How to Clean Up Bat Droppings

Finding bat droppings in your attic isn’t just an unpleasant surprise; it’s a potential health risk, and its toxic properties can cause serious damage to building materials. So, you’ll want to clean it up properly. But what’s the best way to clean up bat poop, and what risks should you be aware of?

Health risks of bat guano cleanup

Bat droppings (guano) can carry harmful pathogens, including Histoplasma fungus. When Histoplasma spores are inhaled, they can cause histoplasmosis, a nasty respiratory disease. Unfortunately, the humid environment of attics provides the ideal conditions for this fungus to grow, and Histoplasma spores spread easily once bat poop is disturbed. So, before you grab a broom and dive in, you must know the right way to clean up bat droppings without risking your health. Attic Cleanup technicians are your local experts in cleaning up wildlife waste and damage in attics, and we have over 25 years of experience in bat guano cleanup and attic decontamination. We’re here to guide you on your cleanup mission! Here’s how to clean up bat droppings in your attic.

2. Seal off the Area

To prevent guano dust (or its tiny spores) from spreading throughout your home, seal off the affected area:

• Close all vents and air ducts leading to other parts of the house to stop contaminants from spreading through your HVAC system.
• Place plastic sheeting over doorways. – Use heavy-duty plastic sheeting (at least 4 to 6 mil thick) that covers the entire doorway. Secure it using duct or painter’s tape, ensuring all edges are sealed. For added protection, create a slit entry by cutting a vertical slit in the plastic and attaching a weighted flap or overlapping layers to allow access while minimizing airflow. This barrier helps trap dust, spores, and debris within the contaminated area, reducing the risk of exposure to the rest of your home.

You will need the following equipment:

1. PPE – as listed above – but prepare spare PPE just in case!
2. Flashlight – you’ll need this if you’re cleaning up dark attic spaces
3. Disinfectant / Fungicide solution – Not all disinfectants are effective at dealing with fungal spores, so check the product information carefully. We recommend you use a 10% bleach solution or an enzyme-based solution. (Enzyme cleaners are super effective at breaking down fungal spores without releasing harmful fumes. Look for bio-enzymatic cleaners labeled for biohazard or mold remediation.)
4. Spray bottle – for applying the disinfectant solution. Only use a low-pressure spray.
5. Disposable cloths – strong enough to wipe down surfaces with disinfectant
6. Heavy-duty garbage bags – choose sealable bags
7. Scraper / Similar tool for lifting hardened droppings off of surfaces. 
8. Trash can with a well-fitting lid
9. Vacuum with HEPA filter
10. Air purifiers with HEPA filters—Commercial air scrubbing machines may be available to rent from home improvement stores and specialty equipment providers in your area.

Bat Poop Cleanup: What Not to Do

While a few dried, scattered droppings can be swept up or vacuumed up without much risk, accumulations of bat droppings should be treated with caution. And we don’t just mean big piles – Histoplasma fungus can grow in even a small accumulation of guano. So, cleaning methods should be adjusted to minimize the spread of any harmful spores.

Before you begin – take note of what you should not do when cleaning up piles of bat droppings:

How to Clean up Bat Droppings – Guano Removal Steps

Step 1: Spray the guano. Lightly mist the droppings with your disinfectant solution. This will prevent spores from becoming airborne, reducing the risk of inhalation.

Step 2: Wait 10-15 minutes. Let the disinfectant spray soak into the guano for 10-15 minutes. This allows time for the product to work and softens the bat droppings, making them easier to remove. 

Step 3: Manually remove waste—To remove piles of bat guano, first scoop up the droppings with a plastic scoop or dustpan lined with plastic bags. Then, put the guano into your trash can and keep the lid shut.

Step 4: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter – vacuum up any remaining debris and dust. 

Step 5: Seal the waste – Place the guano in a thick plastic bag, double-bag it, and seal it tightly.

How to Clean up Bat Droppings –  Guano Disposal

In some areas, bat poop is considered biohazardous waste and requires special handling. Failure to follow regulations can result in massive fines. Therefore, it’s best to check with your local health department, environmental agency, or waste management services in your area to find out how to dispose of bat guano. If the local guidelines allow you to dispose of bat waste in your usual garbage collection, ensure it is double-bagged and sealed well. Some landfills don’t accept animal waste, and in some places, bat droppings will need to be incinerated first, so it’s important to do your research! 

After Guano Removal – Decontaminate the Area

Once the waste is removed, all contaminated surfaces should be cleaned:

• Once again, use your commercial disinfectant, enzyme-based cleaner, or a bleach and water solution (containing 10% bleach). This time, apply the solution to the entire area, including wooden beams, insulation, and all surfaces.
• Let the disinfectant sit for at least 10 minutes before wiping.
• Use disposable cloths to clean surfaces.
• If insulation was contaminated by bat droppings/urine, you should remove it and replace it with new insulation. 
• Once the cleaning is complete, place all used cleaning materials in sealed plastic bags and dispose of them in the household trash.

When to Call Professional Guano Cleanup Experts

In some cases, DIY bat guano cleanup may not be safe or effective. Contact a professional guano cleanup service if:

• A large number of bat droppings is present. The larger the amount of guano, the greater the risk that Histoplasma is present. So, if you suffered a bat infestation, the safest course is to call in professional services. Our Attic Cleanup technicians perform thorough cleanup and air quality testing post-cleanup to ensure your safety. 
• The attic is difficult to access or structurally unsafe – professional attic cleanup specialists have specialized equipment and training for working in hard-to-access areas. 
• You or someone in your household is immunocompromised and at higher risk of infection. Unfortunately, the symptoms and impact of Histoplasmosis disease can be much more severe on a person who already has health problems. 
• If you are not confident that you can perform the cleanup work safely – whatever the reason, if you feel that you are unable to do the cleanup work safely or to an adequate standard – it’s best to call in a professional attic cleanup company

Professional attic cleanup specialists like our team here at Attic Cleanup have extensive training in dealing with hazardous waste. They can utilize specialized equipment and commercial-grade disinfectants to ensure the safe cleanup of bat droppings and thorough attic decontamination.

Cleaning up bat droppings in the attic is essential to maintain a healthy home, and it’s especially necessary if you have dealt with a bat infestation and have piles of bat droppings in your attic. As discussed, preparing well, exercising caution when removing guano, using proper equipment, and thoroughly decontaminating your attic area afterward is essential. We hope this article has given you all the information you need to know how to clean up bat droppings safely. But if you need help decontaminating your attic, we are ready to help. Attic Cleanup provides professional bat guano cleanup services. We will assess the damage, clean up all bat waste, and totally decontaminate the area. We can also offer air quality testing for Histoplasma spores, so you have peace of mind, knowing your home is safe and healthy again. Contact us today for help with bat guano cleanup. 

Your Local Attic Clean up Specialist,

Michael Koski