The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is advising residents that autumn is an appropriate time to exclude bats from buildings. Native bat species in Florida often roost in natural areas such as trees and caves, but they can also inhabit human-made structures. The FWC notes that bats are protected under state law, and the only legal method for removing them from buildings is through exclusion devices. These devices allow bats to leave a structure but prevent them from returning.
According to the FWC, exclusion devices can be used without a permit from August 15 through April 15, which falls outside the bat maternity season. This timing is important because it ensures that young bats are not trapped inside buildings. “It is illegal to harm or kill bats in Florida and it is illegal to block bats from their roosts during maternity season to prevent flightless young from being trapped inside structures,” the FWC stated.
The exclusion process involves identifying where bats enter and exit a building. The devices must remain in place for at least four nights, and exclusion should only occur when overnight temperatures are forecast to be 50ºF or higher. More information on exclusion methods and tips for making homes less attractive to bats can be found at MyFWC.com/Bats by clicking on “Bats in Buildings.”
Bats play an important role in the ecosystem and economy. They help control insect populations and serve as pollinators and seed dispersers. All of Florida’s bats are insectivores, with a single bat capable of consuming hundreds of insects each night, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests.
Florida is home to 13 resident bat species, including the imperiled Florida bonneted bat. The FWC encourages residents to support bat conservation efforts by preserving natural roost sites, installing bat houses, participating in citizen science projects like counting bats for the Florida Bat Working Group, and educating others about the importance of bats. Unusual bat behavior or sightings of sick or dead bats can be reported at MyFWC.com/BatMortality.
Further details about Florida’s bats and how to assist with their conservation are available at MyFWC.com/Bats.
