by Denise Wauters
I had no idea Florida bats had a maternity season. Did you?
As of April 16, it is illegal in Florida to exclude bats from any building or structure until August 15. During these months, bat pups are being born and raised. Block a roost right now and you could trap flightless young inside a wall or attic. That’s bad for the bats — and bad for you.
Here in the Everglades, bats are doing us a real favor. These “mosquito-eating machines” can eat anywhere from a few hundred to 1,000 insects in a night. Anyone who has spent a summer evening out here knows exactly how valuable that is.
Florida has 13 native bat species, including the Florida bonneted bat, which is listed as endangered. They roost in trees, caves, and yes, sometimes your attic or boat shed. Leaving dead fronds on palm trees, installing a bat house, and planting native plants all help support local bat populations and help keep them out of your building.
If you’ve got bats in your house or business, the only legal option during maternity season is to wait it out, or apply for a permit. Outside of maternity season you can use exclusion devices to let bats exit a structure without being able to return.
If you discover bats in a structure this summer, the FWC recommends contacting your closest regional office to speak with a wildlife assistance biologist. You can also find exclusion guidelines and more information at MyFWC.com/Bats.
You may also be interested in The Manatee — Florida’s Gentle Giant or Be a Holiday Hero for Nesting Sea Turtles and Shorebirds.
