Once a hurricane leaves behind the kind of catastrophic destruction that Hurricane Michael delivered in northwest Florida, it’s critical to focus on the safety and recovery of the people involved. As many folks deal with major damage to their homes, apartments, and businesses and try to recreate familiar routines of school, work, and family life, what’s going on with wildlife is not at the top of their “to do” lists. While cleaning up after a hurricane, it’s generally best to give them space and leave them alone. However, you need to look out for wildlife trying to make a home in your home as you have repairs done. Specifically, while having roof repairs done, you need to watch out for bats.
If you happen to be dealing with a damaged roof, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has advice that may be useful. When having repairs done or a new roof installed, make sure to seal all cracks and any other openings. You will also want to cover your roof’s air vents in ways that won’t allow bats to get in. Bats can remarkably get into openings even as small as 3/8 of an inch.
Florida’s bats are important parts of our natural ecosystems and help keep down the populations of mosquitoes and other insects that cause damage to our health and crops, but you don’t want them living and breeding under your roof in an attic or crawl space. Keeping bats out of your home or business now will keep you from having to evict them later. The Florida Administrative Code includes rules for bat evictions, also referred to as exclusions. The rules not only prohibit evicting bats during their maternity season, which is from April 16 through August 14, but also prohibit capture and relocation of bats since their exceptional homing abilities lead them back to you after relocation. The code also forbids harassing or harming bats using toxic substances, lights, or sounds.
If you think bats may have begun roosting in your home, check for light brown stains around possible bat entry points, bat droppings, and odors. You can also watch for bats leaving your roof from sunset until dark. If bats are living in your home, then you should start the exclusion process. The FWC has a video and lots of information on how to exclude bats from buildings. Go to: MyFWC.com/bats, and then click on Bats and Buildings. You also can check out Bat Conservation International’s ideas and do-it-yourself ways to keep them out by going to batcon.org.
Putting up a bat house in an open space in your yard, apartment complex, or near your business can be another effective way to help keep bats out of your house or building. You can buy one or build one. Information on building, buying and installing a bat house can be found at batcon.org. For how to live with bats as your neighbors, check out the FWC’s “A guide to living with bats.”
Many wild animals, including bats, likely lost their homes during the storm as many trees fell. If you are in the process of having your roof repaired or have recently had a new roof installed, check for signs of bats roosting in your home. Learn how to safely evict these unique, incredible creatures, or hire a professional to do it for you. Consider installing a bat house to provide a new home for this important part of our ecosystem and have a new set of neighbors who could help reduce the insect population around your home. Remember to look out for wildlife as the animals work to recover from the storm as well.
Diane Hirth
Habitat and Species Conservation Division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission