The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued a reminder to the public about the optimal time for excluding bats from buildings. While Florida's 13 native bat species usually roost in natural settings, they sometimes seek shelter in human-made structures. With the end of bat maternity season on August 15, it is now permissible to exclude bats from homes and other buildings.
During maternity season, it is illegal to block bats from their roosts to avoid trapping young bats inside. However, after this period, exclusion becomes viable as young bats have been weaned and can fly independently. The legal window for using exclusion devices runs from August 15 through April 15.
Exclusion devices allow bats to exit but prevent them from returning to their roosts. This method is both legal and effective in removing bats without harming them. In Florida, killing or harming bats is prohibited, so these guidelines ensure safe removal outside of maternity season. The process involves identifying entry and exit points in a building and leaving exclusion devices up for at least four nights when temperatures are forecasted above 50ºF.
Bats play significant ecological roles by controlling insect populations and aiding pollination and seed dispersal. All of Florida’s bat species are insectivores; one bat can consume hundreds of insects each night.
Florida hosts 13 resident bat species, including threatened ones like the Florida bonneted bat. To support bat conservation efforts, residents can join initiatives such as becoming part of Florida’s Bat Force by sharing information about the importance of bats or preserving natural roost sites.
Residents are encouraged to install bat houses as alternative roosting spots and volunteer with FWC or participate in citizen science projects like counting emerging bats from houses. Reports on unusual behavior or sick/dead bats should be made via MyFWC.com/BatMortality.
For more details on excluding bats safely or tips on making homes less attractive to them, visit MyFWC.com/Bats under "Living with Bats." Additional resources on helping Florida's bat population thrive are also available there.