Florida’s annual bat maternity season begins on April 16 and continues until August 14. During this period, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued a reminder that April 15 marks the final day residents can exclude bats from buildings without a permit. The exclusion of bats is legally restricted during maternity season to protect flightless bat pups from becoming trapped inside structures, which could be hazardous to both humans and bats.
The FWC emphasizes that exclusion devices are the only legal method to remove bats from buildings. These devices allow bats to exit structures safely but prevent their return to roosts. Outside the maternity season, from August 15 to April 15, exclusion devices can be used legally without a permit. During the bat maternity season, permits are necessary to employ these devices.
The guidelines for excluding bats have been developed to ensure humane and effective removal. The process requires identifying entry and exit points and installing exclusion devices on key exits, which must remain in place for at least four nights under specific temperature conditions.
Bats play a crucial role in both ecological and economic contexts as insectivores, with a single bat capable of consuming hundreds of insects each night, including mosquitoes. Bats also contribute to pest control and act as pollinators and seed dispersers. Florida is home to several bat species, some of which are endangered, such as the Florida bonneted bat.
Residents interested in supporting bat conservation are encouraged to preserve natural roost sites, leave dead palm fronds for bat roosting, install bat houses, and use native plants in landscaping to attract pollinators. The public can report unusual bat behavior at MyFWC.com/BatMortality and engage with conservation efforts through the Florida Bat Force.
For more details about safely excluding bats or making homes bat-proof, individuals are directed to MyFWC.com/Bats, where additional assistance is available through FWC Regional Offices. Information on contributing to the thriving bat populations in Florida is also accessible online.