They’re good for the environment — but many people are uncomfortable with their presence. They’re bats, and for a few months, you won’t be able to remove them from your home without a permit. With the arrival of maternity season, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding residents of the rules.

It can be an inconvenience for people, but the measure is meant to protect species during their maternity period. Although the season starts March 16, residents can remove bats without a permit through April 15.

From April 16 through Aug. 15, anyone who wants to remove any of Florida’s 13 native bat species using exclusion devices must have a permit.

Protecting their young

According to the state agency, the rules are intended to prevent flightless pups from being trapped when bats are blocked from returning to their roosts — a situation that can pose risks for both the animals and people. The FWC also reminds residents that it is illegal to injure or kill a bat.

Florida officials say bats are highly beneficial animals. “Florida’s bats are insectivores, with a single bat eating up to hundreds of insects a night, including mosquitoes and other garden and agricultural pests”, the FWC says.

The agency adds that globally, bats help with “pest control, and as pollinators and seed dispersers, and their guano can be a valuable fertilizer.”

Legal bat removal

The FWC says the process of removing bats safely and effectively involves several steps, beginning with identifying entry and exit points. “To legally exclude bats, exclusion devices must be installed on key exit points, left up for a minimum of four nights and the exclusion must be conducted when the overnight temperature is forecasted to be 50ºF or above”, the agency said.

Ways to protect bats

Preserve natural roost sites, including trees with cavities or peeling bark.

Leave dead fronds on palm trees to provide roosting spots for bats.

Install a bat house on your property.

Add native plants when landscaping your property to attract native pollinators and benefit bats.

Do not bring equipment clothes, or shoes that have been in caves in other states in Florida’s caves.

Report unusual bat behavior and sick or dead bats to MyFWC.com/BatMortality.

Other FWC resources

In addition to visiting MyFWC.com/Bats and clicking “Living with Bats,” the agency recommends contacting the nearest regional office if you have more questions, so you can speak with a biologist who can help.