Got bats? Removing bat infestations in Florida becomes illegal in less than a week
Those bats living in your attic, barn or shed? You've got less than a week to do something about them while it's still legal.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, after bat maternity season begins Wednesday, April 16, you won't be able to touch them over the summer without a permit.
The 13 native species of creepy-yet-cute warm-blooded mammals are protected by state law in Florida and most of them give birth and raise their young between April 16 until Aug. 14 every year. During that time, it is illegal to prevent them from returning to their roosts to prevent flightless young bats from getting trapped inside structures.
That means if they're living with you after the middle of April, get used to house guests.
Outside of maternity season, bats can be removed with exclusion devices or one-way tunnels that allow them to leave an enclosed area but don't let them come back in. The use of exclusion devices without a permit during bat maternity season is also illegal.
Bats are a beneficial part of the local ecology. They eat insects, keeping them out of your yard and also saving farmers billions in pest control, the FWC said. They serve as pollinators and seed dispersers and their guano can be a valuable fertilizer.
"Florida's bats are insectivores, with a single bat eating up to hundreds of insects a night, including mosquitoes and other garden and agricultural pests," the FWC said.
That doesn't mean you want them taking up residence in your attic, though. The guano smells, the noise can be annoying, they may cause structural damage, and there is a risk of transmission of diseases such as rabies.
The most common way is with the exclusion device.
Identify the potential entry points and seal them with caulk, mesh screening or other materials. Install exclusion devices on exit points where they've been getting in and leave them there for at least four nights when the overnight temperatures are forecast to be 50 degrees or move.
Once you're sure all the bats are out, remove the devices and seal up those holes. You should also carefully clean and disinfect the area where they were roosting.
You can find more tips on ridding yourself of single bats or entire colonies here. It may be advisable to call an expert.
Bats are good for the environment and some native Florida species such as the Florida bonneted bat are endangered. Your best bet is to keep your house sealed (inspect it regularly for developing entry points) and offer alternative housing. The FWC recommends:
Preserve natural roost sites, including trees with cavities or peeling bark
Leave dead fronds on palm trees to provide roosting spots for bats
Install a bat house on your property
There are several ways you can help support bat conservation.
Add native plants when landscaping your property to attract native pollinators and benefit bats
Report unusual bat behavior and sick or dead bats to MyFWC.com/BatMortality
Volunteer with the FWC's Florida Bat Force, a program that promotes bat education, conservation, and stewardship
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida bat maternity season means you soon can't remove bats
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