a railroad-era home.
Attic assessment. After exclusion, we assess guano accumulation and insulation condition. On older Altoona homes, this step often leads to an attic restoration recommendation.

Cost of Bat Removal in Blair County

Inspection: $75-$100 (often waived when you book the exclusion job).

Exclusion: $400-$1,500. Railroad-era Altoona homes with many entry points typically land in the $800-$1,500 range. A newer home with one or two access points is less. We give you a real number on-site.

Attic restoration (when needed): $2,000-$6,000. See our attic restoration page for what drives that range.

PA Game Commission Licensing & White-nose Syndrome

Pennsylvania requires Wildlife Control Operators to be licensed by the PA Game Commission, and all exclusion work here is performed by licensed WCOs. Ask anyone you call to show their PA Game Commission license number. For a plain-English breakdown of the rules, see our guide to Pennsylvania bat laws.

We take White-nose Syndrome seriously. Little Brown Bats — once the most common bat in Pennsylvania — have been devastated. Big Brown Bats that survive need intact roost sites in the wild. Our exclusion work protects your home and directs bats back to natural roosts. Never extermination. Pennsylvania law and sound conservation practice both require it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What bat species are in Altoona and Blair County?

Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is by far the most common now. Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) were once extremely abundant but White-nose Syndrome has reduced their Pennsylvania population by over 90% since 2008. Tri-colored Bats are present but declining and a state conservation concern. All three are protected under PA law.

When can exclusion work be done in Pennsylvania?

August 16 through April 30. PA Game Commission restricts exclusion May 1 through August 15 to protect bat maternity colonies — young bats that cannot yet fly would be trapped inside if exclusion were done during this window. Inspections are allowed any time. Call today to schedule yours and lock in your August 15 slot.

How do bats get into Altoona homes?

Mortar gaps in brick chimneys, separation between wood fascia and the roofline, deteriorating soffit returns, open attic vents, and gaps where roof meets siding. A Big Brown Bat squeezes through a 3/8-inch gap. Altoona's older homes almost always have multiple active entry points.

Ready to get on the August schedule? Call (814) 800-3215 — inspections available now across Blair County.