Bat Removal from a Historic Railroad Roundhouse in Hugo, CO

You can learn more about the Hugo Union Pacific Roundhouse or support their cause by visiting the website here: Huge Union Pacific Roundhouse.

When the Hugo Union Pacific Roundhouse caretakers discovered signs of bat infestation, they faced a challenging situation. This century-old landmark required specialized attention to address the wildlife problem while preserving its historical integrity. Bluetick Pest & Wildlife Control was called in to develop and implement a solution that would respect both the structure's heritage and the bats' protected status in the State of Colorado.

Overview of the Bat Problem at the Hugo Union Pacific Roundhouse

A Look at the Historic Site

The Hugo Union Pacific Roundhouse is a testament to Colorado's railroad heritage. Built in the early 1900s, this semi-circular structure once served as a maintenance facility for steam locomotives traveling through eastern Colorado. With its aging infrastructure, including original brickwork, wooden beams, and metal fixtures, the roundhouse represents an important piece of American transportation history.

The building's historical significance made addressing the bat infestation particularly challenging. Any pest control measures must avoid damaging the original materials or altering the building's historic character. State historic preservation guidelines added another layer of complexity to the project, requiring all work to maintain the structure's authenticity.

Why Bats Are Common in Old Buildings

Historic structures like the Hugo Roundhouse create perfect environments for bat colonies. These buildings offer multiple entry points through:

• Deteriorating mortar between bricks
• Gaps in wooden eaves and fascia
• Unsealed vents and chimneys
• Cracks in foundations and walls that have developed over decades
• Loose or missing roof tiles and shingles

Bats are particularly attracted to older buildings because they offer stable temperatures, protection from predators, and minimal human disturbance. The roundhouse's high ceilings, dark corners, and relatively undisturbed environment created ideal roosting conditions for several bat species native to Colorado.

Challenges of Removing Bats from Historic Structures

Balancing Pest Control and Preservation

Removing bats from any building presents challenges, but historic structures require an exceptionally delicate approach. The Blue Tick team needed to:

1. Identify and document all bat entry points without disturbing the building's historic features
2. Install exclusion devices that would be effective without damaging original materials
3. Seal entry points using period-appropriate materials that maintained historical authenticity
4. Clean accumulated guano and sanitize affected areas without harming sensitive surfaces or structural elements

Our technicians worked closely with a historical preservation consultant to ensure all methods complied with wildlife protection laws and historic building conservation standards. This collaborative approach ensured the roundhouse would remain structurally sound and historically accurate after removal.

Why Experience Matters for Commercial and Historic Bat Removal

Health, Legal, and Structural Risks

Bat infestations in historic buildings present multiple concerns beyond the immediate nuisance. Health risks arise as bat guano can harbor dangerous pathogens, including the fungus that causes histoplasmosis, a serious respiratory disease. Legal complications emerge because bat species are protected by state and federal laws, with strict regulations governing their handling and removal.

Structural damage is another concern since accumulated guano is highly acidic and can deteriorate building materials over time, which is particularly concerning in irreplaceable historic structures. Additionally, improper removal methods can violate historic preservation guidelines, potentially resulting in significant fines or loss of historical designation status.

At the Hugo Roundhouse, we discovered guano accumulation in several locations. By addressing the infestation before it became worse, the site managers likely prevented more extensive—and expensive—restoration needs.

Hiring a Professional Wildlife Control Team

The roundhouse project demonstrated why specialized expertise is essential for bat removal from historic structures. Unlike standard pest control situations, this project required:

• Knowledge of both wildlife biology and historical preservation techniques
• Experience working within preservation guidelines
• Specialized equipment designed for sensitive applications
• Understanding of the legal framework protecting both the building and the bats

Many general pest control companies lack this specialized knowledge, potentially causing more harm than good when dealing with historic buildings. Blue Tick Pest & Wildlife Control's team includes expert wildlife specialists, ensuring the best outcome for the building and its unwanted inhabitants.

Contact Us for Professional Bat Removal

Bluetick Pest & Wildlife Control offers the specialized expertise to manage a historic property, commercial building, or sensitive structure with bat issues. Our approach balances effective wildlife management with respect for historical integrity and structural preservation.

Contact our wildlife specialists at 720-394-6335 for a consultation. We'll evaluate your situation and develop a customized bat removal plan that addresses your needs. For historic structures, we offer specialized assessment services that include preservation-focused recommendations and documentation for historical records.

Don't trust your historic building to companies without specific experience in heritage structures. Bluetick's proven track record with projects like the Hugo Roundhouse demonstrates our commitment to excellence in pest control and historic preservation.