BatBnB Pest Control Update | Shark Tank Season 10

Mosquitoes were getting worse, and bats, one of the best ways to control them, had fewer places to live. Chris Rannefors and Harrison Broadhurst came up with BatBnB, a simple wooden box people can put up outside to give bats a safe place to sleep and raise their young. Will the sharks invest in this backyard solution? Let’s find out in our BatBnB update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to BatBnB after Shark Tank.

Chris and Harrison entered Shark Tank Season 10, seeking $100,000 for 16% equity in their anti-pest accessories. After their pitch, they accepted a deal from Kevin O’Leary for $100,000 for 33.3% equity.

In terms of a BatBnB update, the company gained national recognition through features on Innovation Nation, How I Built This, and Forbes 30 Under 30. Despite not landing retail or licensing deals, BatBnB has grown to around $1 million in annual revenue.

Shark	Result
Kevin O’Leary	Accepted offer of $100,000 for 33.3% equity
Daymond John	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer
Robert Herjavec	No offer
Mark Cuban	No offer

Shark Tank BatBNB Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Chris Rannefors and Harrison Broadhurst
• Business: Anti-Pest Accessories / Bat Houses
• Ask: $100,000 for 16% equity
• Result: $100,000 for 33.3% equity
• Shark: Kevin O’Leary

Chris and Harrison kicked off their pitch by talking about the rise of mosquito-borne diseases like the Zika virus.

They explained how warmer winters were causing mosquito populations to grow. Most people turned to pesticides, but pesticides are costly and harmful to the environment.

That’s where bats come in. According to the founders, a single bat can eat over 1,000 mosquitoes per hour.

Their solution, BatBnB, is a durable, weather-resistant bat house that mimics a bat’s natural habitat.

Each unit includes chambers and grooves for bats to grip, climb, and raise their pups. It attaches to a house, barn, or pole, and is made from rot-resistant cedar.

The product gives bats a safe home while helping people naturally control backyard pests.

Chris explained that BatBnB worked not just for homes but also for farms and public properties.

To drive the point home, they brought out a live bat named Radar, along with a handler named Melinda.

Kevin O’Leary voiced a concern about the type of bats the houses might attract. He mentioned vampire bats.

Chris quickly clarified that those aren’t found in any of BatBnB’s target markets, which include the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

When the sharks asked about sales, Chris shared that they had earned $135,000 in just 11 months. They also expected to make another $10,000 the following month.

The product got its start through crowdfunding. Each unit costs $88.50 to manufacture and sells for $239 at retail.

Despite the mission-driven pitch, four sharks passed. Robert Herjavec, Mark Cuban, Daymond John, and Lori Greiner all bowed out.

They either saw the business as too small, too educationally demanding, or not a good fit.

Kevin, however, stayed engaged. He admitted he liked bats and saw potential in the product’s story. He offered $100,000 for 33.3% equity.

Chris and Harrison countered with 25% equity. Kevin pushed back, saying he wanted more influence but promised a strong promotion in return.

Eventually, Chris and Harrison agreed to Kevin’s terms. They accepted his offer and left with a deal.

You might be excited to hear about our BatBnB update to see how the company’s been doing, as it’s been relatively smooth sailing since appearing on Shark Tank.

Shark Tank BatBnB Update

Our BatBnB update found that the deal with Kevin O’Leary never closed.

It reportedly fell apart during due diligence, likely due to disagreements over valuation and long-term direction.

After the show, the company saw a spike in attention. They were featured on How I Built This, Innovation Nation, and earned a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30.

They also launched BirdBnB, expanding beyond bats into new backyard wildlife products.

Though they didn’t secure any major retail or licensing deals, BatBnB scaled its online store, introduced new models, and partnered with universities and conservation groups.

Further, our BatBnB update found that their bat houses are now sold in all 50 U.S. states and in 13 countries. Prices range from $175 to $375, with bulk packs reaching over $700.

The company grew steadily through direct-to-consumer sales and educational outreach.

In 2020, Fast Company gave them an honorable mention in its World Changing Ideas Awards.

Christopher now works as VP of Sales at Squarespace while continuing to lead BatBnB as co-founder.

At the time of this writing, the company reports around $1 million in annual revenue.

If we get any more information on the company, we will let you know in our next BatBnB update.

You can find the other company updates from Season 10 Episode 23 here:

• Coyote Vest Update
• Quickflip Update
• Fat Shack Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 10 products.