A field guide · Free to read
The Homeowner's Guide to Bat Removal in Michigan.
By Samuel Sullivan · Michigan's Bat Expert & MI Critter Control
Written for Michigan homeowners who want real answers — not scare tactics or sales pitches. Ten chapters, drawn from three decades of family experience in Oakland County attics, on Oakland County rooflines, and at Oakland County kitchen tables.
Introduction
By Sam Sullivan · Oakland County, Michigan
Bats are one of the most misunderstood animals in Michigan, yet they are among the most common wildlife issues homeowners face — especially in Oakland County and surrounding areas. Every year, thousands of homeowners discover bats in their attic, walls, or even living spaces, often with little warning and a lot of fear.
This book exists to replace fear with clarity. Most homeowners don't know that bats are protected by Michigan law, that removing them incorrectly can cause massive property damage, or that a small bat issue can quietly turn into a five-figure restoration project if ignored.
I've spent decades inside attics, on rooftops, and inspecting homes across Michigan — seeing firsthand what works, what fails, and what mistakes cost homeowners the most money. This guide is written for Michigan homeowners who want real answers. Knowledge is the first step to protecting your home.
— S.S.
Contents
Ten chapters.
The full manuscript is being serialized here through 2026. New chapters posted monthly.
- IRead →
Who I Am and Why Bats Became My Specialty
Growing up in wildlife control, and why bats demanded a discipline of their own.
- IIRead →
Why Homeowners Call About Bats
The first signs, the seasonal patterns, and the emotional weight of the call.
- IIIRead →
How Bats Get Into Michigan Homes
Quarter-inch gaps, construction weak points, and the anatomy of an entry.
- IVRead →
Bat Myths That Cause Big Problems
The internet folklore that costs Michigan homeowners the most money.
- VRead →
Michigan Laws and Bat Maternity Season
What's actually legal — and what a good practitioner will refuse to do.
- VIRead →
The Professional Bat Removal Process
Inspection, one-way exclusion, sealing, and cleanup — step by step.
- VIIRead →
Prevention and Long-Term Protection
Why the seal is the whole job, and how to keep bats out for decades.
- VIIIRead →
Cost, Value, and What to Expect
Why a $1,500 exclusion beats a $20,000 restoration — every time.
- IXRead →
Real-World Experience from the Field
Stories from Oakland County attics, and the lessons they left behind.
- XRead →
Final Advice for Michigan Homeowners
The short list of what to do — and what to never do — with bats.