Home Inspector Found Bats or Carpenter Bees? Do This
Home Inspector Found Bats or Carpenter Bees? Do This
Your home inspection comes back, and tucked into the report are two findings you were not expecting: evidence of a bat in the attic and carpenter bees boring into the wood near the roofline. Suddenly a smooth closing feels complicated, and the clock is ticking. The good news is that both issues are common, both are solvable, and handling them correctly can keep your transaction on track. Here is what these findings mean and exactly what to do next.
Why These Two Show Up Together on Inspection Reports
It is no coincidence that bats and carpenter bees often appear in the same report. Both are drawn to the upper exterior of a house — the eaves, soffits, fascia, and roofline — where gaps and exposed wood give them exactly what they need. A thorough inspector examines that zone closely, which is why these two findings tend to surface together, especially on older homes throughout Connecticut. Treating them as one coordinated project is usually the most efficient path forward.
Bats in the Attic: What the Report Means
A bat finding is not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to act carefully. Bats can leave behind droppings (guano) that require proper cleanup, and their presence points to an opening somewhere in the structure that needs to be sealed.
You Can't Just Remove Them — They're Protected
Bats are protected in Connecticut and cannot legally be trapped or exterminated. They must be humanely excluded using one-way devices, and only during specific windows of the year — never sealed inside, especially when pups are present. This is precisely why a do-it-yourself fix is not an option here. For the immediate dos and don'ts, see our guide on what to do first when there's a bat in your house, and learn who to call for bat removal and why it matters.
Carpenter Bees at the Roofline: More Than Cosmetic
Those perfectly round, dime-sized holes in fascia, trim, and eaves are the work of carpenter bees, which tunnel into wood to nest. People often confuse them with other bees, so identification matters.
The Damage Compounds Over Time
Left untreated, carpenter bees return to the same wood year after year, expanding their tunnels and weakening the structure. They also attract woodpeckers, which tear into the wood to reach the larvae and cause far larger, more expensive damage. For a real estate transaction, that means a small finding can become a bigger repair line item if it is ignored — which is why buyers and inspectors flag it.
What to Do Before Closing — Buyer or Seller
Whether you are buying or selling, the playbook is the same: get a professional assessment quickly, get the work documented, and keep everyone in the loop.
Move Fast and Get It in Writing
Schedule an inspection right away so you have a clear scope and timeline before key contract dates. Documented, professional treatment reassures buyers, lenders, and attorneys, and a clean record of the work keeps negotiations simple. We help homeowners navigate exactly this kind of deadline — the same way we do for buyers dealing with a WDIR finding (see our WDIR termite inspection guide for CT home buyers) or sellers handling wood-destroying insects (our selling-your-home warranty and timeline guide).
Don't DIY a Real Estate Pest Issue
With a closing on the line, this is the worst time to improvise. Sealing a bat entry yourself can be illegal and can trap animals inside; spraying carpenter bee holes with a store product rarely reaches the larvae and leaves the structural question unanswered. Working at the roofline is also genuinely dangerous. Our article on the dangers of DIY bee and wasp removal explains why these jobs belong with licensed professionals — and a documented professional fix is what your transaction needs anyway.
Real Estate Pest & Wildlife Help in Waterbury, New Haven & Litchfield Counties
We work with buyers, sellers, realtors, and attorneys on time-sensitive inspection findings throughout Waterbury and across New Haven County — including Cheshire, Wolcott, Naugatuck, Prospect, and Middlebury — as well as Litchfield County towns like Watertown, Woodbury, and Thomaston. From bat exclusion to carpenter bee treatment to the documentation your closing requires, we handle it as one coordinated job. Curious what the first visit looks like? Here is what to expect during a free inspection.
On a Deadline? Let's Keep Your Closing on Track.
Inspection findings do not have to derail a sale. ProSource will assess both issues, lay out a clear plan, and document the work so everyone at the table is satisfied. Most jobs are booked within 24 hours , and every service is backed by our money-back guarantee — fast, professional, and built around your timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
My inspector noted bats near the roofline — what does that mean?
It usually means bats are roosting in the attic, soffit or eaves. Bats are protected, so removal has to be done legally and at the right time of year, which makes professional handling important — especially on a closing timeline.
What about carpenter bees near the roofline?
Carpenter bees bore round holes into wood fascia, trim and eaves to nest. The holes weaken the wood over time and attract woodpeckers, which enlarge the damage chasing the larvae.
Can both be resolved before closing?
In most cases, yes. We move quickly — most jobs are booked within 24 hours — and provide clear documentation so the findings can be addressed before your closing date.
Are bats and carpenter bees handled the same way?
No. Bats require humane, legal exclusion and sealing of entry points, while carpenter bees are treated and their galleries sealed. A single visit can assess both.
How do I get this looked at fast?
Call (203) 405-9856 for an inspection. Pest inspections are free in our service area, and we’ll lay out exactly what each finding needs before any work begins.
Call or text (860) 419-6369 or request an inspection online today. If it bugs you, bug us.
