Neighbor News
Bats in home will have to stay if they aren't removed soon
Removing bats from homes is not allowed during April-August mating season
An important milestone is quickly approaching for Tampa homeowners who have bats in attics or damaged rooflines that could allow bats to enter the home. Beginning April 16, there are restrictions that prevent bats from being removed from homes during their protected mating season, which lasts until August 14.
“With the protected mating season quickly approaching, it’s important that homeowners address these issues now,” said Brad Pitts, regional vice president for Arrow Environmental Services, a leader in sustainable pest and lawn services throughout the Southeast. “Once April 16 arrives, bat colonies that have babies present cannot be removed from homes unless they are present in the homeowner’s living space.”
During the protected season, bats gather to give birth and raise their young. The end of the season is timed with when the state believes young bats can fly and feed themselves. According to the state of Florida bat exclusions are illegal during the maternity season in order to prevent young bats that cannot fly from being trapped inside of structures and dying.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Unfortunately for homeowners with baby bats in their attic, the colony will continue to grow during the protected season,” said Pitts. “That’s why it’s important to address this issue before the protected season begins.”
It is common for bats to have several roosting sites throughout the year. Once established in an area, bats will return. If not addressed, bat infestations can cause property damage and health problems for people in the home. For instance, the accumulation of bat droppings and urine can result in damage to insulation and sheet rock, which can be costly to repair. In the most serious cases, it can cause major structural damage.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Furthermore, bat droppings can cause a number of health concerns. The most serious is histoplasmosis, a potentially life-threatening infection contracted by breathing in the spores of a fungus found in bat droppings.
Homeowners should look for signs of a bat infestation on the exterior of their home to ensure they have time to remove bats before April 16. Warning signs include droppings coming out of attic vents – where bats typically roost – and wood discoloration from the oil on their skin. Homeowners may also hear faint scratching noises coming from their attic or smell the pungent aroma of bat feces, which smells like ammonia.
“If a homeowner suspects that bats have taken residence in their attic, they must act fast,” said Pitts. “The longer the stay, the larger their colony will grow. And with the protected season approaching, it’s important to remove them before the state’s deadline.”
Professional pest control companies that offer wildlife exclusion services, like Arrow Environmental Services, can inspect the home for signs of bats and safely remove them before mating season.
To ensure that bats cannot enter the home during the protected season, homeowners should also make prevention a priority. Pitts recommends that homeowners inspect rooflines and seal any entry points larger than three-eighths of an inch, as this is all the space bats need to enter the home. Building a bat house for your property is also a good way to deter bats from entering the home.
For more information, visit www.arrowservices.com.
About Arrow Environmental Services
Arrow Environmental Services is a leader in sustainable pest and lawn services around the Southeast, building on a family tradition established more than 100 years ago. Arrow offers residential and commercial pest control, termite control, insulation services, lawn and shrub pest control and fertilization, tree and palm care, and irrigation services in west and central Florida. We guarantee customer satisfaction to the fullest extent, “period.” For more information, visit www.arrowservices.com.
About Environmental Pest Service
Environmental Pest Service, LLC is a leader in sustainable solutions for termite and pest control, and lawn care services in the southeast, building on a family tradition established more than 100 years ago. The company has six brands: Arrow Environmental Services in west and central Florida, Bug Out Service in north Florida, Skyline Pest Solutions in the metro Atlanta area, and Smith Exterminating and Wood Termite and State Pest Control in central North Carolina. For more information, visit www.environmentalpestservice.com.
