Helena · Lewis and Clark County
Bat removal in Helena, Montana
Careful bat exclusion for the Queen City's historic homes.
Bats and Helena homes
Montana's capital grew out of a gold-rush camp in Last Chance Gulch, and it shows in the housing: about 22% of Helena homes were built before 1940 — the highest share of the six cities we serve. Historic brick, stone, and wood-frame homes need exclusion work that seals gaps without damaging original materials.
Local bats & habitat
Montana has 15 confirmed bat species. The two most tied to buildings are the little brown myotis — the most common bat in the state — and the big brown bat, which readily uses attics, walls, and other man-made structures. Both are found across Montana. The Helena Valley sits near the Missouri River and its reservoirs, and the surrounding mountains — long mined — hold the caves and old mine workings Montana bats use in winter.
Helena animal control & health contacts
Public agencies — not us. Call them for an animal emergency, a possible exposure, or rabies testing.
Helena Police Department — Animal Control / Urban Wildlife
Animal control and urban wildlife inside Helena city limits
Officers are reached through the dispatch center during business hours; outside business hours a patrol officer may be able to assist.
Source ↗Lewis and Clark Public Health
Lewis and Clark County's health department — possible bat exposures and rabies guidance
Open Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM. Duty Officer for emergencies and after hours: (406) 523-5564.
Source ↗Helena housing stock
More than one in five Helena homes predates 1940. On historic homes we look at masonry joints, chimneys, attic and eave vents, and decorative trim, and we choose sealing materials that suit the original construction.
- Housing units
- about 16,600
- Median year built
- 1974
- Built before 1980
- about 58%
- Built before 1960
- about 36%
Built before 1940: about 22%. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates (see sources).
When bats can be excluded in Helena
The same statewide FWP timing applies here. See how our exclusion process works or the Montana bat guide.
Apr–Aug
Maternity season — no exclusion
FWP: never exclude bats May through August, when flightless young may be inside. FWP's exclusion guidance treats April 1–August 31 as the default maternity period.
Sep–Oct
Best exclusion window
By September the young can fly. Fall, before bats settle in to hibernate, is FWP's preferred time to exclude.
Nov–Mar
Hibernation — inspect & plan
Many bats winter in caves and mines, but big brown bats sometimes hibernate in buildings. Don't exclude bats hibernating in a structure.
Helena bat removal FAQs
Who do I call about a bat in my Helena home?
Helena Police Department's Animal Control and Urban Wildlife officers are reached through dispatch at (406) 457-8866 during business hours. For possible human exposure, call Lewis and Clark Public Health at (406) 457-8900, or the after-hours Duty Officer at (406) 523-5564.
Can you bat-proof a historic Helena home without damaging it?
Yes — that's the goal. About 22% of Helena homes predate 1940. We seal gaps with materials suited to the original masonry and woodwork, and install one-way exclusion devices that come off cleanly once the bats are out.
When should bats be excluded in Helena?
FWP advises never excluding bats from May through August, when young may not be able to fly. Late summer into early fall is ideal, before cold weather sets in.
What if bats are in my house in winter?
Big brown bats sometimes hibernate in buildings. FWP's guidance is not to exclude bats in winter if they're hibernating in the structure, so we confirm activity first and schedule exclusion for the right season.
Are Montana bats protected?
FWP describes Montana's bats as state-protected nongame wildlife and recommends humane exclusion timed outside the maternity season. Trapping isn't recommended, and no toxicants are registered for bats in Montana.
Nearby service areas
Sources
- Helena Police Department — Animal Control / Urban Wildlife
- Lewis and Clark Public Health
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates via Census Reporter — Helena, MT (tables B25034/B25035)
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks — Living With Bats
- Montana Field Guide — Little Brown Myotis
- Montana Field Guide — Big Brown Bat
- MSU Extension — Bats in Homes
- Montana DPHHS — Rabies
Phone numbers and agency roles were checked against the linked pages in November 2026. Agencies change numbers — confirm on their site if a call doesn't connect.
Bats in your Helena home?
Humane bat removal and exclusion in Helena and Lewis and Clark County. Call or send a request and we'll set up an inspection.
Or email wildlifespecialistsgroup@gmail.com