FLORIDA — As bat maternity season is over, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding people to exclude bats from homes and other structures this fall.

What You Need To Know

  • As bat maternity season is over, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding people to exclude bats from homes and other structures

  • Florida has 13 native and beneficial bat species

  • Using exclusion devices is only legal from Aug. 15 through April 15, which is when bat maternity season is over

Florida has 13 native and beneficial bat species, and although they normally roost in caves, trees and other natural spaces, they may also be drawn to human-made structures, according to FWC.

Using exclusion devices is only legal from Aug. 15 through April 15, which is when bat maternity season is over.

“Exclusion devices, which allow bats to exit a structure but block them from returning to roosts, are the only legal and appropriate method to remove bats from your home or building. It is illegal in Florida to kill or harm bats, so exclusion guidelines were developed to ensure bats are removed safely and effectively from buildings outside of maternity season,” stated FWC.

FWC added that the bat exclusion process takes multiple steps, which includes identifying potential bat entry and exit points in a building and leaving exclusion devices up for a minimum of four nights. The exclusion must take place when the overnight temperature is forecasted to be 50ºF or above.

View additional details on how to exclude bats.