HY-C Blog

The Bat Blackout: What Pest Control Sales Reps Need to Know

Written by Joe Hayman / Bryan Scally | Jul 17, 2025 4:58:27 PM

If you’ve been in pest control long enough, you know there’s a season for everything. Ants in the spring. Mice in the fall. Wasps just when your customer’s backyard wedding is about to kick off. Wildlife doesn’t always follow the script. Especially bats.

Bats are a different animal. The average homeowner might think of them as Halloween decorations or cave dwellers. But if you’re getting into exclusion and/or wildlife sales, you need to understand two key things:

  1. Bats are protected in most states.
  2. You can’t exclude them whenever you feel like it.

Let’s talk about the blackout period.

If you haven’t heard this term before, let me save you from a major callback, or worse, a state fine.

What Is the Blackout Period?

In many states, exclusion work for bats is prohibited during pup season, usually from mid-May through early August. You’ll hear the phrase tossed around like an inside joke … “June and July, let them fly.” But there’s real science behind it.

During these months, female bats give birth. The pups are flightless. If you seal a home during this time without proper planning, you risk trapping juveniles inside. That leads to die-offs, horrific smells, panicked homeowners, and a damaged reputation that's hard to recover from.

It’s not just bad form. It’s bad business.

Why It Matters in Every State

You might be thinking:

"My state doesn’t have a blackout law. We can do bat work year-round."

Let me stop you right there. Just because it’s not enforced doesn’t mean it’s smart. Every state has bats. Every bat has pups. And customers don’t care what the law says if their attic smells like death and they find juvenile bats wriggling in a return vent. They’re going to blame you. Not the state wildlife agency… Not the bat…. You. That’s why professionals follow the blackout period even when it’s not required.

What Should Salespeople Do?

If you're in inside or outside sales and you're starting to quote bat work or promote exclusion services, here’s your roadmap:

Know the Season

Keep a quick-reference chart by state. Know when pup season starts and ends in your region. Most states use May 15 to August 15 as a conservative window, but this can vary.

In colder climates, you might get an extra week or two on either side. In the South, pups come early. Ask your local wildlife agency if you’re unsure.

Pitch the Inspection Now, Book the Work Later

You can inspect and quote bat jobs year around. You just can’t always close them immediately. Use this time to build trust.

“Right now is the perfect time to inspect the home and prep for the full exclusion as soon as the blackout lifts. That way, you’re first in line once it’s legal and safe to seal things up.”

Educate the Customer

Most homeowners have no clue about the blackout period. Explain the biology. Be the expert. When you say, “We care about doing this right,” you’ve just separated yourself from the ‘spray-and-pray’ crowd.

Even better: use it as a credibility booster.

“We follow the blackout period even though our state doesn’t require it. Why? Because it’s the right way to do exclusion.”

Use One-Way Doors Wisely

During the open season, one-way exclusion devices are your best friend. They let bats exit but not re-enter. But if you install them during blackout, you could be locking juveniles inside. Know the difference.

If you’re not absolutely sure all flightless pups are out, don’t seal it.

Use the Blackout Window to Sell Whole-Home Exclusion

Just because you can’t seal bats yet doesn’t mean you can’t get started. This is prime time to pitch exclusion work that also keeps other animals out … and builds trust with the homeowner. Focus on:

Roof VentGuard Installs

Fast, durable, and made from steel. HY-GUARD EXCLUSION Roof VentGuards fit right over existing vents and block raccoons, squirrels, and bats before they move in.

Gable and Soffit Screens

HY-GUARD EXCLUSION Gable and Soffit Vent Screens protect high-entry areas without restricting airflow. Flying squirrels and birds also love these spots …don't give them a chance.

Chimney Cap Upgrades

Draft King and Big Top chimney caps are an easy upsell and a must for attic exclusion. They keep out raccoons, birds, and debris while improving draft control.

Dryer and Bath Vent Protection

The Code-Compliant Dryer VentGuard also keeps birds and rodents out while maintaining airflow. Stainless steel versions are available for coastal and humid zones.

Pest Armor for the Roof Ridge

Ridge vents are a common bat entry point. Pest Armor “Z-Mesh” kits seal the full ridge line without disrupting ventilation … a clean, long-term solution.

These are all entry points for other animals like squirrels, birds, raccoons. It keeps your crew busy and builds value with the customer.

“We’ll handle the bats the minute the blackout lifts. In the meantime, let’s button up the rest of the home to keep anything else from moving in.”

Why This Matters to You

Sales reps who understand the blackout period win long-term. You’re not just selling a service. You’re building trust. You're showing you understand the science, not just the script. And you’re positioning your company as the go-to expert when the real work begins.

Bad exclusion work gets callbacks. Good exclusion work builds maintenance contracts.

Smart exclusion work builds a career.

Final Thought

You don’t get a second chance with bats. Do it wrong, and it’s a mess. Do it right, and you’re a hero. Learn the blackout period. Respect the season. And use it to your advantage.

Because at the end of the day, being a wildlife pro isn’t about having the flashiest gear or the biggest truck. It’s about knowing when to act and when to wait.

Let them fly.