Bat removal solves the colony problem. Attic restoration solves what the colony left behind. In Binghamton's older homes, the two jobs cannot be separated. A 1930s EJ worker cottage on Floral Avenue or Oak Hill that has had bats for 20 years does not just have a few bats — it has accumulated decades of guano, urine-soaked insulation, and in some cases serious fungal contamination. Getting the bats out is the first step. Cleaning up what they left is what protects your family.
We do both. We are the same crew that did the exclusion. We know the attic already.
Bat guano accumulates fast. A colony of 50 Big Brown Bats in a Binghamton attic deposits roughly 50 pounds of guano per year. A colony that has been there for 10 years — which is common in the 1920s-50s housing stock along Robinson Street, in Johnson City's Square Mile, and in the older Endicott neighborhoods — means 500 pounds of contaminated material saturating the insulation and structural wood below.
Guano-soaked fiberglass or blown cellulose insulation loses virtually all its insulating value. The smell migrates down through ceiling light fixtures and gaps into living space. Most importantly, dried guano harbors Histoplasma capsulatum — a fungal spore that becomes airborne when disturbed. Histoplasmosis is a lung disease that ranges from mild flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory failure in immunocompromised individuals. This is not theoretical. NYSDEC and OSHA treat guano cleanup as a hazardous materials operation.
Some homeowner policies cover bat-related attic damage under a wildlife or sudden damage provision. Coverage varies significantly by insurer and policy. We document everything — photos, written assessment, scope of work — in a format that supports an insurance claim submission. We can guide Broome County homeowners through this process. Ask us about documentation when you call.
Raccoon latrines in attics require specialized cleanup for Baylisascaris roundworm decontamination. Squirrel nesting and gnawed insulation need removal and replacement too. The restoration process is similar to bat cleanup — assess, remove, decontaminate, replace. The health risks are different by species but the approach is the same: we do it right, or we do not do it.
Attic restoration for a typical Binghamton home runs $2,000–$5,500. The range depends on the size of the attic, the depth of guano accumulation, whether there is structural damage, and the cost of new insulation for the space. Older homes with low attic clearance and historic construction features take longer and cost more. We quote you a firm number after assessment — no surprise invoices.
Not always — but in older Binghamton homes where bats have been present for years, we almost always recommend it. If guano accumulation is minimal, cleaning and decontamination alone may suffice. If insulation is saturated and the smell is present in living space, removal and replacement is the right call. We assess and advise honestly. We do not push restoration work when it is not needed.
Yes, over time. Histoplasma spores remain viable in dried guano indefinitely. Any disturbance — HVAC airflow, attic access, even someone walking across an older ceiling — can send spores into the air. The risk is higher for the elderly, children, and immunocompromised individuals. The right time to clean it up is after exclusion is complete, while the attic is accessible and before the next heating season circulates air through the space.
Some policies do, some do not. Coverage depends on the specific language of your policy regarding wildlife damage and whether the damage is sudden or gradual. We provide documentation that supports a claim submission. You call your insurer, we provide the paperwork. Outcome varies by policy — we cannot guarantee coverage but we can give you the best documentation to make the case.
Related service: bat removal and exclusion in Binghamton
Same crew, same site, one call. Binghamton and Broome County.
(607) 251-0096