As the weather warms up, homeowners can finally start inviting guests over for pool parties, family reunions, and barbecues. But if they aren’t careful, certain guests might take advantage of their seasonal hospitality with an extended stay. Bats, for example, can infest a residential attic, spread disease, and rack up a ton of expenses — and homeowners only have until April 15 to legally get them out before bat maternity season starts. If you are dealing with a bat infestation, here are some facts you’ll need to know to help resolve your bat problem without breaking the law.
What Are the Harmful Effects of Bats?
Having bats in your home puts your entire household at risk of contamination. Bats carry dangerous bacteria that can cause infection, disease, and other health hazards. Additionally, bat guano is incredibly unsafe to clean, as it can release airborne toxic spores that carry histoplasmosis — a dangerous respiratory disease.
When Is Bat Maternity Season?
Bat maternity season each year runs from April 15 to August 15. It is the time of year when female bats roost and raise their bat pups. Bats typically search for shelter in a warm, safe spot where they can comfortably nest and spend the remainder of the season. These critters most often take up space in caves or hollow trees, but they can just as easily wind up roosting in your attic if they find their way inside. Unfortunately, once the season starts, you won’t be able to legally remove bats from your home until mid-August. This is because multiple bat species in Florida are endangered, and state laws protect these animals by preventing homeowners from separating female bats from their pups. Disturbing, harming, or killing, accidentally or otherwise, a protected bat can result in severe penalties ranging from steep fines to jail time.
How Do I Secure My Home Against Bats?
To avoid the harmful effects of a bat infestation, you must first identify the places that bats are using to enter your home. These areas most often include fixtures like:
- Low-quality chimney caps
- Window screens
- Damaged siding
- Soffits
- Shingles
Once you’ve figured out the places that bats use for entry, seal them with durable materials like wire, sealant, and mesh. Repairing points of entry will not only keep bats out, but it will also protect your home from other tiny critters. However, if you overlook just one single entry point, you could undo all of your bat prevention progress. That’s why the best way to protect your home for bat maternity season is to make a call to your local, trusted animal control specialist.
When Should I Remove Bats?
The right time to remove bats and protect your home is right now. The licensed wildlife removal technicians at Critter Control® of Tampa will safely exclude bats, restore damage to your attic, and repair each entry point around your residence.
Safe and Effective Bat Removal Services Near You
At Critter Control® of Tampa, our licensed and trained bat exclusion technicians are equipped and experienced to humanely and legally remove invasive bats from your home or business. For more tips on how to protect your home from bats during bat maternity season, call Critter Control® of Tampa today at (813) 948-0870 and schedule an inspection to receive a free bat exclusion estimate.
