If bats have invaded your attic or any other space in your home, chances are you want them gone as soon as possible. For that reason, Slug-A-Bug wants homeowners to know that Florida’s four-month no-removal period will begin soon.
Although bats are a nuisance in the home or in buildings, state wildlife laws protect these flying mammals. A yearly ban on removing bats from their habitats runs from April 15 through August 15 to cover the critical time female bats are caring for their flightless young.
Slug-A-Bug will discontinue taking appointments for bat removal after March 30.
Common bat control measures include one-way doors installed at entry points. These allow bats to fly out but restrict them from returning. Bat houses can also be helpful, giving these creatures an alternative to entering homes for shelter. Bats are an important part of the ecosystem, consuming large quantities of insect pests (including mosquitos) and depositing guano to help fertilize plant life. Fruit-eating bats help with plant pollination and seed dispersal.
Some bat species are endangered. In the United States and Canada, white-nose syndrome is especially dangerous to these animals and has accounted for millions of deaths during the past 10 years.